Samuel grew up in Custer, South Dakota and was interested in STEM and Space from an early age. In high school, he took all the computer science classes he could take and participated in state physics competitions. As an undergrad, he participated in research through the Montana Space Grant Consortium, researching integrated cavity output spectroscopy and ozone concentration as a function of altitude using a mass interferometer. As an engineer, he took great pride in using math and science to solve problems in my community. Now, as a teacher, he hopes to give his students the skills and inspiration to use math and science to solve the problems they will see.