I have a fifth grader who I will call “Tommy.” Tommy has had a hard homelife and struggles with self-esteem problems which are just magnified by his lack of abilities and desire. He’s been tested for learning problems, but he CAN do it…he just decides he’s “stupid” and doesn’t try whenever he hits a wall. … More Reverse Psychology

There must be something in middle school where the hormones, body, and other things are going so crazy that their perception goes haywire as well…that is my theory…because I’ve experienced it firsthand.Many times middle schoolers effectively utilize the backround noise of a classroom to get away with whispers while the teacher is explaining something. Yet, … More Uh…Hello McFly!?!?!

It all started the fall of my fifth year at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. I had always played by the rules (mostly) and I brought the idea of a prank one night to my friend Nate Saving. Nate (being an upperclassman as well) felt that the need to pull something off of supreme … More My greatest achievement (…and the title of this blog)

Kids bring such delight to my day…and stress…but this one really made me laugh…I use stuffed animals and beanie babies to entice my young music classes to listen and participate. Sometimes I even talk to them…”Oh yeah Teddy, you don’t say! You’ve been listening to the first graders?? You want to go sit with Lucas?? … More Ahh…first graders

I just want you all to know that Jerry Babcock and I have professionally recorded and had printed an album of original music. Here’s some short, catchy snippets to whet your appetite… http://www.thouexcerpts.com (more info and online CD ordering) Enjoy! Track # and some succinct thoughts about each song1- “On My Knees”…Confession and Absolution…God’s Grace2- … More Shameless self-promotion…

What is it about this monstrous power called Google that has us all so enraptured? Is it the fact that as I write this editorial, the search engine we all know as Google is searching approximately eight billion websites with the click of a button? Consequently, it then leads me to answers that, only a … More Google: My love and my bane

I have seen the invention and shameless taste of Zubaz and had to slide myself into the wondrous world of Zebra-striped sweatpants. I had a tape player and never thought this crazy CD thing would take off…and yet I bought one. I was amazed and enchanted the first time I saw a colored computer monitor…and … More I guess it’s about time…