First Step Consultation – Brian Farr M.S. in Ed., C.A.S.A.C.

  One of my favorite teachers in 7th grade used to jokingly gauge the difficulty of our tests by the number of Martinis we would need to drink after taking the test to recover from the mental effort required. He would refer to the hardest challenges as “3 Martini Tests” and most of the students […]

My father and I stood before the door of the small, run down trailer and I could feel my heart beating faster in my chest as my fists slowly clenched and unclenched. He walked up and knocked on the door, and I moved up, standing behind him, looking over his shoulder, and noticing for the […]

I have worked with many young people in the Saratoga region over the last 17 years who were in treatment for problems associated with addiction. Although these kids were very different in many ways, there were some common risk factors among them that are rarely discussed in our community. And that needs to change if […]

  I think I had Alaska all wrong.  But I refuse to take full responsibility for my ignorance, instead choosing to blame Jack London and George Lucas.  London’s short story “To Build a Fire,” was one of the first pieces of literature I read describing that unknown and mysterious area, and it made me feel […]

Fear is a funny thing.  Recently my wife rallied up the courage to enter a school board meeting held  inside the same school building in which she was sexually assaulted one year ago.  She was there to overcome her fear of the student who assaulted her, her fear of the building in which it happened, and of […]

    Earlier this year, a middle school student in a special education classroom in the Corinth School District violently attacked a substitute teacher.  The large, strong young man waited until dismissal time when all of the other students had left the room before sexually assaulting the teacher.  Only her quick thinking and actions allowed […]

This will be my last blog until August or September – it depends on when our upcoming road trip ends and how much I have accumulated to write upon along the way.  I have a feeling that I will have plenty to say and that most of it will be expressions of extreme gratitude for […]

In an effort to get in better shape and to save some gasoline, I have been riding my bike to work on nice days.  The distance is four miles each way, and the route is fairly flat with a wide, generous bike lane for most of the way.  It takes me about 15 to 20 […]

  October 14, 2001 was a pivotal day in my life, even though I had no idea of the real significance at that time.  On that crisp fall day, I stood before a National Guard recruiter and expressed my desire to sign up for the Guard.  The recruiter looked to be about my age, although […]

My life today is precious and priceless and nearly perfect.  I am not looking to trade my life in for another, and I have faith that all will be well in the end if I continue to keep moving forward and do my best in the roles that have been assigned to me.  People sometimes […]