Bullying and alcohol abuse were the norm for an average teenager at the little prairie school where I used to teach. In order to combat these rampant problems along with a growing drug subculture, my school had become involved with STAND, Students Taking A New Direction, a nationally-sponsored drug and alcohol prevention program that partnered […]
Defying Conformity Read More »
One might argue that placing an ad on Craigslist isn’t the best way to find bandmates, but I recently met a band called Fall From Silence who did exactly that—with great results. Colorado Springs doesn’t have many decent metal bands, but Fall From Silence, whom I interviewed this week, is a band I think really
Find Your Bandmates on Craigslist Read More »
I put myself out there and risked criticism when I exposed my life as a victim of bullying in “An Open Letter to my Eighth Grade Self,” but little did I know the impact that letter would have on those who read it, which got me thinking. I have a friend whose daughter, whom I’ll
I Promise to Stop Bullying Read More »
Little did I know that interviewing Smith House at the suggestion of a former student would open up a host of opportunities not only for the USR music site but also for me as a writer. Zach Brown from Smith House asked me to write an article promoting all the bands featured in the May
The Black Sheep: Creating Community Through Music Read More »
A Showcase of Local Bands I had the opportunity to hang out at the Wild Goose a couple of weeks ago with members of several bands who will be performing together in a showcase concert on May 1 at the Black Sheep: Smith House, Get Along, Atlantic Panic, and Modern Suspects. I really enjoyed getting
The Black Sheep: Local Suspects Read More »
As a teacher, it’s hard to define what motivates kids to bully others, and what keeps bullied kids from standing up for themselves. Those who stand by and watch are probably the biggest problem, though, and sometimes its teachers as well as students who are the bystanders. As a bullied kid myself, I found it
An Open Letter to My Eighth Grade Self Read More »