Makes me Happy....

Just a moment in time to remember-that smile keeps me going...

Beautiful

This Is Not a Small Voice

This is not a small voice

you hear this is a large

voice coming out of these cities.

This is the voice of La Tanya.

Kadesha. Shaniqua. This

is the voice of Antoine.

Darryl. Shaquille.

Running over waters

navigating the hallways

of our schools spilling out

on the corners of our cities and

no epitaphs spill out of their river mouths.

This is not a small love

you hear this is a large

love, a passion for kissing learning

on its face.

This is a love that grows the feet with hands

that nourishes, conceives, feels the water sails

mends the children,

folds them inside our history where they

toast more than the flesh

where they suck the bones of the alphabet

and spit out closed vowels.

This is a love colored with iron and lace.

This is a love initialed Black Genius.

This is not a small voice

you hear.

-Sonia Sanchez

Advice from a 40 year teacher veteran

My uncle's Mom gave me teaching advice to always remember as I move forward in my career. I really appreciate her taking the time to support me and remind me of things as I move day to day....

1. When your boss looks good, you look good.

2. Keep your principal informed of all happenings, good and bad. It is always better to hear it from you, rather than a parent.

3. Talk and listen to your students and respond to their feelings.

4. No one said it would be easy to be loving.

5. Always ask for help from other professionals when you need it. You don't have to make choices alone.

6. You don't learn to be a teacher in college, you learn on the job!