Lessons from the Porch is Ed Poole's thoughtful memoir of life's lessons, which he shares with endearing charm and good-natured heart. The book is a thoughtful journey and an engaging reminiscence. Lessons from the Porch will allow the reader to consider questions such as: Have you wondered how you arrived at your current stop along your journey? Have you ever asked the question, "What am I supposed to be learning from this experience?" How can I leave this world a bit better than it was when I found it? Although written about his own experience battling depression, the book is meant for anyone embarking on a journey to know themselves and cultivate new friendships. We all have places from which we learn life's lessons. For some it may be sitting beside a meandering stream. For this author, the place to which he returned to understand his journey was the porch that surrounded his house as he grew up. Metaphorically, Poole's porch represents how he either has or has not accepted changes in his life. The dilemma about how and when to leave his porch goes back to his early boyhood when his mom would always say, "Eddie, don't get too close to the edge of the porch, because you might fall off."
Much of Ed Poole's professional life was in public education. Within that field he was a high school teacher, middle school principal, high school assistant principal and principal, associate superintendent, and superintendent of schools. He also taught 15 years full-time at The University of Georgia and Aurora University, as well as part time at Indiana University, Butler University, Northern Illinois University, National-Louis University, and North Central Colleges. He has a bachelor's degree from Hanover College, a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a doctorate in education from Indiana University. Poole resigned his last university professorship to found Lessons for Your Journey, Inc., and to devote himself full-time as a writer, public speaker, success coach, storyteller, and consultant to both profit and not-for-profit organizations.