St. Augustin Physical Education

Meet Mr. Samuelson

This is my fourth year teaching at St. Augustin Catholic School and my sixth year teaching overall. I serve as the Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director.

I graduated from Simpson College in 2016 as a non-traditional student. Before teaching, I worked in the IT healthcare industry. During that time, I realized that sitting behind a desk had taken a toll on my health. I committed to making a change, completed the P90X2 program, and lost nearly 50 pounds. That experience not only transformed my life but also opened my heart to God’s calling toward education - specifically Physical Education. I’m passionate about helping students build healthy habits early so they don’t have to wait until adulthood, like I did, to make those changes.

What I enjoy most about teaching: One of the best parts of my job is getting to teach every grade level, from kindergarten through 8th grade. I love seeing how students develop and grow year after year. But the moments that stand out most are when students share the healthy choices they’re making - whether that’s trying new foods, being more active outside of school, or encouraging their families to join in.

About my family: I live in Norwalk with my wife, Polly, and our three daughters: Penny, Madelyn, and Gwyn. Our household also includes three dogs - Archer, Lana, and Willow - along with one very old but beloved cat, Nemo, who is 17 years old.

 

 Outside of school I enjoy: 

Recently, I am enjoying 3D modeling and printing, and tinkering with small electronics projects. I like playing PC games such as PEAK with my kids, and other games like Satisfactory and Subnautica. I’ve been known to be a bit of a “hobby hopper” - diving deeply into new interests, learning as much as I can, and then moving on to the next challenge. Past hobbies have included woodworking (furniture, toys, odds & ends), mycology (growing gourmet mushrooms), gardening, beer brewing and winemaking, keeping aquariums, and even an appreciation for cigars. I also like experimenting in the kitchen - from grilling to making homemade vanilla extract to creating low-carb recipes that fit my lifestyle. In addition, I volunteer with the Iowa League of Heroes and help manage their website, supporting the group’s mission of bringing superheroes to local schools, hospitals, and community events.