11 Chapter 11

Bill Quistorff

My name is Bill Quistorff. I have now completed my coursework for my program in Educational Leadership and Sport Management.  I am a former college football Head Coach and am currently working hard to complete my capstone to catapult me into a more employable position for fulltime coaching positions at four year universities.  I received my Bachelors in Physical Education from Bemidji State in 2010 and have worked in the Rochester School District for over six years as a paraprofessional, Learning Disability/Extreme Behavioral Disorder Special Education Teacher and a Physical Education Teacher.  In the last semester of my coursework, I have had the pleasure to have Dr. Holmes as my professor in LDRS 614 – Change Leadership.

The purpose of this letter is to help you become successful in this class by learning from the perspectives and experiences that I acquired during my time as a member of the Change Leadership course.  This experience has shown me many different tools that are crucial to my individual growth as a leader and also as a person.  Dr. Holmes is a professor that I will always remember as someone who has impacted me as a leader by the way she displays herself as a very powerful and intelligent leader.  In this class, you will be challenged to step outside of your comfort zone on a regular basis.  I found that even near the end of my program this is something that I need to continually push myself to take head on while portraying myself as a confident, intelligent and passionate leader.  This course will push you to “embrace the unknown” which truly resonated with me.  At the start of this course I was slightly intimidated by the open criticisms that your perspectives as well as your writing will undergo.  Once I learned to embrace the unknown and take it all in stride as a confident leader who is willing to learn and evolve, I felt very much at home in this class.  My other main piece of advice is to not hesitate to contact your classmates as well as your professor.  They are right there beside you to help, support and guide you through this process.  By taking this class you show that you are already a leader who is passionate and dedicated to reaching your full potential in your field of expertise. This class and Dr. Holmes will aid in giving you the capabilities of being able to evolve and adapt your leadership style while being able to self-reflect and refine your individual leadership style.

I will conclude this letter by reminding you to challenge yourself by being open and asking questions to both your peers and your professors.  I would not be where I am without their guidance, understanding and support throughout my time in this program.  Collaboration is key to not only becoming a great leader in your own right, but it is even that much more important in your learning process to become the leader you project yourself to be.  Be open to the journey, embrace the unknown, and when you feel overwhelmed, remember that you are not the only person in that position…….we are all going through a challenging time in an effort to better ourselves for the future; do not give up!