These things actually happened in my classroom — The one thing about teaching that you can count on is to expect the unexpected. I realize it sounds a little cliche to say that, but when those kids come walking through your classroom door with all their issues and baggage, you don’t know what is going to happen next. …

I am the kind of reader you want as a follower. — Why aren’t more people reading my articles? How can I get my writing in front of more people? Should I submit to publications or self-publish? What tags should I use? How important are they? How often should I write? Are my titles catching people’s eyes? Should I write about a…

It is the ultimate anti-authority story — 47 years ago this week the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was released to theaters. Based on Ken Kesey’s book of the same name, it shows life inside an “insane asylum” with biting humor and sadness all mixed together. It is the story of a man named Randall…

It is a question worth asking — I don’t hear as much about Black Lives Matter as I used to, and when I do, it isn’t always the same message. I still remember the first time I ever heard someone say the words. …

Common sense is the key to success — I recently spoke with a younger person who was just accepted into the training program to become an assistant manager at the store where I do a side gig. Over the years, I have held a number of side gigs in retail, and I have worked for quite a few…

I was an apprentice to a master — My dad could fix anything. When I was growing up, a common scene around our house was my father fixing anything that needed fixing. This might involve a car repair, a plumbing repair, or changing the spark plug in the lawn mower. …

There is a whole world I rarely see — I have been working most of my life, beginning in 1974 at the age of 16. I’m one of those people who rarely calls in sick and always shows up on time. It is a rare day I leave work early. I worked cleaning cottages and in a bakery when…

Conservatives have been dragged into the future kicking and screaming — One result of the 2022 midterm elections is that the Democrats will remain the majority party in the Senate, but they will relinquish control of the House of Representatives. Joe Biden can breathe a sigh of relief, but not because the Democrats have remained in control of the Senate. …

How much longer can she go on like this? — Mother Earth is a single mom. I think if the Earth had a human name, it would be Irene. …