Author: braidwoodguy

Born and raised in Braidwood, Illinois. Worked in secondary and higher education since 1962. Have 5 kids and 14 grandkids. Avocation is writing and genealogy.

Coaching at Lewis: “Paving People Paths” via Intramurals

“Paving People Paths” is a term that can be interpreted both literally and figuratively. It represents my early truck driving days hauling materials for paving roads and highways. Providing transportation pathways in our country. “Paving paths” can also mean to assist and guide people to successfully determine their own best roads to the future through … Continue reading Coaching at Lewis: “Paving People Paths” via Intramurals →

“Grounded in the Grit and Guts of Life”

Trucking to Teaching “Paving People Paths” is a term that can be interpreted both literally and figuratively. It represents my early truck driving days hauling materials for paving roads and highways. Providing transportation pathways in our country. “Paving paths” can also mean to assist and guide people to successfully determine their own best roads to … Continue reading “Grounded in the Grit and Guts of Life” →

“She sees the world through a feminist lens.”

The quote came from a comment about someone who viewed problems at work through her feminist perspective. Whatever that might mean depending on your own viewpoint.  The more that I thought about it, shouldn’t we accept the fact that our own perspectives or lenses are cluttered, cloudy, and cataracted with our own lifelong experience, prejudices, … Continue reading “She sees the world through a feminist lens.” →

Letter to Unknown Great Grandkids

This letter might seem a bit strange at first but please bear with me. Yes, I am writing to great grandkids who have not yet been born. I have previously written letters to our 14 grandkids in response to their questions... with more letters are yet to come. But the following letter might be reading material … Continue reading Letter to Unknown Great Grandkids →

Trucking and Teaching: Paving People Paths

Spending a considerable part of my early life in a truck cab gave me a perspective that was vastly different than most of my colleagues in education. Professional educators like faculty and administrators live in an antiseptic, intellectual environment absent physical labor and grungy human sweat. Dust builds on bookshelves while brains give birth to … Continue reading Trucking and Teaching: Paving People Paths →

Learning from Lewis Teammates Without Numbers

When I think of “teammates,” the first picture that comes to mind is one with uniforms and team logos. While that may be my initial reaction, it shortchanges the length and breadth of people who have had a profound impact on my entire being. What is a teammate? To think exclusively of a “team” only … Continue reading Learning from Lewis Teammates Without Numbers →

Little Black Sambo, Uncle Remus, Amos and Andy

"I know that I am not the only person who heard the stories during early childhood. About the little black boy who is chased by tigers around a tree until the tigers turn into a syrup. Uncle Remus telling tales about Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, Brer Fox, and the briar patch while singing “zippa di … Continue reading Little Black Sambo, Uncle Remus, Amos and Andy →

Merichka’s Poorboy: My Only Constant in Life

“In 1958, I discovered Merichka’s poorboy steak that had been in existence before my birth and had been waiting for me. From that point on, this garlic-laden steak sandwich accompanied by a salad with house dressing would be the only constant during my life.” Stretch Kennedy How things have changed over a lifetime! For me, the … Continue reading Merichka’s Poorboy: My Only Constant in Life →