Cheese in New England Paradise - WARNING - READ FIRST

For all the changes that have occurred in the past year, it's incredible to think it's been seven years since my last post. Come with me as I devise a way to glean all the good I can from how things have gone down to where I return full circle - chuckling at the thoughts and actions from the past and poised to live my heart's intention.

I AM A LOVING HUMAN BEING - my intention is to create learning opportunities for teachers, not satisfied with the results they are experiencing, to take back their passion and power for the art, reach EVERY child, and to assist in directing our future toward their own highest good.

One way I intend to influence those eager to know is to let you know the value you possess in the life of your students. I believe I can convince you it is in your best interest to learn any method to reach 100% of your students by telling you a little more about me and the effect teachers and mentors had in supporting my life.

In order to do this I'll be, somehow, opening up wounds that I perceived or experienced. Real or not, it was my reality and that reality was what I took to and from school with me every day. If this story affords a teacher the opportunity to think a different way about that "jerk" in 5th period, or that "needy" kid in 3rd - it's worth the emotional risk. You see, I want my experience to be useful - I have used it to understand many, many at-risk students - like me.

If you look into the 60's at all, you'll see that it was a tumultuous time. It so happened it was not only that in the nation (which I'm learning has an impact on my family) but more directly my mother and the family suffered terribly during that decade in particular. Marked by death and loss, the best way I can describe my beginning is to say -

I was born on the 15th of August in 1964 to a broken-hearted family. As a result, I was born - At-risk.

Thank God for public education and my teachers.