“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” – Pirkei Avoth 2:6 Rashi’s Daughters: Book 1: Jocheved is a beacon of light in a time of darkness. The story unfurls the magical beauty of marriage as it’s preserved through Judaic law and extols the value of appreciation between the sexes. … More Be A Man
“Ring a ring o’ roses, A pocket full of posies, Ashes, ashes, We all fall down.” -Nursery Rhyme Camaraderie. Courage. Coping. A fractured society raises broken children and traumatized adults. Without a sense of connection, we humans fumble into the future, uprooted, unguided, and unstable. In his book Tribe, acclaimed journalist Sebastian Junger explores the … More The Circle Dance
Happy holiday season! I read M Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled. In it, he challenges the reader to explore what it means to live and love. The book pushed me to examine my habits, and now I wonder: Why do I repeat behaviors that I know are unhealthy? Chances are, you fall into certain … More Get Lit with Kit – December 2019
I became a classroom teacher in 2000 and a personal trainer and weightlifting coach in 2007. Through the years, I have worked with adults and children, helping them meet various and multiple goals. It’s always rewarding, and my experiences have informed the way I approach formal instruction. As parents and educators, we want our kids … More Student Success: Stress, Tests, and Mindfulness
Aliya* has had a difficult term. Her study habits are an area of extreme weakness; she is often unorganized and struggles to stay focused. There are times when instead of attending to class discussions, she engages in side conversations. Other times, she will miss key information and not copy notes into her notebook. Aliya … More Victim to Victor: Overcoming Adversity and Owning Your Future
All, I’m belated. But not lacking in excitement. Here’s a quick rundown: American Kingpin…the Amazon of drugs. This book had me hooked. Who Killed Homer? An insightful look at why schools (and people) are not what they once used to be. The Coddling on the American Mind A nice companion to the book above, describing … More Get Lit with Kit – October in November
This has been a great month for learning. I re-read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self Reliance. It pushed me in directions I hadn’t considered when I read it in my youth. To help me reflect on the changes, I journaled on these logotherapy meditations. Logotherapy was born out of the great Viktor Frankl. If you aren’t … More Get Lit with Kit – September 2019
Books Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks fed my thirst for science. The intricately crafted plot touches on issues of epigenetics, morality, and humanity as the two protagonists delve into the world of medicine in an effort to discover the source and ease the suffering of the mentally insane. What fascinated me was the vastly different social … More Get Lit with Kit – August 2019
This month has been on FIRE! Books: Vincent and Theo was a revealing look at the younger years of the esteemed artist. I learned so much about the role religion played, the extent of his mental distress, and the unfailing support of his younger brother, Theo. Deborah Heiligman did her due diligence while researching this fabulous … More Get Lit with Kit – July 2019
Summer is officially underway. Here are my recommendations to get it started right. If you need some beach reading I highly recommend The Complete Stories of Truman Capote. Provocative and humorous, Capote’s short fiction is captivating and perfectly suited for reading between dips in the pool The Power was a more substantial work and a complete mind … More Get Lit with Kit – June 2019
