I began my career as a high school English teacher with an unapologetically idealistic attitude about the difference I could make in my student’s lives and in Chicago’s far South Side community as a whole. After all, when you’re young …
My Neighbor and the T-Rex
I’m crouched behind my neighbor’s fence wearing an inflatable T-rex costume. If I don’t get low enough, my kids will see my giant dino head long before I’m able to launch myself out to the sidewalk and that just won’t …
The Case for a Quiet Life
My grandma died without changing the world. My mom probably will too, as will I. In the world of today, we will have failed. For today, it is not enough to love well, to fight the good fight of faith, …
The Art of Good Neighboring
“Junior! Junior! Junior!” A few years ago, I heard my 5-year-old son Lincoln standing on the driveway yelling “Junior” at the top of his lungs. Naturally, I was terrified something was wrong so I ran outside to check on him. …