Sunday, November 16, 2014

A Beautiful Sunday Morning

Good morning Tek-Ninjas! I'm in Boone, NC this weekend. For those who don't know, Boone is in the Western part of the state in the Appalachian mountains. I'm with my family. We've come for many reasons. First, I was invited to speak at the Appalachian Leadership Forum, which was interesting and fun. Also, my oldest son is a senior in high school, and strongly considering App State, which is one of my Alma Maters. He was born here, and it's been awhile since we visited. Interesting to hear all he remembers...including the countless hours he bumped over various mountain trails in a baby jogger.

This morning I was stunned and inspired by Nancy Chewning's open letter to Time Magazine. Have you seen the cover just published?  I want to encourage you all to read it, especially those of you working in schools, because she is writing about us, with passion, and it may make you yell huzzah!

Happy Sunday!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Two New Books

Hey Tek-Ninjas, I've written two new children's books, and they are both available on iBook for your iPad or your Mac Book.

The first book is called "If I Were A Ninja". If I Were A Ninja is a playful exploration of the Ninja of ancient Japan. 


I was in advisory contact with American ninja martial arts pioneer Stephen K. Hayes to be sure this story was as accurate as possible.

The second book is called "If I Were A Pirate" It is similar to If I Were A Ninja, but obviously, focuses on pirates.

Delightful drawings are sure to engage your young child. The books are readable at two levels. For younger children (5-8) the larger text contains simple concepts. The smaller text at the bottom of the pages contains more complex ideas of how the Ninja or Pirates operated, and is more appropriate for slightly older children (8-10). 


Both books retail for $4.99 each. I don't normally shill products on my blog, but I hope you will forgive me this one time! 

I am pleased with both, and hope you will consider taking a look.

Happy Reading!

The passing of a gentle giant.

Holding Thich Nhat Hanh in the Light. Zen master, poet, and peace and human rights activist, Thich Nhat Hanh experienced a severe brain hemorrhage on the 11th of November.

You are me and I am you.
It is obvious that we are inter-are.
You cultivate the flower in
yourself so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in myself so
that you do not have to suffer.
I support you you support me.
I am here to bring you peace
you are here to bring me joy.

- Thich Naht Hahn

Friday, November 7, 2014

Quick Idea...

So with over a hundred iDevices out in my district I have been getting quite a few frayed charger cables back. They are expensive to replace when you add them up. And it's a nuisance.

I have begun wrapping my cables preemptively. I find that they tend to fray where the cable enters the iPad end. So, I take about 4 inches of duct-tape and wrap it snugly.


This will hopefully help protect the cables, and they have also proven to be incredibly useful in plugging in iPads which have a Big Grips case on them. The only complaint staff have had for the Big Grips, is that the charging port is recessed in the casing, and sometimes hard to plug in.

Problem solved.

Happy Therapy!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Ferriter and Tupac, Hang'n Out

Photo may, or may not have been Photoshopped.
Tek-Ninjas, one of my favorite blogs is called the Tempered Radical. If you've not read it yet, take a look.

The author of the blog is Bill Ferriter, a classroom teacher, book author, and obviously, a blogger. Based on his writings, I think Bill and I share similar views on politics and education. He seems to get riled about the same issues as I. So, naturally, I like him.

Recently, Bill posted a blog with a video of Tupac Shakur as a young high-school student. In the video Tupac is discussing the state of education as he sees it. I think he makes a number of really interesting points.

So, I share this with you, first to share the blog site with readers, 'cause there is good thoughts going on over there, and second, just 'cause I love Tupac. The man was a sharp thinker.

Enjoy your Friday!