by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 28, 2023 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Make the Best of Life
By Marci D
We started high school together many, many years ago and most of us lacked confidence and were unsure of where life would take us, as we embarked on our journey. Ironically, our yearbook had a heading for the school year: We’ve Only Just Begun” – as sung by the Carpenters. I have no idea who the yearbook committee members were and why they chose that song for us. All I know is that it was so fitting for a group of 10- and 11-year-olds, as we got ‘the kiss of luck’ and we were on our way. 
Lyrics
We’ve only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way
(We’ve only begun)
Before the risin’ sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We’ll start out walkin’ and learn to run
(And yes, we’ve just begun)
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
(And yes, we’ve just begun)
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin’ the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together
Together
And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
And yes, we’ve just begun.
Five years later at our graduation, we were singing our chosen graduation song, “Do You Know Where You ‘re Going To? Sung by Diana Ross.
Lyrics
Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you’re hoping for?
When you look behind you, there’s no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you, but my spirit was free
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me
Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Now looking back at all we planned
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?
Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you’re hoping for?
When you look behind you, there’s no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Did we really understand the lyrics to both of those songs? Maybe not, but we certainly were singing. Years later, after graduation, we reunited and talked about our feelings and explained to each other the journey we took or the journey that had taken us and how we faired. We realized that we made some great decisions, had some rough or even traumatic experience and that we learned some valuable lessons over the years. Most of us kept in touch and started going to various trips together. We celebrated each other, we laughed with each with other, we supported each other, we grieved with each other and most importantly, we prayed with each other. Some of us even shared how we need to be intentional about how we enjoy life and each other’s company especially since life can be so fleeting. Our togetherness became special because we shared the same culture, similar childhood days and we shared the same values. We can laugh, and the laughter brings peace and joy. We also realized that we need each other, were able to care for each other, exhaled and the togetherness brought a bond of friendship that many can’t identify with. As we laughed, one of us said that there could be onlookers wondering why and what grown women could find to laugh about so much and that even made us laugh more.
I strongly believe that as we get older, we get joy from hanging out with good friends and we appreciate it more especially since we life in such a world of stress and pain.
The educator in me can’t help but wonder what kinds of memories and lessons my students are creating and how they will think after graduation and beyond. Will they like the things that life has shown them. Do they know where they are going?
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jul 10, 2023 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers
Choose Kindness
By Marci D
As always, I begin the school year with wonderful ideas and hopes of how the year will go smoothly. I used my summer break to recharge, renew and reset my teaching styles, philosophy and overall thinking and attitude about how to get through the year. Of course, this year was no exception. The first month went by smoothly and I was very encouraged and kept my dreams intact – this would be year 
I will make more positive impact on my students. Well, I spoke too soon! I had a parent who thought that I was rushing her child into too many responsibilities and that they were too rigorous for the six-year mind! Never mind that the rule was to put her sweater/sweatshirt/jean jacket on the back or the chair so that when needed it was readily at hand instead of going to the closet each time it was needed. Interestingly, the garment was needed quite often, and I realized soon that this could become disruptive for the student plus her peers. I stuck to my rule and decided that it was a reasonable request even though the parents were adamant about sending me notes and when that didn’t stir me, they would send similar notes to the principals, vice principals, guidance counselors and others in command to request that my “strict rules” be changed!
A few months later, another parent tried to pull the rug from under my feet and cursed me out in such way that I began to question my will to go on as a teacher. The demeaning words that were used were too much to be repeated and on top of that, it would degrade my professional stance. It must also be noted that this demeaning activity took place during dismissal, in the presence of parents, teachers and other students. This did not make a difference to the parent at all. I stood firm and I kept my cool. I kept thinking of how it would be easy to defend myself, took a chance and lose my teaching license or even lose the respect I had for the other parents. Yes, I didn’t lose my professionalism and I even thought of the Bible verse, that says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 My knees did feel as if they were buckling and tears were welling in my eyes, but I stood tall and continued to dismiss my remaining students.
The year continued with a few mean words from peers and administrators, but I suffered in silence. I kept my cool and wallowed in self-pity, however, I didn’t teach any less or treat any of the students as if they were less than. Secretly, I wished I could retire or quit and stay home, however, the reality of no income or medical allowance scared me and as such slapped back into reality. I even shuddered to know that I had to deal with the “problem parents” and their students for the remainder of the school year. I kept going, grinned and bore the struggles. They were REAL too! I didn’t think anyone understood either.
I counted down the days of freedom and could not wait for the school year to end! As the days grew closer to the end, I heard that “I would be a perfect fit for an older grade because I had done so well in the current grade”! My first thought was, “why was I being punished for being a good teacher?” Another thought, “I thought I would be finishing up my career in this grade!” I was not a happy camper and weeks after I started thinking of how God can and will help me no matter who moves me where and who says what about me. I am still awesome and can rise above what derogatory words. I will always affirm myself. “I can do all things through Christ.” Philippians 4:13 
Then, came the last day of school! I was presently surprised with gifts, gift cards, flowers and even tears of regret about leaving my class. The beautiful expressions of love and care from the parents and students were proof of strength and encouragement. I felt like I did my job well and made them feel social and emotionally appreciated. I felt like say, “Mission accomplished”! I even thought of the saying “giving people their flowers while it still matters”. I had done my best and was rewarded even if some people made me feel less than. There were some who still believed in me and cared about me. Kindness matters and we should ALL try to keep kindness in the forefront of our minds. A reminder to self: never stop doing my best just because I don’t get the compliments or credit from others.
Love is Patient and Kind
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jan 10, 2023 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
The Masterpiece
By Dr. Marcia
Death seems to be raising its ugly head every day and just yes, too close for comfort. I’ve been putting off writing about this because it has stomped me, and I have not been ready to face the raw memory. This time it’s another friend whom we usually referred to each other as “namesake” since we have the same first name. My consolation has been that we use to talk regularly. In fact, she knew that I use to work on my lesson plans early on Saturday mornings so she would use that opportunity to call me, and we would talk for a long time then. Since her death about six months ago, I have not done my lessons plans on Saturday, but on Sunday afternoons. I just can’t seem to get it together or come to terms with this horrible fact.
Since we spoke regularly, I remember her calling me one morning as usual and she was explaining how she had been sick and did several surgeries and that things fell into place by “divine intervention” and “faith-based activities”. She even said that after the last long seven and a half surgery, her doctor had told her friend that he had “just completed my Masterpiece!” To which I had interjected, “I hope you realize that this was a clue that you have a book to write, and the title is, I Am the Masterpiece!” I was excited to say this and felt like she needed to hear, God those comforting words instead of thinking about her pain. We had even discussed that she should make notes of her journey in a journal. She also said that she had many journals but wanted to get strength to put things together as she was swamped with work and doctors’ appointments and the cycle goes on and on. Just listening to her it did seem exhausting but there was not a moment when I didn’t encourage her positively. 
I would also think of the word, “masterpiece” as the doctor had referred to her. Seems as if I could not shake the word. So, I decided to research the word. Masterpiece definition as per the dictionary,
- a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
(historical) a piece of work by a craftsman accepted as qualification for membership of a guild as an acknowledged master. There were other words for masterpiece including, treasure, flower, gem, monument, perfection. I could see how she was the epitome of a masterpiece. Her picture can be placed in the dictionary to further help with the definition.
A month or so before she died, I felt obligated to pay her a visit and even though we didn’t exchange many words, my mind was racing as I massaged her back and sang for her. She was in and out of sleep, but it didn’t matter, I wanted to be there with her, and I know she appreciated that I was there. For some reason the lessons that I was learning, and they were overwhelming. As I reflected, I couldn’t help but think that I should be the best version of myself and try to live up to my requirement of being a peacemaker, fun loving, lover of people and philanthropist. Others were telling me that I should always trust the process because there is nothing, I could have done to change anything.
She might not have been able to write her book, but she had begun journaling activities of her journey. My hope is that we can all learn a few lessons from her life – just as I learned. She was not an educator, but the lessons were simple yet compelling.
Additional lessons learned
- live at peace with everyone
- live as Christ would want
- be prepared for life and death
- be willing to show love (regardless of the person)
- be a vessel of kindness
She always gave some interesting advice as we spoke and she would always remind me and many people she met to, “stay with God” and not worry about what other people would say (negatively) because sometimes there could be too much noise in the marketplace.
Again, I lost another friend, a masterpiece – one who will be forever in my heart!
Generational Impact – What is Your Legacy?
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Nov 28, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
There is Power in You!
By Dr. Marci D
A few years ago, a woman introduced me to positive affirmations and since then I have bought into being positive. I figure that since words have power, I should use the positive words to encourage me so I can feel powerful. What is does power even mean? Power as defined by the dictionary means “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.” Well in this case I say, I am directing my behavior based on the words I have spoken within me. I have also introduced this to my students, so they begin affirming themselves in the morning, so that throughout the day they believe it as they repeat the affirmation. Affirmation is filled with power, and we must have a willingness to encourage ourselves and as it were dig ourselves out of sadness. We can and should use even our disappointments to reach for higher. Tell ourselves that we will dig out of the sand and reach for the stars. As a matter of fact, we can in turn be change agents for others when they see how we live our lives. For us to have power we must commit to a few things: –
- Believe in yourself
- Be persistent
- Be you
- Be honest
- Be intentional
Being an educator, it is my responsibility to be encouraging for my students so they realize that they can learn and that all things are possible, they just need to believe. Simply put there is hope! I must believe as well so that I can keep the learning wheels turning. It’s not always easy especially if there are parents or students who put up resistance. Goodness, there have been resistance! What do I do when faced with the resistance? I evaluate myself and tell myself that I am a good person and who wants good for others and yes, hope for the storm to blow through then, trust the process. Most of all I rely on the power of affirmation and have the courage to use it. I also turn to the good book, the bible verses for example, Luke 20 20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
So even though I don’t teach religious education, I do use it in my daily walk to encourage myself. The rest takes care of itself and flows. As a child I heard the saying, “what the mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve.” This has stayed me over the years, and I am convinced that is where the power lies- in our mind and we must believe it is possible. So, I say, take it one step at a time and find the power in you!
Pledging
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Oct 12, 2022 | Education
Re-planting
By Dr. Marcia D
Recently I was feeling overwhelmed as I was thinking about the beginning of a new school year and all the paperwork to be completed. The paperwork has to do with the data received after the new students entered my class and I must diagnose them and group them for various levels as I analyze and predict the growth for the school year. It seems as if the paperwork that must be completed is 
priority and little room is given for teaching to get the growth. On this day, I told myself I had to have a to “do list” and organize my time strategically since all had to be done. I love gardening and I decided to use gardening to inspire me to move forward to be the best teacher possible. I plant flowers during the springtime and watch them blossom so I will see my new students who are sometimes broken from various traumas and uncertain if they are even ready to learn. I must re-plant the strategies I know have worked in previous years or gather new seeds (strategies) for planting to see how well they will and can grow. I must embrace the newness, the new designs, and the new placings. Some students will need pruning, some will sprout, and others won’t. Some will need watering and tender loving care to grow and for others re-planting is necessary. There will be those students who will bear fruits and simply grow in personality and of course knowledge. Indeed, there will be student growth! Through it all I will also grow.
The newness may be challenging but I am staying positive. As I embrace the beauty of the new things, I can also see the beauty in everything and look at the bright side of life. There is reassurance that there is more in store for my students and more in store for me. I strongly believe that I should take small steps and do them one day at a time. I continue to affirm myself and my students. I also communicate with parents and remind them that it takes a village – we are the Dare to Dream Team!
Full Circle
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 8, 2022 | Education
Enjoy the Little Things
By Marci D
The older I get, the more I realize the importance and the need to enjoy the little things in life. Maybe I can go further to add not just the little things but the small steps in life. As an educator, I have also seen how necessary small steps are in learning even teaching for that matter. I almost want to pat myself on the back when I see the light in a student’s eyes when he or she has grasped a skill and is so excited that he or she is not at the bottom of the barrel. That for me is big reason to celebrate that my teaching method has worked. For me this happens throughout the school year, and these are things that I don’t take for granted, even if no one in the administrative staff is aware. I do celebrate those small moment and I let the student/s know that I celebrate them.
Summer is a time when I look forward to a break from work and I make every effort to celebrate my hard work. This summer was no exception, and I was able to do so with many friends and family members. For the most part I was in Jamaica where my heart and mind seem to be happiest. It is evident that the most difficult part is to get there as soon as I do, I am surrounded with an itinerary, and all I had to do was to be ready when they say so. And guess what? The moments were spontaneous! We quickly got on road trips in-spite the cost of gas or food, we prepared or bought food and took the parks and sat, laughed, ate, played games, and shared stories of the good ol’ days. The road trips were frequent and fun – some included visits to the theater to see plays, beach trips or church services of thanksgiving for people or for celebration life in general.
The laughter, fun, fellowship, friendship, family relationship embraces the fact that we need and enjoy each other’s company. It also reiterates that it doesn’t take a lot to enjoy the little things. As we gathered, we sometimes cooked, and the cooking included cooking outdoors which helped us to bond. As I reflect on all the times, I am grateful for each day and for the persons that are in my life – for the fact that my life is spared to share those simple things with people who love me, and I love them. We are willing to spend time together to enjoy the little things in life. We were mindful of each other’s feelings, each other’s
time and sometimes we woke up early so we were able to make the most of the day.
There were of course some days when we heard sad news and we had to comfort each other and tried our best to cheer each other up and believe me as you can imagine it was no easy task, but it still sent the message that we were there for each other in the good times or bad. We are also aware that we are building memories together. We take nothing for granted and as the saying goes, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault.
Reflecting on this break has helped me to realize that this is part of the self-care that we all need, and it has helped me to feel refreshed, renewed and I can now refocus as I return to the classroom to face a new year, new set of students and my mindset has been restored to goodness for being an educator.
