perpetual beta 2

Rain on the Horizon - cc photo by J. Delp This afternoon, on our way home from school, my daughter asked if we could get some french fries from a near-by fast food restaurant. As we pulled up to the first window of the drive-through, I was greeted by a former student who is currently a junior in high school. After a brief conversation, we made our way to the second window, where another former student asked, "Mr. Delp, do you remember me?" I did remember him. I asked how he was doing, and what he had been up to lately. I recognized a faint look of embarrassment as he responded that he was working full time, quickly adding that he was trying to get back in school. Before driving off, I gave him a few words of encouragement, and told him to come see me if he needed help. If you have followed me on Twitter, or have read my writing, you know that I have a passion for working with junior high school students -- especially those who face adversity, those who are marginalized...

cc photo by J. Delp I recently had the opportunity to attend a couple of summer cross-country practices for my hometown high school team. My brother is the coach, and I wanted to see how things had changed since my running days. In addition, I was curious to see what could possibly motivate a high school kid to get up at six in the morning, during their summer vacation, to run. I watched the kids run a few miles at an easy pace (one that would have been gut wrenching for me), and then proceed to run a series of two-hundred meter sprints, jogging two-hundred meters between each repeat. It was clear that there had to be a number of factors that would contribute to their ability to stick with such a grueling morning routine. Normal kids just don't do this to themselves. So, at the risk of writing another tired sports analogy, allow me to share a few ideas that I believe allow us to persevere ("us" being athletes, students in school, educators, or anyone who is in purs...