Dan Leppold grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Penn State with a BS in earth science and an MS in Geoscience. While at Penn State, Dan worked as a teaching assistant for classes in soils and geology and a research assistant for studies on climate change. After graduation, he worked as a professional geologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but felt teaching was his true calling. After completing his teaching certification at West Chester University, Dan accepted a position at Lampeter-Strasburg High School as a science teacher, and later moved to Spring-Ford High School in Royersford Pennsylvania. He coached volleyball at Wyomissing High School before moving on to the collegiate level at Penn State Berks Campus. Mr Leppold's interests include volleyball coaching, mineral collecting, hiking, surfing, astronomy, and photography. His photos have been featured in magazines and newspapers, and he is currently photographing model trains for an author in Pittsburgh for an upcoming book. Dan resides on a 15-acre horse farm with his wife and three cats.