Lean Against the Wind

Raymond Lancaster, the second seed, is "called" to work as a Special ed. teacher in Springfield, Michigan in 1994. He begins his work in a forgotten dilapidated schoolhouse in Springfield where he finds success with the students and staff. Mr. Harrelson and aging and ill principal, is an inspiration to Lancaster, and his associates, Mills, and Rossiter. Mr. Harrelson is the victim of a scam that robs the estates of senior citizens and passes away penniless. & ; & ; A new special ed. Center is built in his honor and Lancaster and the staff are consolidated into it. Lancaster quickly realizes that the new administration is ruthless and has little concern for the students. He battles Principal Porterfield and Assistant Principal, Jacqueline Daugherty at every turn. When Lancaster discovers that one of his students, Jon Causey possesses world class singing talent, he brings him to the attention of a talent agency that signs him up for a ten year contract. Porterfield and Daugherty fight his every move to assist Jon and other students and a battle between the administration and the staff reaches immense proportions. A Nobel Prize winning news reporter, Tina Shakleford gets involved and takes sides with the staff. A scandal involving Detroit racketeers is uncovered and Lancaster is determined to uncover the truth at whatever cost it may bring.& ; & ; You'll meet wonderful characters that will warm your heart, Big Jim, Tiny Tim, Ben, Arch', and a host of others before it is all said and done. Most of all, you will be on the inside track and discover what it was like to be a special ed. teacher during the turbulent 90's. & ; & ; & ; & ; Bio: RJ is retired special ed. school teacher. Several business books were written in the eighties, How to Think Small Business for Big Profits and Born to Be Rich non-fiction titles; owned a string of retail shops. Five novels are complete. He was editor of school newspaper, released a record album in 1987. Currently he is the proprietor of New American Publishing, retail sales.& ; & ; Credentials: Winner of HubNugget Award Best New Fiction Writer. Six books were written previous to this one and twenty-five years experience as a professional writer can be noted. Working in special ed. for three decades is the foundation for "Lean against the Wind." & ; & ; Who are the readers? : Anyone who would read "Up the Down Staircase," (six million sold) "To Sir With Love," and "Stand and Deliver" would enjoy this teaching story. & ; & ;