Didactic Cafe

A common buzzword in many circles today is "Imposter Syndrome."  But what is it really, and how do you overcome it- or it's more common variation:  self-doubt?  We will explore the foundations of the phenomenon, as well as steps we can take to overcome it in ourselves and how to aid those we love who are facing it.

There is an epidemic of dissatisfaction and disconnection in America's workforce.  I believe the key to overcoming this roadblock to happiness is found in recognizing and pursuing the aspects of our callings that bring us to life.  This episode looks at four key passions for finding joy in your work.
1.  Work- find joy in the results of what you do.
2. People- who do you work for, who do you serve?
3.  Creation- Be passionate about what you make, whether it is tangible or conceptual.
4. Faith- Whatever you believe in- science, religion, art, etc- give it your all.

Talking about five learning experiences and challenges from 2021 and five goals for growth in 2022.

Five Learning Experiences of 2021
1.  Learning from my family's character
2.  The impact of January 6 on my faith, patriotism, and view of humanity
3.  The process of growing as an AP World History Teacher (or anything)
4.  Economics of Teaching/Writing
5.  Book Successes

Five Goals for 2022
1.  Being more present
2. Growing as an AP teacher with reflection
3. Discover or develop a good marketing strategy/tool
4. Complete my first book series and begin writing new books
5. Produce my first audiobook of Killtown.

Why are we so drawn in by nostalgia?  What about our hometowns and pasts acts as a magnet that pulls us back, time and again?  And is it dangerous to think too longingly about those by-gone days?

Book 3 of the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles allows the main character to dive into those deep, philosophical questions.  All while fighting demons and monsters and the normal pressures of becoming an adult.  I wanted to give a little bit of background on why I wrote this book, and do a tease/reminder that Fall of Man- book 4- comes out this Wednesday, December 15!

Author Chad Lehrmann offers behind-the-scenes insight into the second novel in the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles, Red Hand Rising.  He explains why it is his least favorite novel he has written, but also why it contains some of the most important- and fun to write- scenes of the series.

Taking a moment to dive into the creation of my first novel- Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles:  Rites of Passage.  I wanted to share the genesis of the story- which truly began when I was in high school but has changed DRASTICALLY over the years.  Every writing is an evolution, this is just a sort of "Director's Commentary" of that process.

An increasing number of teachers are asking themselves a terrifying question:
"How much longer can I do this?"
After two years of pandemic teaching, wave after wave of new initiative forced from the top down, and decades of under-appreciation and low pay, teachers are wondering it is time to seek employment elsewhere.  And these are teachers with years of experience who feel a moral calling to make a difference.
We need to be aware of the impending crisis of teacher shortages, and we need to make adjustments now.  And as teachers, until we make the final decision to leave or things get better, we need to find ways to cope and persevere.  While we can.

As a history teacher, I get asked if I teach "Real" History.  Usually, this means do I teach a version of history that is palatable to a liberal or conservative viewpoint.  And it is a wholly erroneous question.  History is not simple, black and white answers.  It is a kaleidoscope of color that changes with the way the light hits it.  And it is all true.  If a people survive long enough, their entire history becomes one long line of "inconvenient truths."  

I work at College Station High School in College Station ISD.  We were one of the first schools in Texas to open to in-person education, and despite a campus of nearly 2000 students plus close to 200 staff,  we never had to shut down.   In that year, I learned and grew a tremendous amount as an educator and as a person.  I want to share some of the things that grew from this trying year of teaching.

Which, it turns out, was one of my best years ever.