I entered teaching full-time in 2000. I was excited to begin a new life in a new city. The idea that I could finally be independent at the age of 21 was astounding. I was hired by a large school district in Maryland. I had daycare experience near the children's hospital during my college years and college training. I also had 6 months of substituting teaching experience in Buffalo and a heart full of gold and a head full of dreams. I signed a contract via the U.S. postal mail and I was excited to hop on the greyhound bus all the way from Buffalo to Union Station in Washington, DC.
Prior to graduating from college I knew that I was called to be a elementary school teacher and I had a strong desire to teach urban students because of my diverse background. I wanted my students to have a highly educated teacher so prior to becoming a teacher I volunteered in the classroom in order to become more knowledgeable. When I became a teacher other teachers and parents often remarked on how well trained I was for someone so young.
What was the secret of my success?
Well you see I had a lot of experience as a child care provider. When I was younger I was often in charge of my younger siblings and other kids for short stretches of times. This is where I learned how to play imagination play because we weren't able to watch tv. We had to use our imaginations when we got together. I usually opted for outdoor play where the entire neighborhood somehow got involved. Trying to find ways to keep other kids occupied was a challenge but at the same time it was exciting.
As I got older I missed participating in my pentecostal youth group due to unforeseen circumstances which was an amazing youth group experience for those older than me. But there was an age gap of about two years between me and the youth group and the younger children. I was an in-betweener so I had a lot of time to think and pray alone. When I transitioned to a new church I had to sit with the adults in the sanctuary until the younger group grew up and I was able to join up. When our church moved to a larger location in the suburbs to avoid sitting for long stretches during services I often volunteered to assist during church services with the little ones.* Being trained as a Sunday School helper as a teenager shaped me to become a leader. I learned how to juggle multiple projects at a time. I learn how to work well with a variety of people, and how to troubleshoot when necessary. I absolutely loved it because I was able to float freely between classes. I loved helping out in children's church and working with the toddlers and the preschoolers. I loved sharing my faith and I loved being around people of all ages. It gave me the opportunity to stay active, assist, and be creative. Plus, they had great snacks. In my book that was a win win.
How my school years prepared me for Leadership.
When I would got overwhelmed in the classroom at school I was very grateful to be able to be pulled out for special services where we did amazing computer art and I looked forward to those during highly stressful times. I preferred that over watching a movie in the classroom or doing regular seat work. When I was in elementary school and in high school I enjoyed hidding out in the library. Which also allowed me to take a break, learn, and meet interesting people. I was able to decompress and regroup and have lots of quiet time. Being a library helper helped me become a life long reader.
This helped me as a teacher in the regular classroom. I always surrounded myself and my students with a variety of reading material, print-rich environment, and gave them ample time to read and explore books. My goal was that by the end of the year they would fall in love with reading. You see, I learned early on that boredom is a great motivator to learning how to read. There are many ways to learn how to read and the secret is to find out what interest kids. I make sure not to limit their choices. I give them free choice because I learned that if a child wants to learn how to read something they will. Therefore, I don't tell them what they can or can not read due to their reading ability. It's important to give them the opportunity to read what interest them. I know for me that changes day by day. Something that interest me today won't tomorrow and then a few weeks or months I may return to it again or not. My story reminds me of Thurgood Marshalls story of his childhood. During my travels, I learned that when he got into trouble he was sent to the basement of his school where he had to read the U.S. constitution and history resources. Mmmm....this makes me think. What can we do to help shape our children today into leaders for tomorrow? Keep them reading.
How does being a reader enhances leadership skills? Reading teaches you how to look at things from different perspectives. It teaches you about history and it teaches you how to connect with others to learn more about the world. It teaches you how to appreciate and celebrate others' differences and how to treasure our seniors and the younger generations. Everyone has a story to tell and their story is our story.
Recently two of my Facebook friends commented and said that Black History is 365 days a year. In education we always say that phrase but this year was the first time it actually clicked in my head. That my story is a story that I need to share with the world regularly. God has given me an incredible opportunity to use technology to connect myself and others of my generation together with other generations. We can help support each other by telling our stories. We can connect our grandparents generation with the younger generations. We are the bridge that will allow our children to transcend time and connect with the great heroes of the past. Without our stories being written down our children and their children will not be able to thrive in the future. We must pause occasionally to record our important moments not just on paper or on social media like facebook, but digitally as well. We must organize our photos digitally and in scrapbooks and photo albums.
The younger generation spend majority of their time on the internet and we shouldn't forsake it either. We must be able to interrupt them on their way like Jesus has done for two thousand years. Jesus went out of his way to heal the sick and connect with his people. He came and sat with his people and feed them. Think women at the well story or one of my ultimate favorite Jesus flipping the tables over in the synagogue. He feed the gentiles and the jewish people.* Another interest fact I learned recently is that we must teach the younger generations how to read the Bible, cook, shop, basic survival skills and trainings, and the importance of healthy living. Healthy living is a dying art form which will greatly impact future generations and their ability to live long and healthy lives and increase their dependence on eating unhealthy foods.* We must be like Moses and ask God to provide us with Aarons and Marions to help us speak the language to His people. By reading and continually learning we can obtain the tools necessary to impact generations for years to come and help bring deliverance to them one at a time.
Citations:
Kid connect: Superbook
Can also find amazing episodes on YouTube of the Superbook.
Superbook has books like Esther for purchase which are beautifully written and illustrated.
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