A few years ago, I read Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, a challenging experience that pulled me through a wider range of intellectual and emotional moments than most other serious books. As its subtitle says, it is A Story of Justice and Redemption—always the kind of story we need but especially now in these strange days. … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Hoping Through Hard Times
TURNING POINTS–Rescuers Update
Yesterday's post referenced the rescue activity done everyday by state game wardens, often harrowing and demanding work. These largely unsung men and women routinely perform critical life-saving work, and after posting yesterday, Kathleen showed me an article about a very recent emergency in which the Maine game wardens did their usual job. https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/maine-warden-service-emergency-rescue-crews-assist-injured-hiker-who-fell-30-feet-mox/133192. (Main photo: … Continue reading TURNING POINTS–Rescuers Update
OPEN ADMISSIONS: Picking Up the Pieces
Our mistakes do not have to define us. They may well limit our futures, but here is a story about a man who has changed his life while in prison. https://portlandphoenix.me/degree-of-difficulty/?fbclid=IwAR1JtIlkC9RMP8OcG3wGLmGistSDmOsq0RGsnZUs0BIhk7-BgPynLmTpRm0 Brandon Brown's crime affected many individuals in harmful ways, for sure. But his story did not end there. The ripple effect of his profound … Continue reading OPEN ADMISSIONS: Picking Up the Pieces
TURNING POINTS—Giving Thanks And Finding the Linkages
TURNING POINTS focuses on connections that matter in life, and I want to offer thanks to and for all the people who have make life better for others. Good on ya, mates! Like Paul McCartney of the Beatles, who played such a role in the transformation of popular music in the early Sixties. Many of … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Giving Thanks And Finding the Linkages
TURNING POINTS—From Rucks And Scrums To Ballads And Two-Steps
About 9:30 on Friday evening, drummer/friend Jerry Howard and my other band-mates will start banging out the intro to “Do That Thing,” and I’ll jump in with the vocal to kick off another night of dance music at Philadelphia’s Mermaid Inn. It’ll be the most fun we’ve had in months. And it’s something I wouldn’t … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—From Rucks And Scrums To Ballads And Two-Steps
TURNING POINTS—Learning Perspective
Real education is transformative. For nontraditional college student Gina Barreca, it added to and changed her perspective. The curious and open-minded Brooklyn kid moved from one learning experience to another, and today she is a professor of English at University of Connecticut and a highly regarded author. Her writing can be very funny, and I … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Learning Perspective
TURNING POINTS—What We Lose And What We Keep
Live a while, and you experience loss. I would call Michael J. Napoletano a deep friend. We met when he transferred to my school for sixth grade. We haven’t quite parted, though he died three years ago. His illness and death dealt my family and me a bitter taste of loss because he’d become part … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—What We Lose And What We Keep
TURNING POINTS—Gone Fishin’
That’s a photo of a young woman who inspires me by her ability to fish and to, well, inspire. I wrote about Deidrah Stanchfield earlier this year. https://nedbachus.com/2019/02/20/turning-points-healing-pillars-for-programs-and-for-people/ They used to call the legendary James Brown the “hardest working man in show business,” and Deidrah earns that sort of title in several categories, including but … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Gone Fishin’
TURNING POINTS—Postsecondary Options, Not Stigmas
Last week, we met a young woman whose future lies in higher education. Anysaa El Manfaa is off to a fine liberal arts college after getting a fantastic start at community college. As a community college student and teacher, I saw this kind of story time and time again. It’s cause for honoring and celebrating … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—Postsecondary Options, Not Stigmas
TURNING POINTS—“Winning By Surrendering Our Turf”
After last week’s post about the Thriving in Academe article (http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/1901eAdvocate_ThrivingFinal.pdf) I heard from my old friend and teaching partner, Paul McGarvey, who spun story after story about collaborative teaching and how it energized dozens of faculty members at Community College of Philadelphia over the years. Professors from various disciplines came together and learned … Continue reading TURNING POINTS—“Winning By Surrendering Our Turf”
Ned Bachus 