Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).
The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.
The New Blueprint: Why Vo-Tech is No Longer Your Grandfather's Shop Class
: Some modern vo-tech districts now offer certifications in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, teaching students machine learning, virtual reality, and Python programming. vo tech schools
In an era of skyrocketing college debt and a desperate shortage of skilled labor, vo-tech schools are emerging as the pragmatic—and increasingly prestigious—powerhouses of modern education. Beyond the Wrench: The High-Tech Pivot The New Blueprint: Why Vo-Tech is No Longer
For decades, vocational-technical schools (or "vo-tech") carried a stubborn, dusty stereotype: they were seen as the fallback for students who "couldn't make the grade" in traditional academics. Fast forward to today, and that image is being dismantled by a high-tech revolution. Fast forward to today, and that image is
One of the most compelling arguments for vo-tech is the financial freedom it offers. Many graduates enter the workforce in their late teens or early twenties with zero student debt and specialized skills that command high starting salaries.
: Construction and automotive trades have leveled up. Today’s mechanics are "technicians" using advanced software to diagnose complex vehicles, and modern building codes require construction workers to operate at near-engineer levels. The "Debt-Free" Advantage
The "shop class" of the past has evolved into sophisticated laboratories. While you can still find programs for future plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, you're just as likely to see students coding.