Christopher Albrecht has been a fourth-grade teacher in Brockport for 23 years. On July 12, the 2018 New York State Teacher of the Year and 2019 Inductee to the National Teachers Hall of Fame held a launch event for his second book, The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose (NFB Publishing, Buffalo, New York), at the Hall of Fame in Kansas. Written from the vantage point of an educator who has invested years of attention to the lives of students, families, and community members, this book contains explicit examples to guide readers by focusing on factors that can improve individuals and communities. It is designed to drive home the message that hope and purpose are eternal fires ready to be rediscovered.
Dr. Jacob Cianci-Gaskill, Ph.D., spoke on behalf of the book at its launch event. Cianci-Gaskill was Albrecht’s student for two years, from 2001 to 2003, and is Albrecht’s first student to receive his doctorate in biology from the University of Missouri. Shortly after Cianci-Gaskill, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten gave a passionate speech about Albrecht’s book calling it “revolutionary, brilliant, and a groundbreaking work meant for all people. This is our new guidebook. People need this book right now.”
Albrecht was joined at his book kickoff in Kansas by his wife, son, and 86-year-old father. “It meant so much to me to be joined on this journey with my family and a student who has become a close friend,” Albrecht said.
With this book, Albrecht had to create a new genre of writing, coining Investigative Social Philosophy. The book includes interviews with ten inspiring people from all walks of life – from the last American homesteader in Alaska to Harvard President Lawrence Bacow to three-time NCAA National Champion Head Football Coach Tom Osborn. “I utilize the interviews as the springboards for each of the chapters after which I present compelling firsthand experiences and historical references,”Albrecht said. “All interviews have a central focus on the interviewee’s understanding of hope and purpose.”
Most noteworthy is Albrecht’s interview with iconic children’s author Beverly Cleary. At the time, she was 104 years old, and Albrecht’s interview with her was likely the last before her death. Her interview, in its entirety, is included in the book. “An American treasure who was read by my grandparents all the way through my own kids, Beverly Cleary’s interview provides incredible wisdom about the wisdom of those that grow very old.”
Other interviewees include Peter Mehlman, the co-producer of Seinfeld; Kathrine Switzer, the first female runner of the Boston Marathon; world-renown whittler Chris Lubkemann; the founder of Field of Dreams Uganda, Michael Warneke; globally recognized photographer, QT Luong; and 5-Hour Energy founder Manoj Bhargava.
Albrecht said, “My hope in writing The Rediscovery of Hope and Purpose is to provide stability, joy, and clarity as we emerge out of uncertain times.” The catalyst for the book was a letter Christopher’s father, Werner Albrecht, sent him in March of 2020. The news of toilet paper shortages early in the COVID pandemic inspired him to chronicle a similar phenomenon he witnessed as a German boy during World War II. “My father saw seven years of war, and essentially his father was gone the entire time. I saw parallels to today’s challenges. He is a hopeful man of purpose, and that letter made me want to capture this phenomenon.” Memoir letters from his father are peppered throughout the book.
Albrecht released his first book, Unconventionally Successful (NFB Publishing, Buffalo, NY), in 2020. It sheds light on many unconventional and potentially unconsidered out-of-the-box thoughts and actions that led to extraordinary outcomes. He is also a contributing writer for American Educator Magazine, with a subscription size of 1.7 million educators.
Both of Albrecht’s books can be ordered through christopheralbrecht.com (personalized and signed copies), nfbpublishing.com, or Amazon.com.
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