Thursday, July 10, 2008
Looking Ahead
A few weeks to go in July and August will kick in. Don't wait until August 30th is upon you to begin to reflect upon plans for the upcoming school year. Enjoy the rest of July and half of August then start thinking about working smarter not harder. Every year we learn how to do things a little better and we learn from our mistakes of yesterday. Some of you will be returning to new classrooms, new schools, new positions or just embracing new students or administrators. Whatever the case may be, prepare your mind for the challenges ahead and embrace a positive attitude for your new season. Enjoy where you are but don't neglect to look ahead and prayerfully implement strategies to help you reach your new goals.
Laughter is Good for the Soul!
It's good to reflect on things that make you laugh. I was looking through my class pictures and as I looked at certain students I was reminded of funny incidents that occured in the classroom. I had the pleasure of teaching a student from Ghana this year and he taught us many things from his country. One day we were integrating dance and movement into a lesson as we elaborated on motion and action. The class could not stop laughing as they watched themselves, and especially me, trying to catch on to an African dance. I often wrote songs about concepts and I enjoyed watching the students laugh with excitement as I taught them new beats and rhymes. Boy did we have alot of fun! Are there any funny stories you encountered this school year? Share them with us and make us laugh ourselves silly.
Refresh Yourself!
Being a good educator takes hard work and dedication. During the school year there is so much on our plate that we don't have much time to do the things that we like. Below is a list of things that educators need to do for themselves to help refresh their minds, bodies, and souls.
1. This summer take time to read for leisure as well as professionally.
2. Go to the beach or pool and relax.
3. Don't be afraid to nap during the day if needed.
4. Remind yourself of the things that make you happy.
5. Make some "ME" time every day.
6. Take brisk walks in the park.
7. Spend quality time with your family.
8. Spend time with God.
9. Do something creative.
10. Take time to do something kind for someone else.
1. This summer take time to read for leisure as well as professionally.
2. Go to the beach or pool and relax.
3. Don't be afraid to nap during the day if needed.
4. Remind yourself of the things that make you happy.
5. Make some "ME" time every day.
6. Take brisk walks in the park.
7. Spend quality time with your family.
8. Spend time with God.
9. Do something creative.
10. Take time to do something kind for someone else.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Why Listen?
It's important to listen to what others say. As I was growing up I often would hear people talk about how much my little cousins and children of friends enjoyed being around me. I was not aware of what I was doing at the time but as I became an adult and reflected back, I remembered being frustrated when kids would come over my house and run around all day. I would make them sit down and color, draw pictures, or read books. My family members came to know that if their kids came to our house they were going to have to do work. When it was time for me to graduate from high school, I was unsure of what to do. I enrolled in college but could not get a grip on why I was there and what I wanted to pursue. I ignored the voice within reminding me of how I enjoyed watching children, reading, writing, and learning. I walked a frustrated path for 12 years because every job I pursued was not satisfying. When I finally headed towards education, doors opened for me and I realized what educating was all about. I reached my destination, I'm not done yet but feel I could have accomplished so much if I had stopped and listened 12 years earlier. Take time to listen to the voice of education. Many changes are needed and many times the solution resides on the inside of someone who genuinely care.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The voice of a child
Children come to school each day battling external obstacles that have nothing to do with education. When they show up, it is important that teachers embrace their potential and connect with students to motivate them to learn and charge them to move beyond the voices of the barriers that surface each day to hinder them from learning.
The below poem is titled, "From The Heart of A Child". It demonstrates what students face when taught by teachers whose number one priority is Curriculum first, understanding later.
From The Heart Of A Child
My house was too noisy, I could not sleep last night,
The next day, I struggled to go to school because I
remembered someone say that I was bright.
That dim little hope that led me to school that day,
Was quickly removed when I could not repeat what
my teacher wanted me to say.
I said,"I'm tired", she said, "too bad, you need to go to bed
at night, students who do their part are the ones who end up bright."
Tears began to well up inside, but instead of getting emotional
I held my pride.
I said, "Forget you teacher you don't understand."
And just as I suspected, she began to reprimand.
She sent me out of the room and again I missed alot of work,
When I returned to class she treated me like dirt.
When it was time for a test, I didn't have confidence to spell,
Instead of encouraging me to do better, my teacher yelled.
"I hate school," I said "I should have stayed at home. At least when
I'm there I'm left alone."
The school day finally ended and again I've been a disgrace,
and my teacher is relieved that I'm going home and getting out of her face.
Teachers,
How are you reaching?
What are you teaching?
The below poem is titled, "From The Heart of A Child". It demonstrates what students face when taught by teachers whose number one priority is Curriculum first, understanding later.
From The Heart Of A Child
My house was too noisy, I could not sleep last night,
The next day, I struggled to go to school because I
remembered someone say that I was bright.
That dim little hope that led me to school that day,
Was quickly removed when I could not repeat what
my teacher wanted me to say.
I said,"I'm tired", she said, "too bad, you need to go to bed
at night, students who do their part are the ones who end up bright."
Tears began to well up inside, but instead of getting emotional
I held my pride.
I said, "Forget you teacher you don't understand."
And just as I suspected, she began to reprimand.
She sent me out of the room and again I missed alot of work,
When I returned to class she treated me like dirt.
When it was time for a test, I didn't have confidence to spell,
Instead of encouraging me to do better, my teacher yelled.
"I hate school," I said "I should have stayed at home. At least when
I'm there I'm left alone."
The school day finally ended and again I've been a disgrace,
and my teacher is relieved that I'm going home and getting out of her face.
Teachers,
How are you reaching?
What are you teaching?
Norfolk 17
50 years ago, 17 African American students fearfully and boldly entered segregated schools to pave a way for entrance into all white schools.
Photo: Courtesy of First Baptist Church
(Top L-R): Andrew Heidelberg, Louis Cousins, Pat Godbolt,
Carol Wellington, Reginald Young, Freddie Gonsoulaud,
Eddie Jordan, Olivia Driver; (Bottom L-R): Betty Jean Reed,
Johnnie Rouse, Delores Brown, LaVera Forbes, James Turner,
Lolita Portis, Patricia Turner, Claudia Wellington, and
Geraldine Talley.
Louis Cousins was one of the Norfolk 17 who made a major impact on the Norfolk Public School System.
Picture of Pain ...And Promise
By Wil LaVeist
The photo is as sad as it is inspiring. Louis Cousins sitting in Maury High School’s auditorium filled with students, but he’s alone, as if he’s a pariah. The reason? The picture is clear. Cousins’ face is the only black one. From that defining moment in 1959, Cousins went on to graduate. He joined the military and served his country in Vietnam. He married, finished college, and raised a family. He’s a successful medical technologist in San Antonio and will retire soon. Still, he’s never forgotten that moment captured on film. He doesn’t want to forget it. The following are Cousins’ thoughts shared during a recent interview with MIX:
“My mother left me at the school door with the assistant principal and he escorted me to the auditorium. I decided I wanted to sit in the front and nobody wanted to sit near me. It was complete isolation. I was wondering, ‘Did I make a mistake.’ I was trying to survive in that school. The picture was taken and I was sitting there like that... I was on an Island by myself. I was thinking, ‘Why are you here.’ When you’re a young man like that you’re idealistic about the world. You don’t expect people to treat each other in that way. But your family is so proud of you and you don’t want to let them down. You don’t want to let anybody down.”
How He Coped:
“I had a very good strong support from the family. Then it’s the inner strength and faith that you have. You have to have determination, plus you have to be a little stubborn. I don’t like people telling me that I can’t do something. It makes me want to prove them wrong… You still have scars.
You’re going to always have scars. If you’re wise you learn to deal with it and use those scars as a means to progress forward. Education is the one true thing that people respect in this world. If you have the education and get your foot in the door, you can prove that you can do the job.
There are incidents among the 17 that were never published and are only known among us. Some of the others may choose to tell you. I was spat on at school. I had a cross burned on my yard.
I had police follow me back and forth to school for a period of time. My parents were promised finances for me for school, but it never materialized. After I graduated I went to Norfolk State for about a year and a half. My parents couldn’t really afford to keep me there and truthfully, my maturity really wasn’t there yet. So I went to the military.
The military was my way out. But I really wanted to go to ODU (Old Dominion University). I applied and qualified, but I was turned down. That same school that wouldn’t let me in the door because I was Black, they sent me a letter years later wanting to use some of my artifacts for their Black History Month program, as if it was OK It was not OK I shredded the letter.”
Regarding The City of Norfolk:
“The city and the history books are trying to say integration in Norfolk was so peaceful. That it was well received. That’s what I resent. I know that it was not well received and it was not without incident. Norfolk fought a political war. Norfolk was forced to do what they did.
They fought it all the way. They tested 151 (Black) students and out of the 151 only 17 were picked? Then they decided where the students would go. A lot of people don’t know that.
I’ve heard that people say I haven’t come back because it was too painful. That’s not the case. I’ve been back plenty of times, especially when I’m not contacted on too short of notice. If the city wants to pay to fly me in like they would a speaker, sure I’ll come.”
On The Significance of The Norfolk 17 For Today:
“It’s history. It happened. It should be an inspiration to people that they can do it. When I speak to people you can see that they’re really interested. But they really don’t want to believe it happened…It had a definite impact on me. It gave me the sense of the importance of education and the reason for it.
You need education to progress in this world. The pain, it hangs with you. You don’t forget it. lt made me a stronger individual, but, however, I wouldn’t want to repeat it. It was a very painful thing…There appears to be a missing generation.
The generation I came from stressed that education was the way to succeed and progress. The existing generation they seem to think it’s automatic. We and the people before me, we opened the doors. The problem now is that a lot of young people figure they can just show up and say, ‘I’m here. Hand it to me.’ You give them so much because you don’t want them to suffer.
I’m guilty of that too. But in the process they don’t realize what it’s like to have hard times. It serves them an injustice that they don’t realize they can’t have everything without hard work. Some kids think you’re obligated to give them a car when they graduate from high school. Imagine that?”
Photo: Courtesy of First Baptist Church
(Top L-R): Andrew Heidelberg, Louis Cousins, Pat Godbolt,
Carol Wellington, Reginald Young, Freddie Gonsoulaud,
Eddie Jordan, Olivia Driver; (Bottom L-R): Betty Jean Reed,
Johnnie Rouse, Delores Brown, LaVera Forbes, James Turner,
Lolita Portis, Patricia Turner, Claudia Wellington, and
Geraldine Talley.
Louis Cousins was one of the Norfolk 17 who made a major impact on the Norfolk Public School System.
Picture of Pain ...And Promise
By Wil LaVeist
The photo is as sad as it is inspiring. Louis Cousins sitting in Maury High School’s auditorium filled with students, but he’s alone, as if he’s a pariah. The reason? The picture is clear. Cousins’ face is the only black one. From that defining moment in 1959, Cousins went on to graduate. He joined the military and served his country in Vietnam. He married, finished college, and raised a family. He’s a successful medical technologist in San Antonio and will retire soon. Still, he’s never forgotten that moment captured on film. He doesn’t want to forget it. The following are Cousins’ thoughts shared during a recent interview with MIX:
“My mother left me at the school door with the assistant principal and he escorted me to the auditorium. I decided I wanted to sit in the front and nobody wanted to sit near me. It was complete isolation. I was wondering, ‘Did I make a mistake.’ I was trying to survive in that school. The picture was taken and I was sitting there like that... I was on an Island by myself. I was thinking, ‘Why are you here.’ When you’re a young man like that you’re idealistic about the world. You don’t expect people to treat each other in that way. But your family is so proud of you and you don’t want to let them down. You don’t want to let anybody down.”
How He Coped:
“I had a very good strong support from the family. Then it’s the inner strength and faith that you have. You have to have determination, plus you have to be a little stubborn. I don’t like people telling me that I can’t do something. It makes me want to prove them wrong… You still have scars.
You’re going to always have scars. If you’re wise you learn to deal with it and use those scars as a means to progress forward. Education is the one true thing that people respect in this world. If you have the education and get your foot in the door, you can prove that you can do the job.
There are incidents among the 17 that were never published and are only known among us. Some of the others may choose to tell you. I was spat on at school. I had a cross burned on my yard.
I had police follow me back and forth to school for a period of time. My parents were promised finances for me for school, but it never materialized. After I graduated I went to Norfolk State for about a year and a half. My parents couldn’t really afford to keep me there and truthfully, my maturity really wasn’t there yet. So I went to the military.
The military was my way out. But I really wanted to go to ODU (Old Dominion University). I applied and qualified, but I was turned down. That same school that wouldn’t let me in the door because I was Black, they sent me a letter years later wanting to use some of my artifacts for their Black History Month program, as if it was OK It was not OK I shredded the letter.”
Regarding The City of Norfolk:
“The city and the history books are trying to say integration in Norfolk was so peaceful. That it was well received. That’s what I resent. I know that it was not well received and it was not without incident. Norfolk fought a political war. Norfolk was forced to do what they did.
They fought it all the way. They tested 151 (Black) students and out of the 151 only 17 were picked? Then they decided where the students would go. A lot of people don’t know that.
I’ve heard that people say I haven’t come back because it was too painful. That’s not the case. I’ve been back plenty of times, especially when I’m not contacted on too short of notice. If the city wants to pay to fly me in like they would a speaker, sure I’ll come.”
On The Significance of The Norfolk 17 For Today:
“It’s history. It happened. It should be an inspiration to people that they can do it. When I speak to people you can see that they’re really interested. But they really don’t want to believe it happened…It had a definite impact on me. It gave me the sense of the importance of education and the reason for it.
You need education to progress in this world. The pain, it hangs with you. You don’t forget it. lt made me a stronger individual, but, however, I wouldn’t want to repeat it. It was a very painful thing…There appears to be a missing generation.
The generation I came from stressed that education was the way to succeed and progress. The existing generation they seem to think it’s automatic. We and the people before me, we opened the doors. The problem now is that a lot of young people figure they can just show up and say, ‘I’m here. Hand it to me.’ You give them so much because you don’t want them to suffer.
I’m guilty of that too. But in the process they don’t realize what it’s like to have hard times. It serves them an injustice that they don’t realize they can’t have everything without hard work. Some kids think you’re obligated to give them a car when they graduate from high school. Imagine that?”
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