Long time no write!

Wow...life sure has been busy since my last post. I did visit a few schools on the west coast of Florida when I was there after I gave myself a good week and a half off. I'm still amazed at how impressive the schools have been especially Naples High School. I was even more impressed with the fact that they had a place on their web site where they listed good news, something we could all use a bit more of these days. The school pictured above is Estero High School.

When I got back up north, the weather was atrocious for many weeks. I learned early on that traveling and visiting on rainy days was not the best way to make a good impression on the schools so I used the time to catch up on all the work that had piled up in the office in my absence. I also continued to work on my current book whch I hope will be ready by mid July. Titled "When Am I Every Going to Use This? 101 Tips to Survive and Thrive in the High School Classroom", it details all the little strategies that I used over 28 years of teaching to connect with my students in an effective way.

I did get back on the road last week finally getting to Connecticut. I had wantd to visit all 6 New England states before the school year was up but still need to see Vermont. I did have one of the best visits I've ever had to a school. I had walked into the building with a man in jeans and polo shirt who was very friendly. Little did I know at that moment in time that he was the principal of the school on dress down day! We had a very exciting and interesting interchange about how we need to rev up what we're offering in schools as well as the methods of delivery. I'm happy to say that he booked me to speak to his staff at one of the opening professional development days so I will get to go back. A very exciting prospect for education in my book!

Going to wait until schools wind down in the next few weeks before I go on the road again. I know how busy everyone is right about now and the last thing they need is company! Plus with gas prices the way they are, it's important to maximize the visits! Hopefully the temps won't be in the high 90's like they are today but I'm looking forward to continuing my visits to the high schools of America!

Florida

I didn't get a chance to log the schools that I visited last week from Vero Beach to Deerfield Beach. Distances are long here so I didn't get to as many as I would have liked but wih it being Friday and also the end of spring vacation for schools up north, traffic was busy. Did get to Ft. Pierce I think (I'm beginning to lose track!) and I know that they at least looked at the web site because they entered the contest to win the program. That's all I ask from schools...just look at the web site and decide from there.

I know money is tight these days with schools so it's not the ideal time financially to purchase this success system. But it's also a time where teens need it more than ever. They need to learn to be self sufficient, to have the strategies and tools to survive in a world that's already quite different from the one their parents grew up in. One of the main benefits of taking this course is that the principles are universal and have been around for centuries. Bottom line is they work and our teens deserve to learn them in an atmosphere that works well for them.

I'm on the west coast of Florida in Ft. Myers Beach now. When I was teaching, this was my school vacation week and I've used this week to wind down too. I'm staying an additional week and I will visit the schools in Lee and Collier counties next week. Then back to the northeast where the weather is finally conducive to travel!

Back on the road again!

Finally a way to get online! I've been on the road for the past couple of days here in Florida. I usually come down here for 2 weeks for my yearly vacation but this year, I extended my time so that I could visit schools here.

I flew into Orlando but started on the east coasst. Started out at Cocoa High School and then Cocoa Beach. Followed with a couple of the high schools in Melbourne and continued down the coast the first day. Some of these schools are quite impressive and very different in appearance from the schools up north. With the warm weather, schools are built with inner courtyards and lots of areas of outside classes. We were seldom 'allowed' to take our classes outside in my school but here it's more the norm.

As usual, I enjoyed sharing my 'goody' bag with the secretaries and especially having the chance to thank them for all they do for schools. I don't have a chance to meet the principals but with my goal being to visit as many schools as I can fit into my schedule, that's ok. I'll follow the visit up as always with a postcard, a letter and whatever else I can think of to let them know about the program.

That's it for now. I've not been able to get online for 3 days due to faulty wireless issues at a Melbourne Panera, and various other technical problems. More later this week as I figure out how to send myself the pictures I took of the schools from my new cell phone and find another place to log on. Off to the west coast of Florida tomorrow...

What a winter!

Still no travel lately. The weather has either been raining, snowing or brutally cold. But that's what winter is so no complaints here. Still plenty to do to get the word out. Sent out postcards to all the superintendents in South Carolina this week. When I sent a letter to each of the state commissioners of education, SC was one of the 4 states that responded. So I know that they're at least marginally interested in what this program can do for the teens in that state.

Also got the invoice from the school in Texas. Will be sending out their full packet tomorrow. And I might be getting an intern from a local college which would be phenomenal. I really need help. One person is not enough to do all the things that this business requires. Hopefully I'll be able to hire someone at least part time before the year is out.

I did book airfare to Florida for April this week. I have a time share that I have been going to for many years. I've extended the trip on either end so that I can visit the high schools around that state. I'm flying into Orlando and plan to go down one coast and up the other. They're got some great schools in that state. I'm really looking forward to visiting them. By then the weather here should have been good enough to visit a few more schools in NH, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut.

Rhode Island

I have been working from home a good part of January mostly because of weather and because it was the time I put aside to get my office re-organized which it sorely needed. I figured that today would be the day to begin the Rhode Island tour because the weather was promising and I had just sent all the principals a letter in the past month.

But I didn't go. Why? Because last night our Governor gave his State of the State speech and said that he was cutting the money to the towns and school districts. Not exactly the ideal time to give out information about things for the school to spend money on! A little time between that message and my visit might be a good idea. And I can do a little exploring about how else they can pay...special programs...special accounts for curriculum...things like that.

I decided to donate my entire program to the school in my town. They are having too many issues with teen drinking and I made the decision that if I was going to donate it to any district, it would be the one in my home town. They're not ready to implement it as a course unfortunately because of money issues (and this is the most affluent town in my state!).

I keep pondering a way to donate it to more schools...or even all schools...but I'm running on empty after spending so much on traveling, training and marketing. There's got to be an answer...some way to get this out there...without me going bankrupt in the process! If anyone has any ideas...don't hesitate to let me know!

I did get a messsage finally from the school that called me in San Antonio....they're sending a check! Hallelujah! Another school...another chance to help teens....

Just have to remember that I'm planting seeds...planting seeds...and one of these days...the country will know about the program. And we can stop talking like they did on the Today show that someone needs to teach our kids stress management (it's in the course.) Or the politiicans who say we need to teach our kids financial literacy...it's in my course!

Back on the road again!

It's the new year and I'm back on the road. Luckily we've had what's called a January thaw up here which is much better than the brutal cold and wind chill that kept the temperatures in the below zero range before the holidays.

This week brought me to New Hampshire and I must say I'm very impressed with the high schools I visited there. The schools are beautiful structures, the people are very friendly and the environment seems to be very positive. I wish I could have stayed longer but I had to sandwich in my time between an appointment with a local high school and some promised time with the presidential primary in New Hampshire.

I visited Londonderry and Salem High Schools yesterday (the weather was windy and rainy which makes for less than ideal conditions) and three schools today - Bedford High School (brand new), Nashua High School North (beautiful facility and friendly people - thanks so much for the visitor parking and the signs directing a visitor to the main entrance!!), and finally Nashua High School South where I was fortunate enough to meet the very energetic and interesting principal.

I don't know if she'll be interested in my Strategies program but I may be able to provide professional development for some of her staff, particularly those who are new or who are teaching math. Helping teachers do their job more effectively is one of the goals of my company and I believe I have a lot to offer in terms of the strategies I personally used both in the math and SOS classroom.

All in all, great to be on the road again! I really miss being in a high school (not the hours or the work load though to be totally honest). The last school even had the same school colors and logo as mine. I have the feeling I'll be spending time in schools again sooner rather than later and that's a good thing. But the goal for the 2007/2008 school year is to visit as many high schools as I can and I'm thrilled to be back fulfilling that part of the plan!

Some have asked how they could help me on this journey that's not inexpensive with oil at $100 a barrel and gas over $3 a gallon. My company is not a non-profit but I have created a book titled "Secrets of Success: 36 Surprising Simple Lessons for a More Stress Free Life" to help raise funds. If you'd like to purchase the book, just go to www.horizon4success.com/successbook.htm And thanks!