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!

End of the tour for 2007

I reconsidered traveling this week. Weather was still not as cooperative as I'd like it to be and I also felt that the time could be better spent reaching out to schools one more time by mail before the year was up.

I did a mailing to all the schools I had visited offering the remaining copies of the introductory copies of my program at a much discounted rate. I felt this would benefit those schools who perhaps didn't purchase the program because of financial difficulties. And it allows me to have some money coming in to order the newest edition that is ready to go to print.

I also sent a letter to the principal of the high school in my town which has had o cope with the lose of several students over the past few years due to teen drinking. I'm happy to say that they want to discuss having my program in my school. We've scheduled a meeting for early January.

I also got a phone call from a school in San Antonio Texas. The woman I spoke with told me that they had been researching leadership programs for their school and that mine was by far the most promising one out there.

So time has been well spent this week. Next week schools are on vacation so it will give me a chance to stock up on supplies and organize the next phases of this ultimate school trip!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful...

let is snow, let it snow, let it snow."

That holiday song is right! The weather sure is frightful and it's causing a change in direction for this school trip! I'm hoping for two days this week to visit Rhode Island schools but I think that's going to be it for this calendar year because the weather has been horrendous here in the Northeast.

Still plenty to do to get the word out. This week an article came out in my college alumni newsletter describing this journey. Rhode Island College is well-known for its teacher training program. Many of the country's finest teachers have trained there. I know people are busy this time of year but hopefully readers will put their issue aside and will take a few minutes to read the article and find a way to make this program part of the school in their community.

This time of year is all about marketing. The weather might not be cooperating but I certainly can get mail out which I did today to all the schools that I've already visited this year reminding them one more time that this program exists and in fact is available at a special price as I clear out the rest of the introductory packages to make room for the recently updated second edition which is due in in early 2008. Check that out at http://www.strategiesofsuccess.com/specialpricing.htm

That's it for now... Sure hope the weather holds for my RI visits!