My name is Tom Foley and I was born in Graceville, Minnesota, a very small town of around 600 people. My parents are Bill and Ruth. I have two sisters, Allison and Lisa, and one brother James. My sister Lisa is married to Brian Merritt and they have a son and a daughter, Hunter John and Bailey Marie. For me, my family is very important and they are people that I can lean on when I need help and support, no matter where I am in my life.
I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall, MN in December of 2009. After graduation from SMSU, I have completed a five (5) week long term sub position where for two (2) weeks I taught 7th and 8th grade math as well as Biology and Chemistry. The last three (3) weeks I taught 7th and 8th grade math as well as Integrated Algebra 3. Since the long term sub poisition, I have been subbing as needed in a wide variety of teaching positions as well as a paraprofessional.
I graduated with honors from Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley High School in 2005. While in high school, I played baseball and football, and I also videotaped boy’s basketball games. Anybody who knew me at sporting events knew me as the loud person who was always cheering for my team. My biggest complement came when a fan from a different school came up to me and knew my name and told me that I was a very loud, but respectful fan.
I decided to become a math teacher because when I was in high school, many times during study hall and before and after school I was being asked questions on the homework when the teacher was not available to help. Even as a college student, I was helping people with their math homework a couple of times a week wherever I was living or over the phone. I also enjoy working with kids to help them learn many of different topics.
Baseball as anyone who knows me is a very big part of my life. My favorite accomplishment though, is during my senior year. My high school team had a losing record, but was able to come back in the playoffs and become sub-section runners up. We lost in the semifinals of the section tournament to the number one seeded team in which we lost in extra innings on a walk off hit. Being a former Head Baseball Coach and an Assistant Baseball Coach for the local summer recreation team, I was able to work with kids from ages 6-16 teaching the player’s different levels of baseball. Coaching baseball I have kids come up to me and ask me questions about there own baseball styles, in which I can help them personally one-on-one. This alone makes me feel fulfilled because baseball is a major part of my life
Sports in general are a major part of my life. I enjoy watching young men and women have the chance to play the game. During student teaching, I had the chance to be a volunteer Junior High Football coach. This time was a great experience for me as I was able to start getting to know my students before school started and I was able to get back into coaching. During this time coaching, I assisted wherever I was needed to coach, which helped diversify my knowledge of the game as well.
During my college career, I worked for University Public Safety. During this time, I was promoted from officer to Sergeant and then from Sergeant to Lieutenant. During my tenure at University Public Safety, I had the chance to work with many excellent people and I enjoyed learning about many different cultures. Also, I was able to help people when they needed help. Because of this, I am now volunteering with the ambulance service in Graceville. I started as a First Responder Driver and recently I have became a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT-B) I not only have a big responsibility working for University Public Safety, but I know that in an emergency that I can help people in need. 
