A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years - Joe Bruzzese

JOE BRUZZESE, MA, is a professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has taught at the elementary and middle school levels and coached club soccer for twenty years. He lives with his family in Santa Barbara, California. \nTHE AUTHOR SCOOP \n \nWho is your hero? \nI have two. My daughter Jordyn and my son Tristan. They inspire my days (and nights). I'm in awe of the simplicity they bring to the world and the courage they summon in spite of challenges they face. I couldn't imagine my life without them. \n \nHave any good pet stories? \nOur dog Chewy (named because of his likeness to the Star Wars character Chewbacca) took his name in the literal sense and devoured clothes, shoes and anything else left on the floor during the first two years. \n \nWhat was the hardest thing about writing a book? \nThe first word and the last word. Taking the first step requires intention, energy and a commitment to steps two, three and four. Believing in your ability to create something of meaning is a formidable obstacle to overcome. Equally foreboding was the last word. How does it end? What's the right way to say goodbye? I never have been good at saying goodbye. \n \nWhat was your first job? \nSanitation Engineer. After a short 8-week stint during a high school summer I ruled out manual labor from the list of viable career options. This was back in the day when one man drove the truck and the other ran from house to house hauling the week's worth of garbage back to the truck. No electronic arm. Not a week goes by when I'm not out meeting our local engineers with something cold to drink. They earned my respect. \n \nWhat book do you re-read every few years? \nChange the Way You See Everything holds the premier position in my bookshelf. Inevitably I give my copy away or gift one to a friend. The message inspires my life and the choices that guide my work. Thank you to good friend and colleague, Jason Womack. My life was forever changed the day he shared this book with me.\n