Bleak Beginnings
After moving into an upscale suburb, Tim's family fell into the clutches of sporadic poverty. The stresses and misfortunes of life forced their way into Tim's once loving home. Mental illness and alcoholism drove a rift between his parents, ushering in years of debilitating emotional and physical abuse for both him and his younger sister. After suffering a series of traumatic brain injuries, Tim was diagnosed with a learning disability and his life began spiraling towards disaster. Strife, substance abuse and suicide attempts plagued those he loved, while a series of personal failures ensured a bleak outlook for his own future. By the time he was an adolescent, Tim's helpless indiscretions began to usher in the inescapable consequences of the powerful negativity in his life. A near-deadly encounter as a teenager finally forced him to confront the cataclysmic consequences of the life he had been given and the mindset he had accepted.
Turning Point
The tragic circumstances of Tim's childhood had placed him on an inescapable collision course with disaster. When that collision came, it miraculously revealed both the mentors and mindset Tim would need, if he was to have any chance at survival. The harrowing, but inspirational story that followed stands as a tribute to the power of human redemption, and reveals undeniable proof that there are no 'lost causes'. Tim stepped away from the misfortune and mangled mindset that life had given him. He graduated high school and worked minimum-wage jobs to earn his way through community college; graduating with a 4.0 GPA. The once-failing student went on the earn multiple college degrees, all with educational honors, and all with perfect GPA's. After overcoming learning disabilities, adverse childhood experiences, personal indiscretions and a crippled self-perception, Tim eventually accepted hope, forgiveness and determination as his new path in life.
In Valor There Is Hope
DEVOTION TO OTHERS
In a remarkable turn of events, Tim began to follow in the footsteps of those who had helped him confront the biggest failures in his life. He began volunteering, performing community service and eventually felt the calling to protect and serve those who had given so much to him.
Tim's Unique Legacy?
Tim completely inhabited his role as a leader within his community. He taught in the local schools, headed volunteer organizations and administered youth leadership programs. He knew most residents by name, and they knew him as someone they could count on unconditionally in their time of need. Over the span of 20 years, Tim's community erected several public displays of gratitude in his name. Several still stand today.
REMARKABLE RESULTS
In 2011, a U.S. flag was flown over the nation's capital in honor of Tim's public service. He has been the subject of multiple senate citations, congressional resolutions and formal ceremonies. He has consulted with law enforcement officers across America and in several foreign countries. Today he is a sought after conference keynote and continues to train personnel in the Law Enforcement, Educational and Recovery fields. He is also a frequent school speaker.
What's Tim Doing Today?
Timothy Shoemaker is the managing member of MpoweredParent L.L.C.
School & Youth Programs
Tims compelling story instantly strikes home with kids of all ages. The life-lesson's he's learned lend perfectly with many of the wellness and character education initiatives of today. He currently tours schools, camps and youth conferences across the country, speaking on a number of topics.
Parent & Community Programs
Tim has multiple professional certifications, a Masters degree and several graduate certificates. Combined with decades of unique experience and a powerful personality, he delivers extraordinary educational events on a number of topics.
Professional Development Programs
Tim has taught many thousands of police recruits and in-service personnel on a wide range of topics. Certified by the Division of Criminal Justice, he also instructs educational, school, recovery and community service personnel on a number of professional development topics.
Motivational Conference Keynotes
Tim has keynoted several state and national conferences, welcoming attendees with an inspirational message of hope, unity, productivity and resiliency. Using engaging graphics, music and wit, Tim is always as entertaining as he is empowering.
Notable Clients:
The Peck School
The Pennington School
Dwight Englewood Academy
The Deleware Military Academy
Don Bosco Preparatory H.S.
MetLife
Fairleigh Dickinson University
NJ Association of Student Assistant Professionals
PA Association of Student Assistance Professionals
100+ K-12 Schools across America and dozens of organizations.
Curriculum Vitale
Timothy Shoemaker, M.S. is a multiple-time Summa Cum Laude graduate and former member of MENSA. He holds several graduate certificates and dozens of professional training certifications. He has been honored as both the U.S. National Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer of the Year, and the New Jersey State DARE Officer of the year. Tim has received awards from multiple professional organizations in both education and law enforcement, and has been formally recognized by members of the state and national government. In 2011, an American flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Tim's distinguished public service.
Tim has partnered with dozens of organizations, both domestic and internationally. He has personally spoken at several hundred K-12 schools, college campuses, corporate events & leadership seminars, and he has keynoted several respected professional conferences. He holds over 40 Trade Certifications and is a graduate of the F.B.I. Leadership and Supervision Course. Before retiring from law enforcement, Tim was credentialed by the Division of Criminal Justice and served several years as a Lead Instructor at a NJ police academy.
Tim spent more than 10 years in primary/secondary education. His passion today remains focussed on the development of K-12 student wellness and family support services. His efforts center on the development of cutting-edge student educational events that pursue powerful wellness objectives in exciting new ways. (Download Printable Copy)
Personal Story
Tim's passion for primary/secondary education was forged in his bleak but inspirational beginnings. A series of unfortunate events and impositions cast a shadow over much of his childhood. Sporadic poverty, traumatic injuries, substance abuse and other adverse events splintered his family and ushered in a self-destructive adolescent mindset. Fateful interventions from local heroes in the school & police department rescued Tim and resurrected his outlook on life. Tim credits these local heroes for saving his life, and wishes more than anything to pay their meaningful legacy forward.
Today a humbling assortment of public plaques, dedications and resolutions stand as tribute to Tim's pursuit of the legacy that was once gifted to him. Yet he is proudest when standing alongside the parents and public servants who today fight for the future of our youngest generations. (Click to learn more about Tim's story & biography.)