Looking for effective strategies and best practices to break the cycle of ineffective school reform implementation? Author Grace Sammon takes a sobering look at the state of high school reform and identifies the elements that keep us "running in place", rather than making progress on a road to success. Battling the Hamster WheelTM offers research-based insights and strategies, stories from the field, and humor to help lead change agents and school leaders in a reform process to build the school communities they seek to create. It also provides the skills to establish and sustain the critical elements for schools′ success: Demonstrating high expectations and a matching vision Building capacity to create a true climate for success Thinking small and dreaming big Engaging in legitimate community support Thriving with strong, sustained, and shared leadership Effectively aligning and managing resources Understanding the importance of time This insightful resource includes a built-in book study and facilitator′s guide for school boards, administrators, teachers, consultants, and students of education, and for professional development events.

Many years have passed since the author experienced the happenings of this book, yet the feelings remain vivid [and can serve to remind the introspective that life’s precious days can be filled with forward, constructive progress or with repetitions of poor choices. It was written to offer helpful tools to the youths who are currently being tempted to make decisions which can not only affect a large portion of their lives, but can also, as in the case of the writer, produce a sentence of life behind bars. The reader will be able to experience some of the realities and emotions of living the life dreamed of by the armed robber [as well as the dismal failures of those who take from others to have their own whims met.] Hoping that his life will fulfill some good purpose, this author has shared his innermost thoughts using the instruments of prose and poetry. [Perhaps you the reader will recognize signs along your road of life that explode in your direction saying, “Don’t enter this way!”] If you find yourself already on the wheel of lost hopes, this book may provide a way for you to get off and even escape the cage of confinement. You may here learn that your spirit can soar as the eagles in perfect freedom by choosing a path where your Creator who loves you unconditionally not only matters, but comes first in your life.

An architect’s gripping account of living and working in war-torn Syria, and the role architecture plays in whether a community crumbles or comes together Drawing on the author’s personal experience of living and working as an architect in Syria, this timely and fascinating account offers an eyewitness perspective on the country’s bitter conflict through the lens of architecture, showing how the built environment and its destruction hold up a mirror to the communities that inhabit it. From Syria’s tolerant past, with churches and mosques built alongside one another in Old Homs and members of different religions living harmoniously together, the book chronicles the recent breakdown of social cohesion in Syria’s cities. With the lack of shared public spaces intensifying divisions within the community, and corrupt officials interfering in town planning for their own gain, these actions are symptomatic of wider abuses of power. With firsthand accounts of mortar attacks and stories of refugees struggling to find a home, The Battle for Home is a compelling explanation of the personal impact of the conflict and offers hope for how architecture can play a role in rebuilding a sense of identity within a damaged society.

I was waiting and longing to be rescued... But God I was abused and alone ... But God I was walking away from God ... But God I was in the depths of despair ... But God I was the Man going ... But God I was making plans ... But God I was fighting my battles ... But God I was childless and weeping ... But God I was self righteous and arrogant ... But God I was afraid ... But God I was spiritually stagnant from fear ... But God I was ... But God... tells you what I was but more importantly it tells you about the But God lessons that were waiting for me around every corner. No matter what your life has brought to you, there is always a But God waiting for you around the corner. This book points out several But God verses in the Bible and explains how they applied to my life and how they can apply to yours. I Was ... But God ... points you towards the One who can help you with anything life throws at you. I Was ... But God ... challenges you to always find truth in the Word of God. Janda’s hope in writing this is that one day you will say I believe because I have met Him for myself.

Too many real estate professionals today are on the brink of burnout. They engage in poor eating habits, rarely get enough sleep, are perpetually late for appointments, miss important family events, and are basically hating life.What would you say if I told you there IS a way out of this rabbit hole?

It all started in a lush, verdant, garden that can only be described as one of the wonders of the world and it involves two players, Eve and Adam. God put the happy couple in charge of everything he had made. Who would not be pleased to have such an incredible life? Things were all going so well in the Garden. The setting was fabulous and Adam and Eve were God’s ideal children, filled with wisdom and beauty. Nothing was denied them. They were living in Paradise, except that the streets were not paved with gold. Unfortunately, when things are going great, something will come along to mess it all up. Some say Eve started it, but I say different. I want you to know what really happened and who was to blame. I want you to know what the whole world lost that day when the serpent came along pretending to be the first couple's friends, and how to give you back what you lost.

Postmodern Pirates offers a comprehensive analysis of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series and the pirate motif in British literature and Hollywood movies through the lens of postmodern film theories.

The focus of the book is to let the readers know that the Devil's focus is to use the mind as a place of isolation. He will try to bring back the past of fear to block one from reaching his or her own destiny. This book tells you that only the word of God brings healing to the mind. In addition, only the word of God can bring restoration to a mind that is wrestling, and a heart that is broken. When you finish reading this book, you will be able to get past your pass, from the old you, into a brand new you. It all begins in the belief in your mind.

This isn’t a book about BECOMING it’s about BEING: noted psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy shows how to imagine the person you want to be, then BE that person now. When you do this, your imagined FUTURE directs your behavior, rather than your past. Who is your Future-Self? That question may seem trite. But it’s literally the answer to all of your life’s questions. It’s the answer to what you’re going to do today. It’s the answer to how motivated you are, and how you feel about yourself. It’s the answer to whether you’ll distract yourself on social media for hours, whether you’ll eat junk food, and what time you get up in the morning. Your imagined Future-Self is the driver of your current reality. It is up to you to develop the ability to imagine better and more expansive visions of your Future-Self. Your current view of your Future-Self is very limited. If you seek learning, growth, and new experiences, you’ll be able to imagine a different and better Future-Self than you currently can. It’s not only useful to see your Future-Self as a different person from who you are today, but it is also completely accurate. Your Future-Self will not be the same person you are today. They will see the world differently. They’ll have had experiences, challenges, and growth you currently don’t have. They’ll have different goals and priorities. They’ll have different habits. They’ll also be in a different world—a world with different cultural values, different technologies, and different challenges.