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 Joe, a physics and astronomy teacher at Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, lives with his wife, Stacey, and his four daughters, Belinda, Teresa, Zipporah, and Eliora. Joe and Stacey are expecting their fifth child in October 2008. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Joe attended Carroll College in Waukesha, WI, and studied both cognitive psychology and physics. Joe later completed his Master's degree in Education at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse, WI. After having taught in rural Oostburg, WI, for two years, Joe sought employment in Manitowoc. In the eight years that Joe has taught in Manitowoc, he has been heavily involved in outreach events to bring space education to the community while continuing to learn more himself. In the Fall of 2003, Joe began experiencing difficulties with his health. Doctors and researchers across the country have been enlisted to help diagnose and treat Joe's condition, but their efforts have only been partially successful. Joe suffers from a rare genetic condition that affects his esophagus creating difficulty with swallowing and causing him constant, severe pain. Joe has been able to remain gainfully employed and enjoy life with his family, though, thanks to a combination of medication, a surgically-implanted neurostimulator connected to his spinal cord, and a variety of psychological relaxation techniques. After a four-year hiatus, Joe has returned to continue his work with NASA as a Solar System Ambassador in addition to his public-speaking engagements as a motivational speaker, helping others to better cope with adversity by sharing his own experiences.
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