Teacher Cutting Class for Part-Time Prostitution

I know we are in a recession, but this is just on a whole other level when it comes to part time work:

"Authorities say an Ohio fourth-grade teacher had a side job as a prostitute, and even skipped class after using a school computer to arrange an afternoon tryst at a motel.

Logan County sheriff's officials say 35-year-old Amber Carter was arrested Tuesday at a motel parking lot in Bellefontaine (behl-FOWN'-tin) in central Ohio. She's charged with misdemeanor prostitution and a felony, unauthorized use of property, regarding the computer."

Associate Press article here.

Class Act

I got the word yesterday the Acting class I will be teaching is officially going to take place at Harvest Studios (via G-City Films). They will be getting back to me regarding the exact starting date.

This is very good news. Now I can begin my research. I always enjoy reading a great deal on a topic before I teach it. I want to refresh my mind, consider some new things for class instruction, as well as organize some good reading assignments for the students.

I haven't taught a series of acting classes in about two and a half years. Mostly I have been brought in as a consultant to do a workshop or to give notes during tech/dress rehearsals of plays. I am looking forward to teaching an 8 class course to Teenagers and a 12 class course to Adults.

As far as the Leadership class I will be teaching for the Young Adults (City of Truth), we still have one more meeting left with the administration. We need to clear up some issues regarding dates and location.

I have spent the last few months doing research on Leadership and Mentorship. It will be nice to begin working on the lesson plans for this when I return from vacation.

Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM

I am very happy to see some kind of progress in Zimbabwe. For the past 4 or 5 years I have been following the demise of this beautiful African country. I pray the new unity government actually helps the people and the land.



"Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister of Zimbabwe Wednesday as part of a new unity government that Zimbabweans hope will signal an end to the political and economic crises that have gripped the nation for months.

Zimbabweans and outsiders alike are hopeful the new government will help heal the country's crippling economic crisis and eroding humanitarian situation, both seen as the worst since the once-prosperous nation gained its independence from Great Britain in 1980."

Read more here.

Introverts Influence 10,000

I read an interesting note regarding leadership and mentorship:

"Sociologists tell us that the most introverted of persons will influence an average of 10,000 other people during his/her lifetime."

10,000 people? Influenced by the most introverted of persons? Wow!

We really do touch people's lives. We really can/do influence others.


Hypothetical example = 50 years of influencing lifetime

10,000 people divided by 50 years = 200 new people per year

200 people/yr divided by 365 days = 0.5 new people per day

So it is possible the most introverted of persons over the span of his/her life could influence 1 new person every two days.


Dare we do more?

What could that number look like if we were active/intentional about positively influencing the lives of new people every day?

Perhaps it may be our niece or nephew, our cousin or our next door neighbor, or maybe our own child or student.

The first challenge I propose to you is: Would you be willing to positively influence at least one new person every day?

...

The second challenge I propose is a little more intense: Would you be willing this year to intentionally pour your life into five people in a mentorship capacity?

...

Positively influencing one new person every day is a simple enough task.

As for mentorship, it could be once a week, twice a month, or once a month. Whatever your choice give back to those who are coming up, especially youth and young adults.

In 2009, I am intentionally mentoring one youth, three young adults, and three adults. There are others I am intentionally influencing, but these seven I am spending one on one time in order to pass on some of the things I know and/or have learned. It is a part of establishing a legacy. It is also being more like Jesus Christ.

Are you ready for the challenges?

What say you?

1 in 10 Americans on Food Stamps

In light of the current economic crisis in the United States, it is estimated more than 1 in 10 Americans are part of the federal food assistance programs.

Read the article here.