Team of Rivals

 Today I'm going to give you a book review. My favorite books to read are non-fiction books about baseball seasons, baseball players, presidents, or history. The book I'm currently reading and almost done with is "Team Of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin published in 2005. This book is 754 pages and I have 23 pages left so I think I can give you a good indication about the book.

This book is really a retelling of the political career and presidency of Abraham Lincoln as told through extensive research into diaries and memoirs of those who worked closely with Lincoln. I have really enjoyed this book and the writing of Kearns. She is able to piece together all of her information about Lincoln's presidency and life during that time. She gives us up close narratives of the behind the scenes at the White House and his cabinet especially during the civil war.

More often than not Presidents will give cabinet spots to friends. This book shows that Lincoln surrounded himself with not necessarily friends but instead the best person for the job. He chose people who ran against him for the presidency in 1860 because he knew they would do a good job. Not everyone in his cabinet agreed with him on slavery however Lincoln's attitude toward it changed throughout the civil war. The civil war at first wasn't about slavery it was about preserving the union and preventing the southern states from secession. However, it became evident that the one thing that was dividing it was slavery and it had to be dealt with in order the preserve the union. The emancipation proclamation was not only Lincoln's way to free the slaves but also his way to get them to fight for the Union. 

I'm not going to give too much more since everyone should be learning about this stuff in history in school.  I highly recommend this book as a good winter read. Despite 754 pages it reads quickly and the copy I'm reading (paperback) has two sections of pictures which gives you some visuals into how everyone looked. One picture shows troops in the White House and the caption read "Even during the Civil War, ordinary people had nearly unlimited access to the White House. Volunteer troops bivouacked in the East Room in May 1861." Could you imagine if we could "bivouac" in the White House today.

Great book, great writing and you get learn something. Go read "Team of Rivals". 

Where Have I Been?

 The title of this article is apropos since I haven't blogged in almost 12 years. I plan to start this blog up again and try to blog on a consistent basis. I will also be broadening the topics that I write about. Be sure to subscribe so you can get notifications about when I post.

So what have I been up to since that October day in 2013 when I made my last blog? Let me recap for you. When that post happened I was in the middle of my Toastmaster journey and I'm happy to say that I crossed the Toastmaster finish line by earning my DTM. I didn't continue in Toastmasters after that since I changed jobs and took my leadership skills to Mathnasium and started running a Mathnasium in Blaine MN in 2016. I got the opportunity to blend my education degree with my MBA and use it as the Director of the Mathnasium in Blaine. I also had the opportunity to be the director at one in St Louis Park and one in  Andover. I ran these until 2023 when I decided to go back into the classroom and teach.

In 2023 I started teaching math again. It was nice to get back into the classroom. I taught at a Charter school in East Bethel MN named Star of The North Academy. I taught math to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. I only worked their for a year because an opportunity came up for me to teach at PACT Charter school, 10 minutes from home and where my son attends. I was supposed to be the intervention teacher but the needed a 7th grade teacher so I taught one intervention class, three 7th grade pre-algebra, one 7th grade honors pre-algebra and one personal finance class. I also coached boys middle school soccer, 1st-2nd grade boys basketball, and the assistant speech coach. I'm looking forward to next year and teaching intervention only and doing some more coaching.

In 2024 I dipped my toe, maybe not dipped but dove in to the political realm. I ran for city council and it was really a lot of fun to meet new people and practice utilizing all those leadership skills. Unfortunately I didn't win but I'm leaning toward running again in 2026. I'll keep everyone posted on that decision. It is true what they say once you run for office you get the bug and have the desire to run again.

Not all I've done has been work related. I spent time participating in some APBA tournaments, joined an APBA league, taking day trips with my son around Minnesota, and recently one of my daughters got married. 

Look for my next article in a few days. 

The Journey Day 93

On Tuesday October 1st the Frontier Division Speech contest was held. What a fantastic event it was! We had 6 contestants for the Table Topics contest and 6 contestants for the Humorous speech contest. We packed the facilities with guests, contestants and helpers from across District 6. There were even a number of Toastmaster dignitaries there to enjoy the festivities.

As Division governor I have the task of putting together this contest. However it could not be possible with out great helpers and quality contestants. Leaders must always find those people who have the vision to take things to the next level. Whether you are leading a project at work, coordinating a special event or leading a department the most difficult thing in leadership is making sure you have quality people surrounding you.

The six area governors for the Frontier Division put on fantastic contests and sent quality contestants to the next level (The division contest). A big thank you to my 6 area governors, Ed Mason 21, Ellen Brockmann 22, Judi Holloway 23, Teri Recht 24, Jay Redington 25, Janice Janes 26. I have a great leadership team.

I will be sending a formal video thank you to all those who helped at the contest. I want to thank my Toastmaster Dan Grundtner for a job well done. Also the contest chair Cathy Olson who coordinated a great feast of food and helped with some finishing touches on the contest.

Most of all congratulations to the top three in each contest for giving a great Table Topics Response and a wonderful humorous speech.

Table Topics: 

3rd Place: Noel Field                                      



2nd Place: Stephanie Morse-Noland

1st Place: Brian Nordling

Brian Nordling, The Trio and me



Ashley Melville, The Trio and me



Humorous Speech:

3rd Place: Jason Sonnek

2nd Place: Jeffrey Fish

1st Place: Ashley Melville

Leadership isn't easy but it can be if you surround yourself with quality individuals who make leading easy. The first three months as Frontier Division Governor has not been easy but it has been fun and we are working to make new leaders in District 6.