My Story

My life has been focused on rigorous and challenging education since I was a little boy. That focus has kept me a lifelong learner.

Early Years 


My parents, Barbara and Will Hardy, didn’t have a chance to finish high school because of life circumstances. They encouraged my sisters Frances and Vanessa along with me to at least graduate high school, if not graduate from college.   

After Vanessa and I were born in Buffalo, NY, our parents bought the Childcraft encyclopedia set. This started a love of reading that all three of us carried into our adult years. Sadly my sister Frances passed away at age 22. Vanessa and I are still avid readers.

Elementary School

My family moved to upstate South Carolina in the middle of my third grade year. My new teacher gave me a reading test my first day of class. She stopped me after I read three paragraphs and said “You’ll be in the highest reading class.” That started me on the path for what is now called a gifted and talented student.   

The next year I changed schools again and exhibited behavior toward my 4th grade teacher Ms. Buchanan that would now have me assessed as an EBD (emotional behavior disability) student. Among other negative behaviors I threw a book at her, talked back to her and regularly got into trouble.

On the last day of school I missed my school bus ride home. A car pulled up a few minutes later and it was Ms. Buchanan, who offered me a ride home. As I was riding, I felt guilty and apologized for all the trouble I had caused her. Ms. Buchanan said something that totally shocked me, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I realized that a great teacher can see potential in students who may be a “troublemaker.”

Junior High

In my 7th and 8th grade years I had many great teachers touch my life. None greater than my 8th grade English teacher who is one of my two all-time favorite teachers, Mrs. Foster. She challenged me to not settle for average school work, a philosophy I still live by. She has retired now, but is just as feisty about the current state of public education in the South and across the US as she always has been.

High School

I had two high school experiences, private and public. I spent 2 ½ years with Seneca High School and 1 ½  with Mount Pisgah Academy, a church-based high school. I had many teachers who challenged me to excel academically and to not limit myself in my post secondary or career aspirations.   

My most influential teacher is my other all-time favorite teacher, Mrs. Ross. She took me under her wing when I returned to Seneca High for the second semester of my sophomore year and encouraged me to read and to keep up my creative writing. We still have those conversations along with talking about education issues I face as a school board member.

Post Secondary

I fulfilled my parents’ ultimate dream for us by earning a BA in journalism at the University of Texas-Arlington. I went on to complete the coursework for my MS in technical communication at the University of Minnesota. I plan to get a PhD. in some area of education soon.   

This is all part of my parents’ teaching—to never stop learning and to believe in myself. My sisters and I were told to know we could succeed despite racism or other negative words or actions we faced. We were taught to pursue lifelong learning for ourselves and others.

Implementing My Education

Along with my educational background, I have worked in a career path focused on educating colleagues and clients.

I have 20-plus years experience in information technology as a technical writer and editor, trainer, and project analyst. I currently work for U. S. Bank as a project analyst. I team with project managers to help drive projects on the ATM side of the business.

I have been blessed working for excellent business leaders in companies such as Burlington Northern Railroad, Ecolab, Target, Ameriprise Financial and SUPERVALU.

I also had a fantastic opportunity to use my journalism degree at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in the sports department, combining two of my top passions, sports and writing.

I have served on many boards focused on education including Resources for Child Caring, Education and Housing Equity Project, American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society.

I also work to empower others through Toastmasters International where I have served as the Minnesota-northwestern Ontario district governor and facilitated more than 20 Youth Leadership programs. I brought a Toastmasters adult education program called speechcraft to Twin Cities RISE!, where it is now a core class for TCR! participants.

Empowering Others

I share my passion for education with others. I live out the philosophy that Abileen shared with Mae Mobley in The Help, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Every student in St. Paul Public Schools is a great young leader. They are intelligent enough to have high academic success. And they are important to the success of their family, our schools and our world.

I advocate for youth. I teach youth as a community teacher. I listen to youth. And I get other adults involved in empowering youth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!