Mike Vigilant

I just finished Amity Shlaes’s latest book, “The Forgotten Man.”  In it, the author gives a comprehensive review of the history of The Great Depression, which makes this book timely in the light of recent events.  It was very well written and comprehensive in it’s review of the period’s events.

The book is written as an overview of the entire Great Depression, so it doesn’t follow just one person though the stories, which I got used to quickly after some early confusion.  I heard after I read it that there were some questions as to the political neutrality of the author and her perception of the main subjects, especially President Herbert Hoover.  In retrospect, I can see that.  Still, if you aren’t familiar with the Great Depression and are interested in learning about it, I’d recommend it.  It’s out in paperback now.

I am proud to announce that I received my new certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in the mail today.  It lists my newly certified field of Middle Grades Social Sciences.  I am so excited!  I am hopeful that my new qualifications that allow me to teach essentially the second half of a student’s public school career will open up new job opportunities for me, and I am thrilled to have it.

That gives me five certifications total: Economics, Geography, and Political Science for high school students, Middle Grades Social Sciences for middle school students, and Special Education Consultative for all grades.

I am also happy to announce that I continue my perfect passing rate of GACE exams on the first try!  I’m glad my efforts have been starting to pay off.  I am currently pondering which certification to pursue next and look forward to sharing that information when I’ve made a decision.