Prior to working full time at the largest Independent Study high school in the Greater Long Beach area, Joel Ward owned four small businesses (property management, personal training gym, and two automotive repair companies), worked as a full-time Activity Director/ASB Specialist at five different high schools in two states, and presented on ASB best practices on multiple occasions, including the California Association of Directors of Activities and the Colorado Athletic Directors Association. Joel earned his teaching degree in recreation management and political science from Brigham Young University (BYU), history credential from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and masters and educational specialist degrees in Leadership from the American College of Education. Joel continually volunteers his time as the event and/or fund-raising coordinator for a variety of non-profit institutions. His greatest passion has been connecting schools to families and families to schools, and helping the homeless and visiting the incarcerated.