Rama_Bonn's Profile

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Location:Scottsdale Arizona

Last Seen:on 17/11/2008

mindful Since:August 2007

I have lived in Arizona for seventeen years now, however Southern California is the place I will always think of as “home.” I grew up in the land of Disneyland, just old enough to remember every new attraction opening. Orange County was once agricultural, and culturally quite different from the land of movies and angels that lay north of us in LA.

I earned my Bachelors degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, specializing in Psychology. I then earned my Master’s degree in Management from the UC Irvine campus. That was back in 1979. I continued two years of graduate psychology in California beyond that point but I never finished my thesis.

I operated my family business for many years: Child care centers. At one time the family business included 35 centers in seven western states. I have operated child care programs most of my life. I was awarded a contract by the Arizona Department of Education to open and operate a Kindergarten through 6th grade charter school system in Arizona. Five campuses reported to me until I closed these programs in the year 2000, due to financial problems.

Besides financial issues, small business requires a manager to be responsive in many areas. I’ve had to become a generalist with competencies in human resources management, training, computers, government relations, legal issues and real estate. With my involvement in Toastmasters, I’ve become proficient in public speaking and public relations.

I have a son and a daughter, ages 19 and 11; I’ve been married to my wife 27 years. Carolyn earned her doctorate in Music in 2001, specializing in viola performance. Several years ago, I decided to study the clarinet - I specialize in the bass clarinet. My favorite musical contractor has hired me for a concert in three weeks backing a chorale ensemble. I have also had the thrill of being the narrator for public performances of Peter and the Wolf.

I have a few other achievements that I’m proud of:

I earned my Nidan rank (second degree black belt) in the Japanese art of Aikido; I have earned a distinguished service award for more than ten years of leadership within District 3 Toastmasters I think that my temperament is well-suited for academic study. I enjoy the process of learning - so I decided I should get credit for my efforts. I have several doctorates in my immediate family, so I decided that my turn had come to pursue my doctoral degree. I am now in my fourth year of study in the field of Leadership and Management. My dissertation is now under way, and I look forward to collecting original data later this year.

My research interest involves the leadership contribution of military veterans in high school settings, especially with graduates of the federal Troops to Teachers program. This study would look at the leadership benefit of military personnel who become credentialed schoolteachers.

I hold these values of primary importance to me, authenticity, support for individual freedom, and creative expression as a profound part of life.