A few days ago I received a letter our 25-year-old son sent to the staff of the museum where he has worked since he was 14.  He worded so many things that I felt the homeschooling community at large should read, I asked him if I could share his letter. 

So... almost 11 years ago, on July 3, 1995, a goofy homeschool kid at the age of 14 started his first day at some science centre across from USF.  He thought it would be a cool thing to do for a while, you know, supplement his education at home, make new friends, gain valuable work experience... Very quickly after that he joined this programme called the YES! Team, and a year later he became part time staff.  By the time he was 16, he was doing the shows in Science Works Theatre, by 17, he was helping write the shows... at 18 he went full time as a Lead Interactor, then as Early Childhood Specialist, then as Group and Outreach Programmes Coordinator.  If his calculations are correct (Al Peche will let you know if they aren't) he has done over 7,000 classes, shows, demos, workshops, birthday parties, campins, special events, tours, outreaches, speaking engagements, and "wanna see something cool?"s. 

Five years ago, he discovered that he had an amazing passion for something else, racing.  No, not NASCAR, these cars turn both ways.  He became instantly very involved in the sport of Sportscar Racing, spending the last four years working on the side with the Viper GTS-R and Pagani Zonda in the international endurance racing scene.  If you've heard of the 24 Hours of LeMans (that's in France), then you know what I'm talking about.  If you haven't, then go look it up.  It's cool.  This passion has turned into priority...

And here we are today... That kid turned into me.  And yes, I'm still goofy.  Stop laughing, I'm not done.  The past decade of my life that I have spent here has been indescribably wonderful.  Through ups and downs, good times, bad times, through flooded floors and packed lobbys, new buildings coming, old ones going, special events, demos, constants, changes, and constant changes... it's been a wild, but incredibly awesome ride.  And now it's time to make a new change.  My last day as a full time MOSI employee will be Friday, March 3rd.  I will be staying on for a while as a part-time employee, to help train newcommers, as well as continue teaching certain programmes.  Gotta get my teaching fix somehow, lol.  Quitting cold turkey is hard they say! 

So where to next?  A partner of mine and I have started our own company, called P1 Groupe, a full service Drivers and Teams Management Company.  (Think Jerry McGuire, but with racing)  Eventually I also hope to be apart of putting together and American-designed LeMans-winning programme.  Always wanted to take on the rest of the world... I am also going to do some Management and Sports Marketing at the Sports + Field Professional Training Facility in North Tampa for a while.  There is no way I could ever thank everyone enough for all that each and every one of you have done for me both professionally as well as as a person.  I literally have "grown up" here at this Museum, and this institution will forever have my respect, support, and loyalty. 

Don't be surprised to see a racing-science exhibit designed by me come your way down the road... Anyway, thank you again to everyone who made my stay here something to remember.  You are all more than coworkers, you are friends, and always will be.

Godbless, Godspeed, and Finest Regards,
Jeff Easterling

The next day he sent me the link to a press release for his new company.