Audiobook Review: One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson

I am a big fan of Bill Bryson.  I've read most of his travel books and his hilarious memoir, but I haven't ventured into his science and history books until now.  One Summer: America, 1927 has been on my "to read" list since it came out a few years ago; my commute gave me the perfect excuse to listen to it--all 13 discs.  It took me two weeks of commuting to listen to it, but I am so glad I did because it is a fascinating look at an America that no longer exists.

I am always interested in the 1920's simply because my Dad was born in 1928, and I've wondered what the world was like when he was a child.  It's a way of connecting with him because there aren't a lot of photos of my Dad growing up.   When he met and married my Mom and had eight kids, well there are oodles of pictures of him as my Dad.  But as a small boy, I've only seen a few pictures of him.  I think about how much the world changed during his lifetime and I wish I had asked him what he thought of it all before he died in 2004.  

Back to 1927.  There was a lot going on, and Bill Bryson deftly weaves the stories all together to give the reader (or listener) a story of an America that was growing in leaps and bounds, and faced the same issues we face today.  There were times when I thought I was listening to news of today:  there were acts of terrorism with bombs all throughout the states; race riots, men who became heroes overnight (but ended up with feet of clay), and as always, the glamour of Hollywood.  Charles Lindbergh flies to Paris from New York and becomes an sensation who finds the crowds and relentless hero-worship extremely uncomfortable and annoying.  People loved him anyway.  There was Babe Ruth and the magical Yankees, and that year of 60 home runs.  Herbert Hoover was steadily moving up the ranks in government, while Calvin Coolidge preferred to be a president who didn't do much, because everything was ticking along just fine.  No need to fix what isn't broken.  

Life was fast, people were on the move, and automobiles, motion pictures, and radio were fast becoming giants in the everyday life of Americans.  American culture began to spread around the world through radio and film--completely unintentional in the beginning, but a byproduct of the booming movie industry.  A lot of people think the American cultural influence didn't really start until much later in the 20th century, but it was the "talkies" that started it all in the 1920's.

This is a fascinating historical book, and so chock full of information it can make your head spin.  Bill Bryson narrates it, and it is full of his usual wit and little factual details that keep the story flowing.  My one beef, and this  was huge for me, was Bill Bryson's voice.  He has a very interesting mix of American Midwest accent coupled with a bit of British.  It made for some pronunciations that were a bit odd to my ear, and it really distracted me throughout the whole 13 discs and two weeks it took me to listen to this audio.  I can't help it!  I talked to a friend who also listened to the audio, and she said "I know exactly what you mean".  I feel bad about that, but there it is.  Bill Bryson has such a soft speaking voice that I had the volume turned way up in my car to catch it all.  Other than that, I enjoyed this look at 1927 America very much.  

Rating:  7/10 for a superb, historically fascinating tale of America after World War I, and before World War II; that time of prohibition, aviation, and baseball. What an amazing decade.  My only issue was completely personal in the occasionally jarring accent and quiet voice of the author.  But I can't imagine anyone else narrating this!

Available in paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book.

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How school leaders can address teacher workload issues

Much is said in the media about schools being stressful places and, perhaps, education is nearing crisis point in terms of what is being asked of teachers. Workload is an issue that simmers on and, if not addressed, can have a significant impact on staff morale and school culture. It is, therefore, of little surprise to read that teaching is one of the most stressful professions to enter and be a part of.

While external agencies and government bodies play an obvious role in creating teacher workload and stress through their mandated requirements, school leaders also make decisions in either contributing to or alleviating the problem. We should not, however, ignore that teachers themselves may use practices that are neither effective nor efficient, making things harder than they should be, further compounding the problem.

While many schools have invested in well being initiatives for their schools, the issue of teacher workload surfaces time and time again. For all the initiatives to support well being, if the workload is not changed, then undoubtedly matters pertaining to teacher stress will continue. What’s more, dare I say it, if we do not take time to discuss and address how teachers can be more effective and efficient, workload matters will linger on.

So, what can school leaders do to address issues teacher workload in schools?

1. See the big picture and address issues with teachers being pulled in many directions

There are many leaders in a school, not just the Principal, who make decisions that can negatively impact on teacher workload and stress. It is vital that this is acknowledged and, when discussing workload, a bigger picture is considered. Teachers are pulled in multiple directions, often completing requirements for different leaders within the school. Commonly, the various leaders in the school do not collectively consider what they each are demanding of teachers. This is a serious problem, as each leader may only consider ‘their patch’ and unaware that requests of teachers to complete tasks are being made made simultaneously.

It is essential that senior leaders are able to see this and have a firm grasp on the overall picture and can work with their group of leaders to consider the number of requests made of teachers, the priority order and achievable deadlines for completing the task. Too many tasks on the table for teachers to pay attention to, or complete, leads to a ‘danger zone’ of being overwhelmed and feeling that you cannot get the job done; a feeling that many school leaders know only too well. Similarly, the establishment of realistic deadlines for requests to be completed shows a sense that school leaders are ‘in touch’ with what teachers are faced with on a day to day basis.

2. Determine what is necessary and unnecessary

Leaders also need to carefully consider what is necessary for teachers to do. They can play a significant role in looking at what external agencies and governments require and minimising the impact on teachers by addressing only what is important. Schools should not be ‘slaves’ to external agencies and their requirements. Plenty of consideration should be given to the school’s context and what is best for students and teachers in decision making processes that can create and alleviate workload.

Obviously, not everything in schools is externally mandated and school leaders are largely responsible for the school’s internal processes. Leaders should come to school each day thinking about how they can make life easier for teachers to get the job done. This can be achieved by considering the basic needs of teachers and equipping them with appropriate resources in a timely manner. It can be as simple as having a school calendar that is followed and disruption to classes is minimised, with everyone knowing what is going on. Furthermore, it could be improving systems of communication, which can often be a source of frustration and stress for teachers.

Leaders can make things easier for teachers in schools and they can also take things away. The latter is easier said than done, though if one stops to think about it, there is a lot of unnecessary workload and perhaps leaders in schools are making things harder than they need be. Consider, how much time gets spent in our schools on the written, taught and assessed curriculum – is what is is being done effective and worthwhile?

Leaders have have to make tough choices in terms of what the school or a particular section of the school, will do or what it will not do. Even in taking certain things away to reduce workload not everyone will be happy but it may be necessary; individual teachers have their pet loves and their pet hates. These decisions have to be carefully considered and tread a fine line in terms of how much leaders end up telling teachers what to do.

If leaders are seen to be making genuine attempts to address matters pertaining to teacher workload it is certainly easier to begin to enter discussions with teachers about how they too can be more effective and efficient with their time.

 

Connect with me @richard_bruford

Originally posted on the Ed Leader blog

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How Quickly Things Change

If you have never seen the “Blockbuster Offers a Glimpse of Movie Renting Past”, it is a great (and funny) piece that promotes some great conversations on how quickly things can become obsolete:

It is a great video to discuss how quickly things change in our world today. Although this was “best practice” only a few years ago, it is already outdated and the company closed the last of it’s stores in 2014.

I wrote about this specifically in “The Innovator’s Mindset“;

It was only a few years ago that video rental stores like Blockbuster were the best way
for people to watch movies in the comfort of their own home. In some places around the world, these stores still exist. But in the Western world, cheaper and more convenient options (no travel required) have put most neighborhood video stores out of business.

The Internet completely changed the movie rental industry. Companies that took advantage of new technology, like Netflix with its DVD-by-mail and online streaming options, are thriving. Meanwhile, companies, like Blockbuster, that refuse to let go of outdated business models experience a slow, painful death.

Blockbuster had the opportunity to buy Netflix a few times, but declined. And by the time it attempted to start its own DVD-by-mail program, the company had lost its place as an industry leader. The hard lesson that Blockbuster and its fellow neighborhood movie rental
businesses failed to heed is this: innovate or die.

This reality hit me hard recently at a parent evening the other night when I shared this video. As parents and adults in the room laughed, I noticed one child who was probably around eight or nine years old, looking around and wondering what was going on.  After the video played, I asked him if he could talk about what was going on and he had no clue.  When I tried to explain about going to a store to rent movies, he looked at me like I was crazy.  He had never known this reality, and never would, yet this was our reality, not his.  If he was four, it would make more sense, but he wasn’t.

I often think about what we will be laughing at or shaking our head at ten or twenty years from now, but if we do not understand that we need to change, maybe we won’t have the chance to laugh at all.  You either create change, or change will happen to you.  In all other industries, different and better options are either being offered by current organizations, or by new ones coming in.  We should never take for granted the continuous need for all organizations to get better.  Education not excluded.

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349 West Georgia Remaking Downtown East

Waiting for a good thing can be difficult. It is already obvious that amazing things are coming to Downtown East in the next few years, and none more promising than the redevelopment of the landmark Canada Post building at 349 West Georgia. The project’s completion is set, at this early stage, for 2021. It is anticipated that 4000 residents will make their homes in the abundant rental and owner-occupied units. Five towers will stand atop the preserved current structure. The time has come for this major block in the city centre to achieve its potential.

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3 Common Home Security Mistakes During Holidays

Holidays are time when people go out of town to spend time with their families. Whether you leave your home for a few hours or a few days, make sure you avoid these common home security mistakes during holiday season, such as: post-pile up, bushy landscape and social media.

 

 

Below are 3 common home security mistakes during holidays:

Post Pile Up
Nothing alerts a burglar like mail overflowing from the mailbox, or newspapers piled up in your driveway. Stop mail and newspaper delivery while you’re out of town, and enlist a neighbor to pick up any packages or other deliveries that may arrive while you’re gone. Source: AlarmRelay

Bushy Landscape
Having leafy trees and untrimmed shrubs adds a wild side to your landscape, but you need to know that you are giving the burglar lots of rooms to maneuver and move around undetected. The thief won’t move only under the cover of darkness, but also during broad daylight since they have the advantage of shadows. Source: Ericabuteau

Social Media
The lights are off, the cars are gone, and mail, newspapers and packages have accumulated. This paints the perfect picture for an easy burglary target. When leaving for a vacation or business trip, consider what your vacant home will look like, and seek ways to maintain the appearance of an active home.

• Ask neighbors or relatives to pick up the mail in your absence.
• Invest in an energy management solution that allows you to schedule and remotely control lights within your home.  Source: VectorSecurity

Securing your home means more than just locking the doors when you leave. If you want to know more about home security services, please give us a call or contact us here.

The post 3 Common Home Security Mistakes During Holidays appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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Chateau Laurier – Shaughnessy Luxury Pre-Construction Condos from Landa

 

The luxurious award-winning developer, Landa Global Properties, is proud to offer you Chateau Laurier, a collection of eleven sumptuous homes in this prestigious neighbourhood on Vancouver’s Westside.  For the discerning homeowner, these select properties offer more than 1,700 square feet of impeccably-appointed living space, taking their cues from French Baroque architecture.  Striking buff limestone is set against wrought iron detailing.  French balconies and generous roof top decks provide views to the expansive, tree-lined neighbourhood that encompasses Chateau Laurier.  With only 11 spacious condominiums with 3 bedrooms and over 1900 square foot each (except one), this is a place where one establishes a refined life.

The post Chateau Laurier – Shaughnessy Luxury Pre-Construction Condos from Landa appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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The Message and the Messenger

With March Madness upon us, I have been really think about how much I miss being a part of the sport of basketball. Probably from the age of nine until only a few years ago, I either played, coached, or refereed, and loved every aspect. I still watch games all of the time, but being a part of the game was something that I loved and I learned a great deal from each opportunity that I apply in my life to this day.

One of the things that I was reminded of recently was how, as a referee, we would prepare for games.  We often talk about any concerns, but also the personalities of the coaches that we would be working with during the game.  I remember specifically one game where my partner had said, “The coach doesn’t say much, but if they do, they probably have a very valid concern.”  It kind of stopped me and I still think about that comment to this day in our every day dealings in education and leadership.  Each time I refereed that same coach and he said something, I listened intently, and to be honest, he was most often right.  He picked the times that it was appropriate to say something, and probably let the little things slide because he saw a bigger picture.

Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum were the coaches that would yell or try to talk to you the entire game. Eventually, their voice became like background noise, and it was hard to pick out when their concern was valid, or to think that they were just yelling again.

I think about the comparisons a lot between these two different types of coaches. The first one that would pick and choose those moments, was also someone you enjoyed talking to because you knew they weren’t looking for every advantage the entire game, and if they said something, you should have listened intently.  I think about this in my work when I try to create an environment where we can challenge one another to be better for our students, yet if all we do is challenge, and show no appreciation for the work that is happening, when does my voice simply become noise?  If we constantly talk about issues but never focus on the great things happen, I truly believe we either tune those people out, or become tuned out ourselves.

It is not only the “message” that we need to think about, but how we are as the messenger.  Both elements are important.

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