MATHEW ASTROM
Global Experience Trading
832 Elmwood Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091
mathewastrom@yahoo.com / 224-500-8681
At GETrading, you can avoid the hassles of Facebook and the fees of eBay while working with a reliable and trustworthy guy. A real person, not a faceless seller online and with BETTER PRICES than eBay too!
Want to trade instead of buy? Let’s get in touch. Want to sell your raw collection? Let’s talk.
No matter what sort of deals we work out, I will give you full disclosure and my 100% satisfaction guarantee … If you’re not fully satisfied with our exchange within two weeks of delivery, mail the cards back to me for a 100% refund! No questions asked (unless it’s going to help me do my job better).
My roommate thought I was a dreamer. A professor at Penn claimed I was a romantic idealist born of a different era and thought I was just the type that was needed in a classroom. Those friends in the profession who know me as “Fearless Leader” watched my career over the years and wondered how did that happen?
My teaching career began with a thirst for academics, an adventurist spirit, and the desire to improve the conditions around me. I am the type to jump right in. With teaching, I knew quickly that I was in the right place because I liked children and could communicate well with them. My first job teaching Science and PE to tiny people in a tiny elementary school showed me that I simply needed finding the right subject matter and age group.
History is was, and the high school audience was my best fit. Mission accomplished. Twenty-five years later and a world of educational experiences in my backpack, I am poised for the next adventure - GLOBAL EXPERIENCES TRADING.
A long time ago, in what seems like a galaxy far, far away . . .
Oak Hall High School, Class of 1991
Members of our original “Posse” at the AP World History reading in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2011 - “Fearless Leader” on the right, dynamic teachers one and all.
So what do I do, and how have I gotten to where I am today? That is not an easy answer, nor is tracing the journey and miles over the years. Or as Indiana Jones says, “I don’t know… I’m making this up as a I go.” My definition of a dream job is to get paid for what you enjoy doing, and so here I am.
Ultimately, I try to make one good decision after another - whether that’s deciding to move to a new country or which card to buy or sell. I weigh the information in front of me and the experience behind me and then pull the trigger. Mistakes along the way - a few, no doubt! Once-in-a-lifetime moments and a collection of personal treasures (including friends and student success stories) - more than I can count.
Now if I could only figure out how to navigate this post-COVID midlife crisis I seem to be stuck in …
The Blur of 2020:
The Astrom Squad in quarantine upon returning to the U.S. from Santo Domingo. Bleary-eyed from the travel, but the lessons must go on!
Teaching about Bay life in the Chesapeake
TCHS Living History Club portraying a squad of the 17th CT Vol. Infantry at the Battle of Resaca, FL, 2010
Exploring the Great Pyramid of Giza with the boys, Egypt, 2012
Par 3 at Katamaya Dunes in Cairo, Egypt, 2012
White Desert safari, Western Sahara, Egypt, 2012
"Teachers" championship softball team in Maadi, Egypt, 2012
On photo safari at the Sarova Mara Game Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya, 2013
Running late for train in Munich, Germany, 2013
Hiking the Gaisberg in Kirchberg, Austria, 2013
Visiting the mortuary temple of Queen Hapshepsut, near Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt, 2013
First week in Shanghai, China, 2014
Winter holiday in Hoi An, Vietnam, 2015
Bucket list visit to Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, 2016
The week's residence on Antelope Island in Utah during an APWH summer session
Exploring Mayan ruins near Tulum, Mexico, 2015
On holiday in New Zealand, 2016
Visit to Bangkok, Thailand, 2015
Golfing with the CMS Squad at Guavaberry Golf Club, Dominican Republic, 2018
Touring Bath and Cambridge, England, 2018
Cruise stop in Granada, 2019
Revisiting Washington, D.C., 2019
Presentation night at the AP Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 2019
Summer roadtrip to the City of Brotherly Love
One last round at Teeth of the Dog, La Romana, DR, 2020
Visiting with the cheerleaders of Juan Marichal Stadium in Santo Domingo
Baseball with the fam in the D.R.
Catching up with Tim Tebow at a minor league game in St. Lucia
Back of the ambulance with this little one ... long story!
Chatting up Tatis, Jr. at a All-Star softball game in the D.R.
Vladdy, Sr. and me between games at the Guerrero softball classic celebrating the 80th birthday of Juan Marichal
Somewhere between Florida and Illinois during the Covid move
Visiting Dangerous Danny Marino at the HOF
Sasquatch ballgame in Spearfish, SD
"I'm gettin' too old for this $%!t."
Coach Wags and me suiting up one last time for the Alumni Game at Penn
Impromptu Winter holiday with family to Park City, 2021
Pilgrimage to Lambeau Field, 2022
Family Weekend at the U. of Minnesota, 2022
Winter Holidays in Forida 2021
Delivery of first card submission to SGC, 2023
Cleaning cards in the Colonel's mobile lab, Key West, 2023
