Two recent articles about reading in the popular media seems to contradict one another. One reports on the death of reading: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/07/21/ ( Read more... )

This morning I read a blog post with advice for teachers at the beginning of the year. Get to know the school, your colleagues, etc. All sound advice especially for new teachers or those new to the school. There was one item, however, that I ad not seen as often in these back-to-school litanies. It talked abut taking those few "down" times ( Read more... )

Yesterday's post elicited some responses including one offering some of the obstacles in keeping current professionally. The two obstacles cited were time and money. I wanted to follow up with some suggestions about how to perhaps lower those mountainous obstacles just a bit ( Read more... )

I admit it: I love buying pens and paper and stuff whether or not it is time to go back to school or not. But lately, the displays in office stories are growing with bask to school aisles and displays. I saw folders for a penny recently, and I had to keep myself from buying some. I have no need for folders, mind you, but they were on sale ( Read more... )

I know I have one of the best jobs in the world. It involves loads of reading and writing and talking: three of my favorite things to do. I get to travel and meet new colleagues. I have the opportunity to speak to groups of all kinds. And did I mention the reading ( Read more... )

This post from Philip Nel struck such a resonant chord in me: http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2014/03/03/essay-why-faculty-members-work-so-much. I am fairly sensitive when it comes to criticisms about the "banker's hours" ( Read more... )

My BH told the former residents of the back bedroom that if they arrived at any appointment 10 minutes early, they were still running late. He instilled in them the need to prepare and plan ahead so that, when they arrived, they were composed and relaxed. I subscribe to much the same school of thought when it comes to getting from Point A to ( Read more... )

I saw a Facebook post recently about how we work on our relationships and that sometimes our relationships need us to work overtime. I jotted down the word "overtime" in y Notes app. It resonated for me in that post, and it resonates for me as I consider what it is I do in my career. My relationship with books and reading requires overtime often ( Read more... )

A woman set off a firestorm last week when she posted out a "WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?" posting (http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/maria-kang-fit-facebook-mom-accused-of-fat-shaming-with-facebook-picture-1. ( Read more... )

Here is another of the key components of the UNprogram. It is a building block that is ephemeral, hard to pin down and, therefore, often overlooked. I am talking about TIME. It does not cost a thing in terms of materials/spending. It is flexible and can be used in many ways, too. Without it, all the books and pens and other tools are useless ( Read more... )