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.
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 4, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Pain Mixed With Purpose
By Dr. Marcia
“Life is a mysterious mix of beautiful and painful experiences. No one can predict how it will unfold and we don’t always understand why it unfolds the way it does.” The words of Akirah Robinson rang through my head, and I read them repeatedly. The months April, May, and June though the period started off calmly and happily were filled with mixed emotions and yes mysterious happenings. I had decided to visit Jamaica during my Spring Break to do what I called a mini launch, but it turned out to be greater than that. Few hours after I arrived there, I was able to read a portion of my book that I had dedicated to one of the persons, I had written about. So exciting! She was pleasantly surprised and remarked, “This is such 
a pleasure, and I am getting goosebumps, just knowing that you thought of me.” The joy knowing that I was able to show how she impacted my life was overwhelming. Little did I know that would be the last time I saw her – she died a week and a half after that! I was devasted yet was comforted by the fact that she knew how much she impacted my life. I had read to her – unbelievable of the timing.
Another fantastic experience was that I was interviewed by a local (Jamaican) television station and got some more networking regarding my newly published book. I was also interviewed by a local radio station and during the interview I was asked who influenced me into being a teacher and I mentioned the teacher/professor from the first college I attended. Shortly after the interview, a listener called the producer to give her information about the teacher, information included that she was 102. How remarkable is that? I didn’t even know that she was still alive. I immediately made plans to visit her in July. Only that was not to be, a month after I had gotten word that she was alive, I discovered via YouTube, that her funeral was literally the day before I opened my YouTube app! Here we go again, more devastation! I was now questioning everything and wondering what was going on. I decided to watch the YouTube video a few days after and was pleasantly surprised to find out that during the reading the remembrance, the older gentleman (my teacher’s/professor’s cousin) mentioned that he had heard my interview on the radio station, called the radio station to give them the professor’s information. So again, I realized that my “mini launch” was not mini at all! It was ordained! How many of us still marginalize our experiences instead of turning the events into learning experiences and are simply grateful for them. I am learning to do so!
With the publication of my book, I have had some interesting experiences, some of them sad but overall, they seemed to have been waiting for the book to be published so the book can be highlighted and exposed. There are lives that have been touched by simply reading it and based on the reviews on the various platforms that it is being sold and the personal ones that I have gotten I feel certain that God made it published in His Perfect Time.
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | May 18, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Growing Deeper
By Dr. Marci Davis Dawkins
I recently spoke with one of my aunts. I had called her for Mother’s Day and didn’t get to speak to her, then called again and didn’t get her either, so this was her returning my call. I had been taking a nap after a long day at work but was excited to hear from her. I quickly pulled myself up to sit in the bed so I could talk to her. She knew from the sound of my voice that I was sleeping and wanted to call another time so I could go back to bed. I insisted that it was okay and that I could talk. I knew that there was no time like the present and I could miss a great opportunity to talk to her. So glad I did! It was so refreshing and fulfilling. I was reminded of how calm and encouraging she is, and I had to make sure I told her, so she was aware that I noticed. She calmly responded that it didn’t come easily but as she got older, she realized that she had to get closer to God so she can know how to love others and be kind. I am happy for the impact that she made on me just with the words of encouragement and her gentile spirit.
A month ago, I was privileged enough to publish my first book, a memoir and I got the opportunity to launch it in the country of my birth, Jamaica. I shared this amazing experience with many friends and relatives who literally made me feel like a queen. During that same time of the launch celebration, I was interviewed by a TV station and a radio station. As I was interviewed by the radio personality, I was asked who influenced me to be a teacher and I immediately thought of a former professor I had who impacted and impressed me to teach because of her style of teaching and her passion for teaching. I couldn’t remember the professor’s name as I was interviewed when asked and thankfully based on what I said, a listener called give the name of the person and was able to even say that she is still alive at age 102! This information was exciting to hear, and I going to try desperately to get in touch with her when I return to Jamaica.
More intriguing events keep happening another to be mentioned is that a month ago, two new students joined my community of learners. Yes, you might even make comments including, the fact that there are 30 days left of the school year. Of course, that is a fact, however, I saw the joys and the impact I could make on those students’ lives even though they don’t speak English. I saw nothing but more experience for the other students who by now were excited as they welcomed them with beautiful smiles and hugs. I thought about the various countries that were represented in our community. The countries include, Colombia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, and U S A. I was ready to celebrate each person by getting the flags of the country they represented. I wanted them to feel connected so learning could also be encouraged. The joy that I felt as they started repeating English words and the new words, they are understanding during the short time span that they have been our community of learners. It really encouraged me that I am making a positive impact on them. I have a passion for learning and teaching and want to pass it on to my learning community.
It is also with pride that I celebrate each student’s academic growth since the start of the school year since September. They have grown academically similarly like trees that are rooted and grounded and I feel certain that I have impacted them positively. I feel that since so many people have made a positive impact on me, I want to make that kind of impact on my students. Each person in her own way assisted in some way or other, my aunt, my former professor, my friend’s mom, (who was also a teacher), who embraced me and told me that I belonged to her family and all the others – they have made me grow deeper in my career and they did so through love! We can empower each other by being loving and kind.
Again, I lost another friend, a masterpiece – one who will be forever in my heart!
