A few days ago I wrote a short piece on Facebook and in it I reflected on my anxiety of a few years ago when I retired from public education. I was certain then that my future was bleak. At the time my son said to me, “with your skill set you’re sure to excel.” … Read more
This year I got a great opportunity to work with a unique group of students in an after school program at St. Bonaventure University. I am fortunate to work with Dr. Anne Foerst, a computer science professor at St. Bonaventure. Together we applied for and received a grant from National Grid to teach STEM to … Read more
A few months back I purchased some surplus iPads from a local school district. I had intended to use them in an after-school program where I am a volunteer. When I discovered that I didn’t need them because we already had enough computers I laid them off to the side. A little over a month … Read more
Five years ago I could never have imagined how I spend my life these days. I retired from public education three years ago. That was frightening at the time. What would I do I thought. How should I re-invent myself. There was a lot of angst. Since then, I’ve found new life as a volunteer in … Read more
Last week on Thursday I had business at the Prendergast Library in Jamestown, New York. I was there for a meeting and after a fifty-mile ride I stopped in the library’s lavatory to refresh myself. While I was there a fellow came into the same space and he looked unkempt, smelled like he hadn’t had … Read more
I just got home from spending a few hours volunteering at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Franklinville, New York. Earlier this week, Paul Goodhand, local director of the pantry called and asked if I could volunteer today. I got to the pantry about 9:15 am and was greeted by many other volunteers all of … Read more
Saturday I attended my second EdCamp in the last two months. I learned some new things as a result. Furthermore I’m inspired by the teachers and administrators whom I met there. There was an eagerness to learn and share that’s frequently missing at formal conferences. In fact at most educational conferences that I’ve either attended … Read more
Today is my mother’s 89th birthday. I often reflect gratefully for her presence in my life. It was she who gave me life. What a wonderful gift she has been in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. Mom was born into a world that had not experienced the great depression … Read more
Today is the Feast of All Saints and it was a beautiful feast at that. The sun shone brightly and the temperature was a modest fifty degrees Fahrenheit which is a gift even in the first week of November in Western New York State. My wife said she wanted to accompany me to Mass at … Read more
A year ago I came to All Things Open at the invitation of Jason Hibbets who was the community manager of Opensource.com. At the time I was thrilled to be invited and so I came to the conference with some expectations but not really knowing what was in store for me. I met people like … Read more
