Jack E. George

 

Jack E. George was born in Oakdale, CA, the rodeo capital of the world. As a baby he moved to Modesto, CA where he grew up and spent most of his adult years. He graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a B.A. Degree in Sociology. He spent a number of years teaching elementary school then left to open the first tutoring center in Stanislaus County. Years later, he opened a private school for Grades K-8. Most of his professional years have been in the field of education.

Jack later attended Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. There he earned his California teaching credential in Special Education. He also earned his Master's Degree at NDNU.

Jack's focus is now in the field of special education; specifically , working with autistic students. He has been trained through the specialized TEACCH program as well as in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is presently writing his second book, My Autistic Brother -Growing Up Alone and Sad that will be completed in 2006.Jack's future plans include writing basic math books specifically for autistic children.

Visit Jack at http://jackegeorge.com/

 

PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Jack E. George: I was born in Oakdale, CA - the rodeo capital of the world. Before I was a year old my family moved to Modesto, CA where I spent my life prior to moving to the bay area, of CA, in the late 1990's. As a child I read like most young people. I can't say I was a veracious reader but I probably read more than the average person. I always enjoyed writing. I majored in journalism and received my A.A. when I entered junior college.

The earliest influences in my life were my mom, dad, and sister. My teachers always played a major role and had an impact on me. My friends also influenced me. As far as a major figure President John F. Kennedy inspired me.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Your focus is now in the field of special education; specifically, working with autistic students -- Tell us about this.

Jack E. George: I left teaching regular education as I started to feel burnt-out - it seemed the students didn't have the desire to learn as they once did. I started to see major behavioral changes, to the negative, that became more difficult to deal with. I left education for a few years. During these years I had contact with a number of disabled people in different working environments. One day I saw an opening for a special education teacher. I applied and I was hired. I knew very little about autistic children but, after accepting the job, it was my challenge to learn everything I could as quickly as I could. Working with autistic children is a daily challenge, a constant learning situation, and a rewarding experience. I wish I had been exposed earlier as I would have dedicated by entire career to this population. The autistic children I work with are severely handicapped. They have multiple problems including the fact they are non-verbal. Therefore, it is usually necessary for my staff and myself to develop a keen sense of understanding, as we need to frequently try to interpret and understand what is happening with a child. I plan to remain in special education until I retire.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: A Broken Charity is a riveting narrative about how the author dealt with the end of the Jewish Educational Center. What is the lesson to be learned from this book? What did twriting this book teach you?

Jack E. George: What is to be learned from A Broken Charity is that a dynasty can so easily be destroyed. I refer to the charity as a dynasty because it was a remarkable organization offering so many programs, to so many people, in the Jewish/Russian community of San Francisco. Since I had a day-to-day contact with the charity I accumulated a vast amount of notes, memos, and other pieces of information that meant little independently - however, when putting all of this information together it taught me two great lessons when completing the book - something my family taught me at a very young age - it pays to be honest and honesty is the best policy.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Why did you write A Broken Charity -- What did you learn while writiing this book?

Jack E. George: I started keeping daily notes regarding the Jewish Educational Center before I ever started working there. I detailed my interview and my observations. Then, after I started my position I kept notes simply to learn and try to understand this charity that was foreign to me. I used these writings as a learning tool. Then, after the I.R.S. raided the JEC I kept more detailed notes. I started taking a notebook to work. If I came across a conversation, a meeting, or anything during the day I found interesting I would write it down while it was fresh in my mind. Shortly after the raid, after being interviewed by the press, after watching the mood swings of staff, learning I was an outsider looking in - I told Mattie Pil I was going to write a book. Mattie shrugged her shoulders, as she often did, and replied, "Huh, who will read it?"

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Tell us about Rabbi Bentzion Pil and his wife Mattie -

Jack E. George: Rabbi Bentzion Pil and his wife, Mattie, are both interesting figures. I had much more contact with Mattie then I did with the Rabbi. Rabbi was a big man with the full beard that dangled down to his chest. His eyes, framed by his glasses, would often focus and stare for a long period of time. His English was spoken in a broken manner. The Russian would come out of him when he became angry or irritated or, if he didn't want me, or others present, to understand what he was saying. He is an intense man. Once he sets his mind to something he has a strong determination. My personal opinion is that Rabbi Pil was attempting to make life better for the Jewish and Russian community in San Francisco. However, his determination sometimes got the best of him and he was self-determined with whatever it took to accomplish whatever he wanted. I had constant contact with Mattie. She can be a delightful character. She can also be difficult. She has a certain charm about her that attracts people to her. She seemed very well liked by the parents at the school. Her followers, as were most of the Rabbi's, were very supportive.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Why did the I.R.S. close the charity/school?

Jack E. George: The I.R.S. entered the main charity building in the middle of June without a hint. We were all surprised, bewildered, and held some fear. Their goal, from my understanding, was to untangle the complicated financial situation of the charity. It is also my understanding that the complication finances were never satisfactorily untangled. Once the charity was closed this had a direct effect on the school as well as all of the other programs operating under the umbrella of the charity - ESL programs, the food program, and so forth.

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with A Broken Charity What do you hope readers will take away after reading A Broken Charity?

Jack E. George: I had a strong inner need and desire to write this book. To me it became a part of history. I am not inferring that it was history like World War 1 or the collapse of the Berlin Wall - but it was a piece of San Francisco history. It affected thousands of people directly. It is my hope that people reading this book will have a better understanding of what really happened. The media painted one picture of the charity and the Pils; the Pils painted a different picture, particularly when the Rabbi spoke against any of the governmental entities, and the truth, I believe, meets some place in the middle.

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com: What has been your feedback from readers?

Jack E. George: The feedback I have had from readers, to date, has been 100% positive and supportive. For example, on Amazon.com my reviews have all received the highest rating of 5 stars. In addition I have received excellent reviews that have made me feel really good - like my effort has reached the goal I had created.

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com: What's next?

Jack E. George: I am presently writing my second book. It is tentatively entitled: My Autistic Brother - Growing up Alone and Sad. This is a fictional story about a young adult who reflects back to his growing years. During part of this time he assumed he had cancer and that he was dying. During all of this time, no matter what he did, he couldn't get the love and support from his parents as they dedicated their life to his younger sibling who was severely autistic. It details his feelings toward his brother particularly when they were in public and his brother would have a tantrum, or behave inappropriately while the public didn't understand. I am bringing in a lot of my daily experiences of working with this special population and I am enjoying writing every word.

I will remain in my present position as a special education teacher until I retire. I enjoy going to work each day and working with my students. Sometimes it may take an entire school year to teach one of my children how to cut with a pair of scissors - but, do you have any idea of how you feel inside when the day comes that the child actually cuts a piece of paper independently?

Looking beyond a few years I plan to write textbooks specifically for autistic children. It is important to understand that 1 out of every 166 newborns results in the birth of an autistic child. We are at the infancy of this disorder but we need to be better prepared to meet their needs. I want to write introduction levels of math books.

 

 

PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?

Jack E. George: The last book I read was an autobiography by Temple Grandin, Thinking in Pictures. She is one of the most well known autistic people alive. She completed high school. She then went on to earn her bachelor's degree. Her Master's and then her PhD followed this. She details her difficulties growing up and being autistic. It is really a fascinating look at a child suffering from this disorder. Aside from being an author she also is a leading livestock designer and lecturer. She is really a phenomenal woman

 

 

 

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Jack E. George: I have a number of hobbies. One of my most relaxing is that of coin collecting. I mostly collect the U.S. Mint sets. I like to buy coins that haven't been in circulation. I also enjoy traveling, walking, going to my cabin in the mountains, being with family and friends, and learning. One hobby that I intend to return to one day in the near future is oil painting. Oil painting takes me as far away from reality as I can get. It is truly a relaxing hobby. When I relax I have a much clearer mind that allows me to write.