Hello everyone. It’s your favorite tweens/teens author and educator wishing everyone a safe and beautiful summer. As many of you were already aware, I was out on medical due to having a procedure. Out of my class room for ten weeks, I returned back to work June 5th only to find this beautiful message on my chalk board. I guess me being out for so long took a toll on my sixth graders. It is truly great to be back.
Hello everyone. Summer is on the way and I have some good news to share. Despite of the delayed release of my third book, I am proud to say that it will be available for purchase on smash words the month of June. I am so excited about the release that I am finally displaying the cover for everyone to view. Please write me back when the time allows and let what you think about it.
Hello everyone. Despite of the fact that I’m two months behind,I’d like to start off by saying Happy 2013 to all. I know everyone is wondering, how come your favorite “Tweens” author hasn’t posted anything within the past four months? The answer to this question…BUSY. This youth advocate, and educator is back in school.
Teaching in the daytime and taking courses at night has taking a toll on my free time. The great news is that I’m three-fourths of the way done with obtaining educational requirements for re-certification purposes. Speaking of course requirements, some are definitely more exciting than others. Two months ago, I attended a “Wild Life” science seminar. That night, every teacher in attendance was provided an intermediate crash course on both exotic and wild life animals. We had an absolute ball. Yes…that Is me holding a REAL alligator.
To all of my fans waiting on my third book to be released please, don’t give up on me yet. My very first fictional “Tweens” book is coming soon. I promise not to disappoint.
Greetings and Happy Hump Day to you all! To all my fellow educators residing in Michigan, If you’re anything like me, you’re ecstatic that the 2012 MEAP testing window is just about over with! Every afternoon, I teach a very energetic group of male sixth graders. On Wednesdays, they attend Art. Picking them up today, I notice pure creativity at it’s best. My students were making the most beautiful creations out of old newspapers, glue, and water. Out of everything I observed, nothing amazed me more than the paper mask my boys created under the direction of “The Great Mr Hillie.” Seeing creations such as the two above in the picture is just one of the many reasons why schools should retain “The Arts” in every school and every district. Whether it’s dance, drama, art, or band, our kids need these classes just as much as they need reading, math, and science. Kudos to you Mr Hillie. You are one astounding Art Teacher and I am honored to say that I know you.
Greetings everyone. Wild, the season of Fall is absolutely beautiful. The various assortments of red, orange, and yellow leaves on the maple and oak trees here in Michigan are truly a site to behold.
Two weekends ago, I had the honor of attending a Bully Camp Hosted by Detroit Public Schools. I along with four of my male sixth grade students got on the “Big Cheese” and headed on up to Camp Burt Shurly. Along with various students from all over the city of Detroit, my students got an opportunity to attend seminars on bully prevention, and participate in fun activities such as boat riding and nature trail touring. On our way back home that Sunday afternoon, I thought to myself, what an awesome way for my youngsters to start their school year off. Did I fail to mention that the S’mores were pretty dog on good as well.
Greetings everyone. Finally, I’ve had the time to sit back for a second and blog about the beginning of my school year. I’ve been so busy this entire month. Infact, I cant’ believe that September of 2012 is practically over with. Although there have been some major adjustments to be made as an educator this year work load wise, I must admit, I love my home room class. They make my day every morning with their pleasant smiles. They give me the energy I need to deliver the best instruction I possibly can daily. I’m excited, and looking forward to both seeing and measuring the academic growth that takes place amongst them. Thus so far, they have already shown me that they are willing to give their best. With a group of youngsters so enthused and willing to learn, who could not take pleasure in being their teacher for the 2012-13 school year.
Greetings everyone on this spectacular Saturday night. As I sit here in the middle of the floor watching VH1, I’m thinking to myself, “wild I had one great summer.” Yeah…I had to do somethings for re-certification purposes. As a matter of fact, I have a paper that’s due by the fourth of September. I know I sound repetitive when I say this but the work of and educator is never done.
I got a chance to go see family members living out-of-town and the opportunity to visit Punta Cana. Visiting family members and going out of the country were two of my highlights for the summer of 2012. My literary highlight for the summer was having the opportunity to serve as a local author for the 2012 Reading and Rhythm Series in Detroit.
In front of approximately 60 kids from all over the South East Region of Michigan, I read Green Eggs and Ham, my favorite children’s book of all times. Reading the story aloud along with the kiddies repeating ”Sam I Am” together, we all had a blast in the name of literacy.
http://www.detroitriverfront.org/events/page/?_c=8BDBA2A9-3A63-4F33-95C7-BEB1A3B6C170
Hello everyone. Let me apologize for not posting the status of what took place the fifth week at the Impact Center. While typing it up to share with everyone on this blog, something happen with this word press and my entire write-up disappeared. Oh…how teriible it made me feel. Needless to say, last week’s session was great. We address and identified both the signs and characteristics of a misfit. Due to the fact that I considered myself to be an outcast as a youngster, this topic hit home with me personally. Turns out that more than 60% of the group classified themselves as individuals who don’t quite fit in with other students at school.
This morning the tone at the Detroit Impact Center was bitter-sweet. The good news is that this program which is so needed for the youth throughout the city has officially completed three consecutive years in a row. To celebrate the sucess of it all, Rodnesha Ross owner of “Simply Rodnesha”, a former student of mines from over 16 years ago joined us this morning to conduct an interview. ” The sad thing is that the 2012 program came to an end this morning.
Each student was asked if they benefited from this program and would they recommend it to other youngsters or young adults in the city. Most of the students said this six-week session positively impacted their lives. One of the students stated they were knowledgeable about the information presented however, it helped them tremendously with improving their listening skills.
A female participant stated that this program made them realize that everyone does not think or respond to everything the same way. In my opinion one of the young adult males stated the most valid point of all the six sessions held this summer. His words were the following, “we all have problems.” Instantly my face lit up from his response because he was so correct. No human on earth will ever be able to by-pass life’s trials and tribulations no matter what. The question at-hand is how do we conduct and handle ourselves during the process? Discovering the appropriate and correct way to handle ourselves is truly what this program is about. We closed out the session with the “Unity Circle” pledge and a big round of applause.
I truly enjoyed the group from 2012 and I look forward to the summer of 2013. Everyone be on the lookout for the testimonial video which will be posted very soon.
Happy Hump Day to everyone. I had a great time with my youth today at the Detroit Impact Center. Finishing up with our session this afternoon, I realized that next Wednesday is the last socialization skills session for the summer of 2012. Wild… the summer sure does moves fast.
Speaking of moving fast, while purchasing a few items at the local Office Max the other day, I noticed that school supplies are out and ready to purchased by parents preparing their youngsters to head back to school. Office Max unlike any other store I had purchased items for had ready-made school supply list for each grade. Due to the fact that I currently teach sixth grade, I picked up a copy of the list so that I could share it with everyone.
According to Office Max, students entering the sixth grade this fall should have the following supplies for the 2012-13 school year: (12) Pencils (2) Glue Sticks (1) White Glue (1) Pink Eraser (1)White Eraser (1)Pks. Washable Felt Markers (1) Pair of Scissors (1) Pencil Case (10) Pocket Folders (2) Pkg. Lined Paper (1) Pkg Plain Paper (4) Lined Note Books (5) Blue Pens (2) Red Pens (1) Ruler (1) Pkg. Pencil Crayons (2) 1″ Binders (8) Subject Dividers (1) Scientific Calculator (1) Geometry Set (1) Pocket Dictionary (1) Pencil Sharpener (3) Highlighter Pens
There were two e-books that were not on this list however they in my opinion would make great back to school items just as well. For just the price of $1.00 per read, click on the two links below and purchase both of these reads for your youngsters tonight.
Greetings to everyone this lovely Tuesday night. It’s only the second day of the week and I feel as if I’ve worked five. This past weekend I went to Indiana. Assuming the role as one of the selected brides maids, I had the honor of seeing my brother re-new his marriage vows to his beautiful wife of over 14 years. The ceremony was amazing.
On the other hand, I am in the process of writing a five to seven page unit in the content area of Science for re-certification purposes. Folks I tell you I haven’t been academically challenged like this in years. After-all, I’m a ELA instructor for peace sakes!
Last week at the Detroit Impact Center, our topic of discussion was “Happiness.” I knew there was something wonderful about this 2012 group. They seem to the know the secret to happiness already at such mild and tender ages. After posing the question, I assumed a lot their responses would be following; shopping, nice cars, and lot’s of money. Well…a few of them did mention money but, not as many as I thought.
The majority of the group stated that spending time with their families make them very happy. Another stated that spending time with their darling baby girl makes them happier than anything on this entire planet. One mentioned that reading a good book was the best. On an even funnier note, a lot of my young people like me, love to eat. Just about everyone said that eating a good meal makes them happy. I was even more impressed with the fact that someone stated spending time with like-minded individuals makes their day just a little more brighter.
As I mentioned earlier…this group already knows the secret to having a life filled with very happy and joyous days. They’re smart enough to see that the simple things in life such as spending time with family, eating, and growing, is truly what being happy is all about. Tomorrow our weekly topic of discussion is “The challenges of Being an Out-Cast in School. Looking forward to sharing the results with everyone next week.
