Mr. Bodak
Where are you from and where have you lived?
I was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. I was a ‘lifer’ at Ridgeview, attending from 2006 as a kindergartener until I graduated in 2019.
Where did you attend college or university?
I studied at Princeton University, where I received a B.A. in Chemistry and a Certificate in Teacher Preparation. I have also studied STEM at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and organic chemistry at Stanford University.
What kind of reading do you enjoy most?
Parallel to my scientific interest in examining nature runs my desire to explore the soul. In pursuit of such a goal, I have found the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky to be especially interesting and profoundly life-changing. In particular, I enjoy works such as Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov, where literature, philosophy, and theology collide, as well as works such as Alfred Tauber’s Science and the Quest for Meaning which attempt to bridge the perceived gap between science and philosophy.
What are the small essentials that make life more comfortable?
As Hemingway once said, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
What are your favorite snacks?
Chief of all my pursuits is my shameless love of dessert, with my entirely objective and irrefutable classification of Ben and Jerry’s “The Tonight Dough” as the king of all desserts (with an honorable mention for my wife’s baking, of course).
What do you do to unwind?
Growing up in the stunning foothills of Colorado, I developed a profound appreciation of the beauty and intelligibility of nature. Not only does such an appreciation inform and fuel my passion for science, but it is also reflected in my favorite pastime activities, which include hiking, camping, and various shooting sports. Additionally, I enjoy playing games with my friends and family, and even pride myself on my boardgame collection.
Why have you chosen to teach at Ridgeview specifically?
The excellent instruction and potent philosophy of education that I experienced during my time at Ridgeview made a lasting mark on me, inspiring me to pursue education vocationally, and eventually leading me to join Ridgeview’s upper school science faculty in 2023.