The Heart of Teaching Tour with #RRBC’s John Fioravanti

May 8, 2015May 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

A special guest on Fiction Favorites is Rave Reviews Book Club board member and Membership Director John Fioravanti. This is a stop on his The Heart of Teaching Tour. John Fiction Favorites is yours.

Thanks, John I’m grateful that you would be my host of this sixth post of THE HEART OF TEACHING TOUR, and to Nonnie Jules of 4WillsPublishing who arranged it all! The full lineup for this tour can be found @ http://wp.me/P43s9i-2g

“It would take me several more years to learn that the most valuable thing I could offer students who confided in me was a willingness to listen and caring support.”

Excerpt from John Fioravanti: A Personal Journey To The Heart of Teaching.

In a previous post, I talked about the fact that I had felt the desire to help others as far back as I can remember. It became a major motive when I decided, as a high school student, that I wanted to teach in a high school one day. I did not have an easy time of it, emotionally, during my teen years, so I readily identified with troubled teens and hoped I might be of some help to them. Unfortunately, in this respect, things didn’t turn out the way I had anticipated.

The problem wasn’t with the students; it was with me. As I developed rapport with my classes and students felt comfortable in my classroom, I found that sometimes a student would seek me out in my classroom at noon or before school in the morning. Often they shared friend problems or family issues, and in my enthusiasm to be helpful, I would try to fix their world. Even now, as I type this, I’m shaking my head in disbelief. I honestly believed that these students wanted my advice, to tell them what they should do to solve whatever problem they were experiencing. How intellectually arrogant is that? My heart was in the right place, but my head certainly wasn’t!

The truth of my folly became apparent one day when our Vice Principal came to my door. At this time I was the Student Activities Council teacher advisor, and had been for a couple of years. Once I made it into the corridor, he asked me to meet with some distraught former students in his office. He said he would take over my class and I was to stay with our visitors for as long as necessary. Wow! What was this all about? Several possibilities crossed my mind as I walked the short distance to his office. I wasn’t ready for what greeted me when I arrived.

Stepping inside that office, I was swarmed by at least a half-dozen sobbing grade 11 kids who had been my Student Council seniors the year before. I hugged them all, two at a time, before we sat down together. I didn’t know that one of their friends had been killed in a car crash the day before. I knew the boy, but not very well. The sudden revelation of this tragic news, combined with their distress, served to put me into a slight state of shock. My mind raced, What can I say to these kids? How can I make them feel better? How can I fix this? It suddenly dawned on me, that there would be no “fixing” this!

So I sat quietly and listened intently to their expressions of grief. I did not admonish them when they railed against fate for their tragic loss. I nodded in silence as they wept openly – as if to tell them that their tears are good. I honestly didn’t know what else to do! There was a war going on inside between my desire to fix the situation and my natural instinct to just sit still and let them pour out their grief. After about 45 minutes (seemed like hours), the Council President from the previous year stood, thanked me for “being here for us”, and led the rest of the group out. There were more hugs on their way out the door.

“Thank you, sir, for being here for us.” I fixed nothing, but that is not my role. This tragedy, and these grief-stricken teens, gave me one of the most valuable lessons in my career. For this, I will always be truly grateful!

Author Bio:

John Fioravanti is a retired secondary school educator who completed his thirty-five-year career in the classroom in June, 2008.

Throughout his career, John focused on developing research, analysis, and essay writing skills in his History Classroom. This led to the publication of his first non-fiction work for student use, Getting It Right in History Class. A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching is his second non-fiction work; it attempts to crystallize the struggles, accomplishments, and setbacks experienced in more than three decades of effort to achieve excellence in his chosen field.

John’s first work of fiction is Passion & Struggle, Book One of The Genesis Saga, and is set within Kenneth Tam’s Equations universe (Iceberg Publishing). He claims that, after two non-fiction books, he’s having the time of his life bringing new stories and characters to life!

At present, John lives in Waterloo, Ontario with Anne, his bride of forty-one years. They have three children and three grandchildren. In December of 2013, John and Anne founded Fiora Books for the express purpose of publishing John’s books.

Contacts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiora-Books/516763875088924?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FioraBooks

Website: https://fiorabooks.com

Book Purchase Links:

Amazon USA: http://dld.bz/dCm6v

Amazon Canada: http://dld.bz/dCm64

Amazon UK : http://dld.bz/dCm6P

Amazon Australia: http://dld.bz/dCmBB

Chapters/Indigo Canada: http://dld.bz/dCp5A

Barnes & Noble: http://dld.bz/dCp5E

“This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

May 8, 2015May 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

Lovely Friday again. It has been a busy week. Among other events, I went to a poetry reading and tossed out a couple of short stories to an audience of four. Almost made me laugh that in a town of four thousand there are four people who are interested in the written arts. Two of the four were fellow writers so it was a fun night and brought to mind the idea that no matter how small the group writers will still read. The poor souls who were the only civilians in the audience had a good time as well. At least they laughed in the right places and clicked their thumbs when it was over. The reading took place beside a marina overlooking some beautiful boats, and I would call the scene peaceful. All in all, I didn’t care about the quantity of the audience it was the quality that mattered. Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) talks about quality. Hope you like it.

Quantity is good,

Until something needs fixing. . .

Quality shines through.

Thursday – A little Personal #RRBC’s Behind the Pen with Bethany Turner

May 7, 2015May 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Last Saturday I was Interview by Bethany Turner on her Blogtalk radio show titled Behind the Pen. Since I did not fall on my own petard I thought I would make the interview available should you wish to listen. It is a half-hour and If you can’t sit that long I understand. Below the link to the broadcast is a picture which will at least make your visit worthwhile.

Here is the link to the broadcast. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub/2015/05/02/rrbc-rave-waves-blogtalkradio-behind-the-pen

Here is the photo payoff for the visit. It is a stormy sunrise.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

May 6, 2015May 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Wednesday Story Day again and we need to go back and join Charlotte and Bob. If you will recall Bob had left to get some coffee and Charlotte called Melissa again. Charlotte wanted to warn Melissa that if Bob’s book gets published he will be a laughing stock he writes so poorly. Melissa doesn’t seem to care and insulted Charlotte by telling her she didn’t count when it came to caring if Bob was the butt of people’s jokes. It was obvious to Charlotte Melissa didn’t care what came of Bob or his book as long as it got published. Charlotte now knows she is nothing but a way to keep Bob from being a bother to Melissa. So let’s go back to our duo.

“Here you are Charlotte. I got you a plain coffee with Splenda and half and half on the side.”

“Thanks, Bob. The coffee looks splendid. Tell me a little about Melissa.”

“Melissa? Well you know she’s my mother right?”

“Yes, I know that. Mmm, this coffee is delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. The place makes good coffee. What else do you want to know?”

“Oh, not too telling. Maybe how you two get along.”

“Get along? You mean do we see eye to eye?”

“Well, maybe that’s a suitable place to start.”

“She hates me if you want to know the truth.”

“Now, how do you know that she hates you?”

“She tells me all the time. I’m the reason she can’t focus on what she needs.”

“She tells you she hates you?”

“Not in so many words, but she lets me know I’m in the way.”

“In the way?”

“Yeah, you know when some guy comes over I have to disappear.”

“Why’s that?”

“She knows if a guy sees me he will realize she is older than the mid-thirties which is a lie she tells all her dates.”

“Oh, my gosh. Where do you go?”

“I hide in my room and work on my book.”

“For how long?”

“Until the guy leaves.”

“So you handwrite your book while your mom is with someone.”

“Can I be honest with you?

“I hope so.”

“I thought you were one of my mom’s friends and I’ve been putting you on.”

“Putting me on how? About your mom?”

“No that’s all true. No about the book.”

“What about the book?”

“I have another that I have written. This handwritten thing was supposed to drive you nuts and then you would tell my mom that you give up. Which would mean she had to deal with me again. You never did.”

“Where is the other book?”

“Here on my computer.”

“Oh, my gosh.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible #RRBC’s Shirley- Harris Slaughter

May 5, 2015September 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 30 Comments

It is my pleasure to have as a guest on Fiction Favorites one of Rave Reviews Book Club’s biggest supporters of other authors Shirley Harris-Slaughter. Shirley is on 4Wills Publishing Crazy! Hot! And Living on the Edge Blog Tour and I am so pleased to help support her. Shirley and I also share a Detroit background so Shirley is a special guest indeed.

I want to thank you for such warm hospitality and support. Thank you, Nonnie Jules, of 4Wills Publishing for putting this all together.

From the Author of…

Crazy! Hot! And Living On The Edge!!

By now you have probably picked up that I have been stalked by crazy people in my life’s experiences. I was beginning to think that something was wrong with me. Why was I running into these people? Why couldn’t I have a normal relationship?

I found the answers along life’s bumpy road. I came from a dysfunctional family. My father was an alcoholic with his own demons to deal with. I didn’t know that his problems would profoundly affect the choices I would make in my life. I wasn’t an alcoholic. I couldn’t even handle a drink without becoming ill; but I was told I am an enabler and that somehow explains everything.

I resented being told that but something had to explain why I kept making the wrong turns in life. My second husband told me it wasn’t me but the ‘boys’ I chose. He said, “Their stupidity was my good fortune.” I cannot tell you how relieved I felt hearing those comforting words. I wasn’t crazy after all.

Someone appreciated me and made me feel cherished. That helped me to repair my tattered self-esteem.

Shirley Harris-Slaughter

book EXCERPT:

I recall one night, while preparing my baby son for bed, I sat down and laid him on my chest to rock him to sleep. Suddenly, I started to feel this tightness in my chest. It felt like I was being squeezed, and it got worse and worse until I was writhing in agony and pain. I had difficulty breathing. I tried and tried, but I just couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. My mother called for help, but when the police arrived and offered to take me down to Detroit Receiving Hospital, she exclaimed: “Over my dead body! You are not taking my daughter downtown!”

At that time, Receiving Hospital had a reputation for admitting a lot of violent criminals and crime victims, and she didn’t want me in that environment. So the officers left. Fortunately, they returned with the decision to take me somewhere closer to my mother’s home. We rode to Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, right in our neighborhood. The doctors went through the normal line of questioning, including personal inquiries about my marital status. When I told them I was separated from my husband, they all looked at me with the same sympathetic but knowing expression on their faces.

“OK,” one of them said, “That explains it all…”

JUST PUBLISHED: http://wp.me/P48F9L-9T

THREE REVIEWS: http://amzn.to/1DOGVBl

PURCHASE LINKS:

CRAZY! HOT! AND LIVING ON THE EDGE!!

AMAZON — http://bit.ly/CrazyHotLiving

OUR LADY OF VICTORY, THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

AMAZON — http://bit.ly/OLVTheSaga

CONNECT:

Email Address: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Author Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/SHarrriSlaughter

Twitter Page: @sharrislaughter

Email: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Blog: www.shirleyslaughter.com

Leave a comment at each stop (including this one) and get your name entered that number of times into a random drawing for:

1st Prize: $15 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize: Autographed copy of “Crazy! Hot! and Living On The Edge!!”

“This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”

Top Ten Things Not to do IF You Think You Are Going to Win a Contest or the Lotto

May 4, 2015May 3, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

This list was inspired by reading a story about a person who had a dream that they were a Lotto winner and went out and bought new cars before the drawing.

Ten Things Not to do if You Think You Are Going to Win a Contest of the Lotto

10 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not quit your day job until the drawing is over. If you do, at best your boss won’t take you seriously when you give a reason for resigning. At worst the Publisher Clearing House Award Team will knock on your door only to discover they have made a mistake, and your neighbor with the barking dog is the actual winner.

9 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not brag to your in-laws before the drawing. If you, at best they will believe you are a little naive. At worst, your father in law will present an IOU for the amount of money he has loaned to your spouse over the years. The bill will still be due even if you don’t win.

8 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not sign the papers for that beautiful new house until after the drawing. If you do, at best you will be the proud owner of two homes and utterly broke. At worst, the Federal government will want to talk about the amount of income you stated on the bank loan forms of twenty million which was used to approve the loan. They keep mumbling vaguely about something called bank fraud.

7 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not tell all your friends before the drawing. If you do at best, they will want the money back for the drinks they bought you. At worst, they will think you won and are avoiding their requests for a loan.

6 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not put off saving for retirement. If you do, at best you will need to keep working until you have enough to retire. At worst, you will retire and find out you needed to work more, and no one is hiring.

5 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not put your house up for sale until after the drawing. If you, at best you will sell it and need to find another. At worst, you will sell your house and find you don’t have enough money to buy one of similar value and no way to qualify for a loan.

4 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not tell your boss exactly what you think of them before the drawing. If you do, at best your boss will send you for a mental evaluation, and all will be forgotten. At worst, you will say things you want to retract but you know a retraction is impossible even as you pack for your new assignment in North Korea.

3 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not avoid setting up a college fund. If you do, at best your kids will be so bright and talented they will win full scholarships to Ivy League schools. At worst, your kids will have to take jobs and loans to get through college and will eventually find their way back to your basement since they can’t afford housing and pay back the loans.

2 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not invest in that oil well with your brother-in-law before the drawing. If you do, at best you have given your brother-in-law a gift, and at least it’s not your brother. At worst, you will need the money you gave the brother-in-law to meet your near term commitments since you figured you were throwing the money away and wouldn’t need it. Now you need it. The silver lining he is not your brother.

1 If you think you are going to win a contest or the Lotto, do not finally buy that expensive gift for your spouse before the drawing. If you do, at best you will be forgiven for the thought. At worst, you will have to return the gift and explain why you bought it in the first place. However, the excuse comes out it will still sound like you have lost your mind.

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

May 3, 2015May 2, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

Finally, the Fifty-Two Shades of Gray is not going to be a reality. We have had a glorious week and the picture shows you what I mean.

The truck belongs to a lone fisherman. The puffy little clouds gave way to deep blue in the afternoon. Since I take this picture in the morning for consistency the clouds remain and you can see the effect of the sun with shadows on the path. The sea is very calm, unlike last week. The picture below taken last week is quite a contrast to this week.

Interview of Moi on #RRBC’s Blogtalk Radio Today at 12:00 CDT.

May 2, 2015May 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

Just a quick post to let you know if you need some company with lunch today I will be interviewed by the gracious Bethany Turner on her show Behind the Pen on Rave Reviews Book Club Blogtalk Radio.

You can listen in by clicking on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub.

I will try to avoid cringe-worthy statements but won’t guarantee it. Bethany will have control and we will talk all things authorly. (Is that a word?)

Thanks.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Compliment/Complement

May 2, 2015May 1, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

SOC Badge by: Doobster at Mindful Digressions

Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is Compliment/Complement and can be used together or separately. If you want to join this fun, go to Linda Hill’s site and read the rules. Here is the link http://lindaghill.com/2015/05/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-215/ My interpretation follows.

“Hi, Sarah how you doing?”

“Very well, Jackson. Thank you.”

“I enjoyed taking you to the party.”

“Me too. You complement me.”

“Well, okay. You have lovely hair.”

“Huh? Oh, I get it you thought I was looking for a compliment.”

“You said complement me.”

“I meant you make me feel complete.”

“Whoa. That is some compliment.”

“Well, it’s true. You are a complement to me.”

“Thank you, Thank you very much. You compliment me as well.”

“Hum, as in make you whole?”

“Naw, as in saying nice things about me.”

“I think we should get going to the movie this is getting complicated.”

“I agree. Excellent Segway.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“I think I’m getting it.”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

May 1, 2015April 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Friday is always a welcome sight. It usually comes in the nick of time (so to speak) and is the capstone to a very busy week. I suppose that’s why we all like Friday it gives us permission to take a break. I know I speak of Friday as if it is capable of giving us welcome praise or a pat on the back. Sometimes it does feel like Friday has some personality and substance. I think when we make it to Friday that in itself is a reward. It’s a little like crossing a finish line in a race. The line is there pure and simple. The act of crossing it adds meaning to the line’s purpose.

Not to be overly focused on the weather I am happy to report some sunshine showed up this week.

This week’s JohnKu (A term coined by Words4JP) discusses Friday as a symbol rather than just another day of the week. I hope you like it.

Friday is but one,

The rest of the week is six . . .

Yet we love it so.