Tag Archives: mentor

Please Don’t Make Me Religious!

My Real Memoir Funny thing. I knew my leap of faith was the most important thing I’d ever do. But I didn’t run and sing like Julie Andrews. Instead, with quiet conviction, I simply told my Creator, “I want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Ready or Not, You’re a Teacher!

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy Thought for the Week Five years ago today, I met the future. His name was Jaylen. He and I had been matched as mentee and mentor by a local social service organization. How did I feel? … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

In Memory of a Wonderful Mentor

Twenty-six years ago today, my mentor Janet died in the most unthinkable of ways. But I’d rather focus on how she lived. On her kindness and wisdom. I launched my filmmaking career with an internship in L.A.’s Fox Plaza tower, … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment and Popular Culture, Memoir, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher

Our students are about to go on winter break. And soon all the schools will be empty. But the teachers will still be thinking about their kids. Their spouses and friends will heckle, “Give it a rest!” But a true … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

A Filmmaker’s Journal

A Tribute to My Mentor How do you talk about a friend who died in the most abhorrent of ways? You talk about how they lived, about their kindness and wisdom. I launched my filmmaking career with an internship at … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Fierce Love

I’m not a violent person. In fact, when I was studying method acting in college—the tap-into-your-feelings approach made famous by Brando and De Niro—I had difficulty inhabiting a particularly violent role because I’d never felt the desire to hurt anyone. … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 34 Comments