James Parkinson Lecturer, Attorney & Author Autodidactic, Self-Taught Instilling life long learning skills through reading. About the Program To instill in students a desire to become life-long learners through reading, James Parkinson, a Coachella Valley attorney, and Douglas P. Miller, an Associate Justice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two, have developed a one-hour presentation especially geared toward high school students. Mr. Parkinson is the author of the book Autodidactic, Self-Taught and Mr. Parkinson and Justice Miller use this book to illustrate the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own education by emphasizing vocabulary building, reading, and writing. In their presentations the two show their innate ability to connect with students. Students leave the room feeling like they have come away with a new sense of commitment to take responsibility for their own education. How the Program Works The program lasts one hour and at the conclusion of the program each student is presented with a signed copy of Autodidactic, Self-Taught for them to keep as part of their personal library. For many who have heard Jim’s presentation this is the first book they have ever owned! Mr. Parkinson is fluent in Spanish and relates well to ESL students. The cost of the books is underwritten by various local organizations. In the Coachella Valley, Youth Town Hall provides for the books. Youth Town Hall is a program of Desert Forum, Inc. a nonprofit corporation – 501 (c)(3). Desert Forum also produces the stellar speaker series Desert Town Hall – Indian Wells. Web sites: www.youthtownhall.org www.deserttownhall.org About the Book “Jimmy, do you want to be as ignorant today as you were yesterday?” “I wrote this book because I wanted to share with you how I became me and hopefully inspire you to take responsibility for your own life and understand the magic of being self-taught. Geoff Colvin, in his best selling book Talent if Overrated, got it right when he said ‘great performance is in our hands far more than most of us every suspected.’ Autodidactic, Self-Taught puts the responsibility for your education back where it belongs—in your hands!” —James W. Parkinson “In Jim Parkinson’s entertaining and enlightening book, all students can learn how to take responsibility for their own success through word mastery.” —Senator Orrin G. Hatch “Parkinson’s journey is an amazing story of perseverance and compassion. A fascinating read for both young and old.” —Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Riverside, CA “As if making a case before a trial jury, Jim Parkinson makes an indisputable argument that should be learned by this and future generations—we need to turn off the electronic distractions all around us and do what the great leaders of the past have done: read. I intend to share this work with my students on campus and hope all young people will take heed of the message in this well-written and very enjoyable book.” —Dr. Michael T. Benson President, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT More >> Justice, Douglas P. Miller Literacy 21, Executive Director Justice, Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 2 Copyright © 2008 Desert Forum, Inc. All Rights Reserved.