Name: Nathan Kraftcheck
Position at UWGB: Instructional Technologist
Summary of what you do: Most people that I work with are familiar with the education technology support side of my job, but I’m also responsible for examining new edtech products made available by UW-S, making different systems work together, providing training and guidance, evaluating the effectiveness of software and initiatives, and helping instructors with special educational technology requests.
How long have you been employed: This will be my 6th year at UWGB.
Brief history of employment with UWGB: I started working at the Learning Technology Center (LTC) shortly before it became part of Academic Technology Services (ATS). I jumped over to the Adult Degree Program (ADP), and much more recently the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). I also live in a world of acronyms.
Three words that describe you: insightful, curious, chameleon
Personal interests: endurance sports, board games, video games, motorcycles, fixing up my house
Random facts/interests: Hmm, I helped deliver my son (we didn’t make it to the hospital), am a trained forester, and had a forest fire named after me in Washington (it was a smoking stump).
Any favorite line from a movie? “Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.”
Are you messy or organized? Merganized – somewhere in-between
Describe what you were like at age 10. I was a jerk. I’m glad my kids did NOT grow up to be just like me like my mom said they would.
Do you have an office nickname? What is it? Kraftbucket, Kraftmuffin, Kraftbarn
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work? I was helping someone, took a drink of water, and spilled on myself. I thought it would be funny to reference the movie Airplane and said “I have a drinking problem.” The person I was working with did not understand the reference. It got somewhat awkward after that.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? Jared Ward, so that I could run fast AND have an awesome mustache.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? Present, Jake Gyllenhaal; future, Sam Elliot
If you could change one thing about working here, what would it be? Air condition the locker rooms at the Kress… ugh
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be? I’ve never interviewed a dead person and I like to try new things, so I guess I’d try that.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? “A Series of Fortunate Events” and hopefully I would not be sued.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be? “Everything’s Coming up Milhouse!”
If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save? Pants, or a phone
Least favorite Food? Cauliflower
People would be surprised if they knew: My wife and I renovated our whole house ourselves, we keep pet chickens, I’m in my 30s but both my kids are in high school
Tell us a little about yourself. I live in De Pere with my wife and our two children, three dogs, two cats, and four chickens.
What books are at your bedside? The Worldly Philosophers, The Maltese Falcon
What children’s character can you relate with most? Why? Probably Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. Not that I’ve killed anyone, but I think that people often go through the motions of their daily life without considering their actions, being guided by their own personal echo chambers. He’s a good reminder for me to stop and reflect on what I’m doing or saying.
What did you want to be when growing up? A fireman
What do you always want to try and never did? Wingsuit base jumping
What do you like most about your job? I think that I have great coworkers. I’ve had quite a few jobs and moved around more than most normal people, and it is really a person’s coworkers that make work enjoyable.
What is the first concert you attended? The first concert I remember attending was The Rembrandts at Summerfest (Friends theme song). It was free and I didn’t have any money, and we were just loitering around anyway.
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery? I’d probably buy or build a lodge out in the middle of a forest.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? Carpe diem
What is your biggest pet peeve? Oh geez, I have so many… people throwing cigarette butts out the window or littering in general.
What is your favorite movie and book? I don’t have a favorite movie. My favorite book is probably “Guards! Guards!” by Terry Pratchett.
What places have you lived in? Sacramento, Carbondale, IL, Two Rivers, Mishicot, Madison, Sun Prairie, Portland, De Pere
What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? I have no shame. The only shows I watch regularly are Game of Thrones and House of Cards.
What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child? “The Monster at the End of This Book” with Grover.
What would people never guess you do in your role? Slip instructional design knowledge bombs into technical trainings
What’s on your bucket list? Compete in and finish a half iron man or iron man
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Probably chocolate covered grasshoppers.
Where is your home town? I lived in Two Rivers the longest. I can smell the fish just thinking about it.
The UW System is excited to introduce a new interactive benefits decision tool, called ALEX. ALEX is a personalized benefits counselor and can help you understand the benefits options that may be best for you and your family.
