Don’t Forget Those Soft Skills!

A few weeks ago I was at a school district wide meeting where teachers and parents came together for some frank conversation. A group of teachers representing multiple grade levels and subject matters presented to us (parents) a Teachers’ Wish List… It was the top 10 things teachers wished more parents would do at home to support their (the teachers’) efforts in the classroom. Now of course, standard things like checking homework folders daily, reading to your child and/or making them read every day and getting involved in school activities were among the things wished for. However one big wish

 

Why Public Schools Matter….

Ask yourself the question… What is the goal of education? Is it to gain specific knowledge and skills in order to get a good job or start a business? Is it to learn how be social and civic minded so that you can make the world a better place? What about this one; education’s goal is to teach people essential interpersonal skills and tolerance so that they can form successful relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Or maybe, it’s more simplistic than that.  Maybe, the goal of education is simply to help people attain their goals and realize their dreams.

 

Now Is the Time….

Hey there … How is everyone? Have you settled down from all the celebration of President Barack Obama being elected to a second term?  I haven’t.  I am still elated, full of hope, promise and looking forward to the next four years…. Ok, I know it’s a bit corny… (Ya’ll know me by now, LOL) but do take a minute to rejoice with me…. Click to Celebrate!
OK. Are you now finished doing your happy dance?  Good, now it’s time to get back to work…

 

Black History Month: Just Tryin’ to Help Out!

Hello Family!

Very briefly…. I prepared this document for Nia’s school and decided to post it on my blog in the event that there are any teachers, parents or administrators out there who need a quick and last minute resource to begin their Black History Month celebrations tomorrow!  It’s a “On This Day in Black History…” and gives an important fact for each day of the month…

 

World Read Aloud Day

Hello Family,

I hope all is well in the new year for everyone….

During last summer while attending the SOS Conference and March, I had the pleasure of meeting Ruby Veridiano; Lit Corps and Social Media Ambassador for an organization called Lit World.  She was a featured speaker at a conference session I attended on education and it’s role in world literacy. I felt an instant connection with Ruby. Her warm and personable demeanor made it very easy for me to engage in conversations going on during our conference session. I admired her passion and drive as she discussed her role in Girls LitClubs in NYC. I was just really impressed with her and the organization she represents. (oh, and not to mention; too, she told me she is a native of one of my favorite cities on the west coast (shout out to Oakland, CA) (smile)  Anyway, Ruby and I became instant friends….

 

Shaking My Head….

OK I know it’s the holiday season and everyone is supposed to be of good cheer, but again, I got frustrated and had to get this off my chest. I’ve been so busy lately that I am just now getting to sit down to write about it…

 A few weeks ago, I was in the library doing some work. As I was working, an interaction between a teacher and student caught my attention. The teacher was going over incomplete assignments the student had to finish before the end of the semester.  She points out what he had to do and tells him to sit at a table and get started; she was getting ready to give him an exam after that…

 I had to ask

 I made eye contact with the teacher and smiled. She smiled back and we started to talk.

 

The Question

It’s a moment all parents face…. and a few days ago I faced it for the first time… Nia comes home from school and begins telling me about all of her friends who are on Facebook! “Uh oh, here we go,” I said to myself.  Then came… THE QUESTION… “Mommy, can I have a Facebook account?”

 

African-American Parents, What Are You Waiting For?

Ok, Family I need your help… I was asked by my Asst. Principal at Nia’s school to serve as the Parent Council Representative of the local chapter of the NAACP.  In that role, I am charged with bringing together African–American parents in the school and creating an opportunity to share information, network, and discuss issues that affect our children in the school.

 In preparation for this, I began reflecting on my past experiences as a teacher…. Wondering what am I going to do?

 

The MLK Memorial

Yesterday, Nia and I went to see the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial down on the national mall. It was an interesting experience that I thought I’d share with you.

As I was traveling on the metro subway to get to the memorial, I was a little apprehensive. I had heard about all the controversy surrounding the sculptor, the stone used and the mis-quote… my expectation was rather low. I also was contemplating how Dr. King would feel today if he were here to see the state of our country. I shutter to think what he would say to those forces in our country seeking to destroy, instead of build.  But, I didn’t want to spoil the experience for Nia, so I kept quiet and walked to the memorial.

When we arrived, I got really excited.

 

The Arts in Education: It’s Up to Us!

   How is everyone doing? I hope you had a good restful summer. I expect that you followed my advice and kept your kids’ brain engaged this summer. Although, I had to pull teeth… Nia read throughout the summer, wrote several stories and practice her math skills, I had to bribe her with taking away trips to the pool if she didn’t do her work!

She also attended some meetings of the SOS March planning committee, and even gave her opinions of some questions march organizers had that needed the perspective of a kid! So, she got a taste of  organizing and social activism too!

Last week, we took a trip to see some friends in New York,