Hearing that a 16-year-old honors student had been beaten to death saddened me, but seeing it made me livid. It’s a good thing the Day of Atonement is upon us because I have some serious atoning to do. I’ll be back on Wednesday.

Post Title Download: Gary Jules – “Mad World” from Donnie Darko

George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management and founder of The Open Society Institute, is one of the richest men in the world and has donated over $6 billion during the course of his career.

Earlier this week, he announced a $35 million gift to support low-income families across the state of New York purchasing supplies and clothing for the new school year. He then spoke with TIME about the program.

I can’t wait until I’m able to do something similar.

Post Title Download: Michael Jackson – “I Wanna Be Where You Are” from Got to Be There

Portfolio is closing.

The monthly business magazine published by publishing giant Condé Nast centered on business coverage but also featured fashion and lifestyle content. I remember reading the premier issue back in 2007 thinking, “This is perfect!”

Forward to 2009, and the magazine is the latest in a line of my favorites (Blender, Best Life, Domino, Plenty and Men’s Vogue) that have closed their doors.

I can’t help but feel partly responsible.

I can’t remember the last time I purchased a magazine, and my paid subscriptions have long expired. I’d much rather read the articles online, for convenience and cost reasons.

According to Adweek, “Magazines have watched consumers and ad dollars migrate online at the expense of print and other forms of traditional media.”

Online media dominates, and it’s for that reason that traditional forms must either suffer or learn how to endure.

Post Title Download: Queen – “Another One Bites the Dust” from The Game

So that’s how you deal with a special needs child? I should have had someone like Ms. Portillo as a mentor when I was working with kids so I’d know how to educate special needs children.

I was under the impression that you provide a personal, individualized education plan for the child and show them that you truly care about them and their success. You let them know that they are both truly special and just like any other kid. You tell them to believe in themselves because you believe in them and you never let them forget it.

Boy, was I wrong.

According to the Portillo Model, you’re supposed to stand the child in front of the class and allow them to be ridiculed by their peers. A vote should then be taken to determine if the child is deemed worthy to remain in the class.

No wonder I didn’t become a teacher.

I have so much to learn.