Writing
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Something to Teach is the story of my transition from being a public school teacher to an institutional teacher. And the challenges that I faced.
To find out more about this book and the other books that I have written, continue exploring below. All of the titles are available for purchase at Penned Press.
Something to Teach is the unforgettable journey inside the walls of a maximum-security juvenile correctional facility with a teacher who learns that teaching on the inside is not for the faint of heart.
Despite fights in the classroom, threats of violence, and being doused with pepper spray, J.D. Lavelle just wants to teach.
What does he need?
Better students?
No.
Just…something worth teaching.
“Wanna dance?”
This was certainly not the introduction she’d imagined from Prince Charming.
“Beggars can’t be choosers, young lady,” she told herself, “and besides, God was awfully fast in granting this prayer. Normally He isn’t so prompt.”
Mariel sighed at his age – younger than her – and smiled, holding up her hand. Her smile vanished in an instant as the seemingly younger man swept her up into his arms in time with the music and moved her directly to the center of the dance floor with surprising skill. She immediately revised her initial assessment of his age – upping it a few years. For four minutes and thirty-six seconds neither spoke, and the divorced mother of one thoroughly enjoyed herself. With a flourish of strings, the music drew to a close and the man deftly brought their dance to a close, exactly on cue. He smiled down at her, nodded, said, “Thanks.”
And walked away.
_____
Mariel MacEwan was firmly grounded in reality. She had no time for fairy tales or any other such nonsense. But what happened when a stranger appeared and asked her to dance? And told her that he loved her…that very same night? Mariel learned that “love at first…” was not just the stuff of dreams.
Recently discharged from the army, Claudius Sears finds himself once more embroiled in a war he desperately seeks to leave behind. His journey west, away from the killing fields of the Civil War, only leads him to further bloodshed. While doing his best to avoid the soul-crushing weight of responsibility for others, Sears soon comes to realize that he is indeed his brother’s keeper.
History doesn’t have to be dry. It can, and does, provide a wonderful backdrop for all sorts of drama. Drama involving love, loss, and longing. My Brother’s Keeper is set during the American Civil War and tells the story of a trio struggling to survive amidst the chaos of conflict.
“Okay,” a voice announced, “time to get out.”
The side doors of the ten-passenger van opened and two men in dark blue uniforms stood, ready to greet the newest arrivals. Brian didn’t move. His hands and feet were shackled, and he was uncomfortable. He was more than ready for their trip to be over, even if the destination was prison, but he couldn’t reach the belt buckle. One of the officers stepped up into the van and surveyed the two young men before him. The man looked at the pair, studying them for a long moment. Sizing them up. Were they going to be trouble or not?
Finally, he said, “I’m going to unbuckle you one at a time. After I unbuckle you, slide to the edge of your seat and I’ll help you to the door.”
There was a pause. “Okay?”
Things are not okay for Brian as he tries to navigate the perils of life on the inside. He learns that there is only one person that he can count on – himself. And it’s his time to do.
“Get out of the car.”
Donnie didn’t look at the man who spoke. He just reached for the door handle, and was glad to get out of the car. The man gave him the creeps.
“If this is what it’s going to be like on the outs,” he thought, “then I’m in trouble.”
The car ride from the correctional facility had been mercifully brief, but it was still long enough to set Donnie’s teeth on edge. They’d barely pulled out of the parking lot when his new guardian looked at him and asked, “You’re afraid of being out here aren’t you?”
“What?” Donnie said, slightly incredulous.
This wasn’t exactly encouraging talk. And Donnie was a little nervous about being free for the first time in almost a year. Well, more than nervous, but he wasn’t about to admit it to a total and complete stranger.
“I’d be afraid too,” the man continued. “You heard about what’s happening. The sickness. The plague. Whatever it is.”
“Yeah. I guess,” Donnie admitted. “I think I heard something about it when I was locked up. Not much though. I didn’t get to watch the news. But the officers talked to us. Well…some of them talked to us.”
In truth, Donnie knew very little of what was going on in the outside world. Being locked up made him forget there was a world outside the fences and razor wire. The man looked back at the road and shook his head. After a moment, he muttered, “Probably safer inside a prison.” Then continued louder, “Well, you’re free now. Free to die like the rest of us.”
What will you do when the dead have risen? When the outside world has gone crazy? You’ll do the only thing you know how to do…survive.
“Okay,” a voice announced, “time to get out.”
The side doors of the ten-passenger van opened and two men in dark blue uniforms stood, ready to greet the newest arrivals. Brian didn’t move. His hands and feet were shackled, and he was uncomfortable. He was more than ready for their trip to be over, even if the destination was prison, but he couldn’t reach the belt buckle. One of the officers stepped up into the van and surveyed the two young men before him. The man looked at the pair, studying them for a long moment. Sizing them up. Were they going to be trouble or not?
Finally, he said, “I’m going to unbuckle you one at a time. After I unbuckle you, slide to the edge of your seat and I’ll help you to the door.”
There was a pause. “Okay?”
Things are not okay for Brian as he tries to navigate the perils of life on the inside. He learns that there is only one person that he can count on – himself. And it’s his time to do.