Athens, GA: Home Sweet Home

Over the past few weeks, I have been promoting my second multicultural children's book entitled Play Dates and Other Tales. Yes, it is the beginning of my tour of cities. However, one city that I love (and that loves me back) is my hometown, Athens, GA.

I moved to Athens, GA when I was 11 years old with my family. Fortunately, I was shown love and acceptance from the very first day. Peers welcomed me right away eventhough I was the new girl. It didn't matter to them that I had a serious southern drawl or that I was a preacher's kid...they just wanted to embrace me.

Now, years have passed, and I find myself embracing "home" and thanking people who have supported me from the very beginning and who continue to support me. That's a tremendous blessing.

So to Ebenezer Baptist Church West, JJ Harris Elementary School, Fowler Drive Elementary, the Athens-Clarke County Library, Borders Books, the Athens/Atlanta communities, family and dear friends, thanks for a fun ride last week. It was a BLAST, and I was totally inspired! Athens will always be my "home sweet home".

The President's Educational Address Sparks Controversy?

Over the course of a week, I have been hearing negative comments publicized by our news media about President Obama's educational address to our students and youth. After listening to his presentation today, I'm still wondering what the controversy is over his speech.

What's wrong with asking the youth to take responsibility for themselves? What's wrong in letting ALL students know that they can have a better life if they choose to focus, study hard, ask questions, and participate in activities? What's wrong with letting these kids know that life is hard and challenging, but despite the obstacles, there is hope and a brighter future?

As a country, we must embrace measures that will allow our children to grow, mature, and development so that they are competitive, knowledgeable, and successful. As parents, we must be open and receptive to advice that will guide and direct the future of our children.

Personally, I was moved today in listening to President Obama's remarks. Why? Because today, some students decided to make a difference for themselves. They decided to take a firm stand like our president to do better and to be better.

Today, what is required has been spoken and noted. Thanks, Mr. President, for taking a stand and saying something that truly needed to be said! My hope is that your expressions will dig deep to penetrate the masses of this generation and the generations to come.

School is Back in Session: Words of Wisdom from Grandma!

My mom is a retired elementary school teacher who taught for over 30 years in the school system. She gets really excited about most events in the school year like Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, One Hundred Days of School, etc. However, nothing excites her more than the first day of school.

During this time, she gets nostalgic and breeds words of wisdom to my children. This year, her words were so motivational and potent that I decided to post them on the refrigerator just in case my kids needed a refresher course in the "rules of engagement" according to Grandma.

Grandma's rules include the following:

1. Put God first in everything you do.
2. Be a Good Listener. (Talk less and listen more.)
3. THINK carefully before you talk or express yourself in class or with your friends.
4. Follow directions.
5. Choose friends who will help you and not hurt you.
6. THINK for yourself and make good choices.
7. Study hard and do your best work everyday.
8. Make your parents and yourself proud.
9. Have a great school year!

Of course, these expressions are words to live by. I only hope that my children will enforce them through out this school year. Come on kids...an order has been made so let's have a fantastic, delightful, hardworking, and super SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Questions for Potential School Board Members: Summation

On August 11, 2009, a group of change agents joined together with a common goal, theme, and objective...to discuss a need for better education on behalf of our schools and children in Charlotte.

Individuals and Organizations who were represented and are motivated to make a stand include:

Achieve Together, a project of the Lee Institute and a community partner funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Friendship Community Circle, a group of nine individuals working to improve the academic status within the Achievement Zone schools in Charlotte.

GenerationEngage, a nonpartisan, non-proft organization that empowers young adults to become leaders in their community and active participants in our democracy.

Potential School Board Members, a group of individuals who want to make a difference by offering solutions and creative options to enhance our public educational system. I commend you for your sacrifice and passion in wanting to serve!!!

There is an old saying that says "together we stand, divided we fall". As change agents in our society, let us be strong, devoted, determined, united, and committed. Together, we can do this..."Yes, we can!"

Questions for Potential School Board Members Continued

I asked to hear your opinions, questions, and concerns on what you would like for a potential school board member to address. Here are the responses below...

1. How is the dropout rate for your school system calculated? Does it accurately measure education completion?

2. Have you researched the benefits of year round academic calendars (year round schooling)? What is your position on the subject?

3. Business and industry thrive in areas that have a prepared workforce. What plans do you have for collaborating with economic development stakeholders in the community to ensure a prepared workforce?

4. What accountability requirements do you propose for parents?

5. Do you believe in life-long learning? If so, how have you modeled this belief and what opportunities do you propose for the other board members?

6. If elected to serve as a board member, how would you regulate distribution of funds (including donations) for schools in order to give all schools in the county the same financial and technology resources?

Thanks so much for this powerful and hopeful interchange. These questions will be directed to various potential school board members in my city. I would ask that you reveal these questions and concerns in your city too.

Questions for Potential School Board Members: Let Me Hear From You

School board members are oftentimes the policy makers for public schools. Like an elected official, they run for the position and are voted upon by registered voters. If you could interview upcoming and potential board members, what types of questions would you ask?

Here are a few questions that I would pose...

1. In my area, only 55 percent of third graders can read at grade level. What measures are you willing to take to improve the reading curriculum?

2. Despite the economic situation, how do you plan to heighten the educational and testing strides for our students?

3. An article written by national columnist, Nicholas Kristof, stated that American children drop in IQ each summer vacation. What are your thoughts surrounding year round schools? Are you willing to initiate a plan for "free" or "subsidized" tutoring/educational summer programs?

4. What is your learning style? (ie. textbook, experiential, visual, etc.) Do you consider learning styles in planning for our children's educational programs?

5. How would you define a teacher of excellence?

When you have a moment, I would like to hear your questions. Thanks in advance for your involvement.

Keep Your Eyes on the Ball

Football season is upon us, and my oldest son has decided to play again. Now I am not a big football fan. As a mom, I don't want my son to play this sport. As a spectator, I do not understand why players must run and hit each other for the sake of a ball. My "mom alarm" alerts and expresses my uneasiness for this sport.

In football's defense, there are some valuable lessons being taught such as teamwork, motivation, resilience, and sportsmanship. I must admit this, right? Plus, there are additional lessons too. One of my favorites is when a coach tells a player to never take his eyes off the ball. Not only is this a football lesson, this is a life lesson. Meaning if there is a goal, a mission, or a dream, one must strive to reach it. It can be hard, and it definitely can be challenging. But hopefully, the overall outcome will be rewarding...like football.

To my son, always keep your eyes on the ball. But more importantly, use these football directives and lessons for your life's journey. I firmly believe that it will prepare you to meet your goals. Mom loves you!

Libraries Hold Value

Reading programs are a wonderful way for youth to stay engaged in reading. When I was a kid, my sister and I would go to the library every Saturday to check out books to read. We had our own library cards with our own code names on them. My code name was California queen, and my sister's code name was California princess. As a child, we felt a sense of empowerment because we possessed a library card, and we also felt a sense of ownership because no one could take reading from us...it was ours to have.

Today, libraries are still offering great programs and book suggestions for young (and advanced) readers. For the most part, libraries are a wonderful resource for information. They offer reading programs for all ages, book clubs, language classes, computer access, and a range of seminars to keep the public updated and informed.

However, the best part about libraries in my assessment are that their extended programs and resources are free to the public. In a time, where most things are not free, it is good to know that libraries hold their value and more.

What is Your Learning Style?

What is your learning style? Knowing this simple question is a key element in your growth and development.

When my children were between the ages of four and five, I actually home-schooled them. It's not an action that I wanted to pursue long-term, but it actually had a long-term effect. I could differentiate their learning styles.

My oldest child is a "textbook" type of learner. He enjoys reading and works well with a systematic type of instruction. For him, it means that he can be too hard on himself if answers are not readily available. It also means that he can become bored easily. Therefore, challenging assignments where he constantly feels engaged are best.

Now, my youngest child is an "experiential" type of learner. Rather than read, he prefers the hands-on approach. For instance, we visited Mud Island and the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. At Mud Island, he had a blast walking in the assimilated version of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to New Orleans. At the museum, he obtained more information about the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. I wanted to share these examples because this particular son does not want his learning environment to be too serious or too structured. He would find that to be claustrophobic. In essence, my youngest son blossoms when he receives the type of instruction that he was meant to have which is experiential.

Fortunately, I get an opportunity to select the type of instruction that suits my children within the public school system. While growing up and being taught in public schools, selecting instruction was rare. Everyone was basically placed in the same mode of learning. Schools placed remedial learners in a class, average learners in a class, advanced learners in a class, and special needs in a class.

Today, it is like a breath of fresh air to see and experience the needs of more children being met. For instance, children with learning disabilities like autism, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder are having their needs met with special guidance and are being transitioned into a "mainstream" class setting. In addition, there are private schools that are formulated with these specific types of learning styles in mind.

Overall, it is wise for us to know our personal learning style (and our children's), but more importantly, it is a privilege for us to embrace it.

Summer Break!

I am parent who is elated when school is over for summer break. Like my kids, I get a chance to unwind and give my body and brain a break from all of their school commitments and activities.

Even though it's a summer break, it is not a chance for our kids to lay like broccoli and be complete vegetables. We, as parents, still need to keep them movitated with learning and reading.

In an article written by national columnist, Nicholas D. Kristof, he stated that American children drop in IQ each summer vacation because they are not in school or exercising their brains.

As Americans (and parents), we don't want our kids to falter due to a knowledge slump, do we? So exercise those brain muscles! Read to your children and allow them to read to you. Make up funny stories together. Take pictures of vacation spots, and have your child express themselves through writing. Play a math or word game in the car. Yes, turn the car TVs off and converse with your child. Let's keep the brains ticking in the summer.

I believe this diligence to learning and motivation will pay off. Enjoy your summer!

Radiate Sunshine Together

Radiate sunshine wherever you go. This is an expression that I hope children and adults will take to heart. Sunshine represents light and warmth, and we sometimes characterize it as a time filled with cheer. When the sun is shining, I see the movement of kids playing outside, swimming in the pool, eating ice cream, enjoying their friends, walking their dogs, and just enjoying life. Kids are active and seem to have more energy. This is a good thing!

As adults, our world can be bombarded with an array of happenings, and we know that the sunshine is present, but sometimes we miss the joy that sunshine can offer us. So let's take a lesson from our kids and actually create and enjoy our "own" sunshine in the literal sense. Since the sun's light touches and enriches us, let's become replicas of the sun by doing good deeds, energizing our passions, spending time with family and friends, and absorbing the beauty that surrounds us.

In a sense, view the sunshine as a precious gift through the eyes of our children. Once in a while we can follow their lead and radiate sunshine together. (It won't hurt, right?)

A Child's Ability to Read

According to the Idaho Commission for Libraries, books with rhyme, rhythm, repetition, pictures, and childhood associations are great for a baby's mental development.



I am always amazed at a child's ability to learn words, recognize sounds, and read books. If a child engages in reading at an early age (even at birth), the act of reading will become of a part of their being and spirit. For my children, I started reading to them before they were born. It was a way for me to connect with them and for them to connect with me. I could recognize little movements when I read rhythmic stories like Dr. Seuss partly due to a tune in my voice and a clap to my hands. These stories were just really fun to me and soon became fun to my children with age.



To keep the enjoyment and interest of reading, I would potentially make up music or songs to stories. Often times, my children thought my stories were real, and I would reply, "Mommy just wants you to be interested in reading." Boy, was that fun! Now, the stories that I actually made up for them are real because I decided to become an author and embark upon a passion to make reading FUN for all children.



Now as a parent, you can select this path or charter on your own path, but please encourage your children to read and be present in their reading activities. Eventually, you will hear new words from their lips, you will witness the excitement of book characters in their eyes and smiles, and you will be mesmerized by their thinking abilities.



On yesterday, I heard my youngest son who is six years old reading an article in the newspaper. He read "bigger" words like competition, announcement, and obviously so fluently. I was stunned and overwhelmed, but more importantly, I rejoiced because I remember a time when we were focused on cat, hat, and sat. What a welcome surprise!

Views on Education and Budget Information within CMS

I have been reading the updates regarding CMS and its budget cuts/information, increased test scores, statistics on grade level reading, and added Achievement Zone school(s). The Charlotte Observer and its contributors have truly delved into this school and economic situation, yet I am excited about the increased test scores throughout the district. This news along with the teachers and students should be celebrated. Whatever efforts that were put in place last school term to heighten these strides actually worked.

However, room for growth is also acknowledged. Kathy Ridge, executive director of the nonproft Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education, hit a cord with me when she stated that only 55 percent of CMS third graders can read at grade level. This alarming information coupled with the Achieve Together data clearly indicates that it is important for our young children to read and understand the elements of reading so that drop-outs and incarceration are reduced. Despite the budget crisis, I hope that measures are taken to improve this effort for the upcoming school term.

Let's keep "being prepared" in the fore front of a child's development.