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 | Apr 14, 2023 | Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized
Do You Really Want to Know?
By Dr. Marcia
There are many things that I love about being kind and saying hello is one of them. Whenever I am walking in the hallways of work, it’s one of the things that comes naturally – just to say hi to my co- workers. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. I don’t know if this happens to you. You say hello and those who respond (secret not everyone responds to kindness), may ask how are you doing? Surprisingly, I think they just say it just to be cordial because by the time I form my mouth to respond, the other person is gone. What is the point of asking how I am doing, and you don’t wait to get a respond? Are you really interested in knowing how I am doing?
It’s amazing how people can make you even change your demeanor, take for instance, I went to work as usual to prepare for my day and part of the preparation included making copies for my students. Well, I got into the copying room and another person was there making copies. So naturally, I said good morning quite pleasantly and by the time I got my pleasant words out, I was blasted with the words, “What’s so good about the morning?” I was in shock because I didn’t expect it and it also put a big damper on my mood and spirits. I was most of all scared and didn’t even want to continue being nice. I reassured myself that she must have been going through a rough morning and I was the first person she could spill her sadness on. Ever since that time, whenever I see that person, I am scared to even talk to the person. My mind flashes back to that day.
Then there was another time when I greeted a co-worker, and he asked how I was doing, and my response was that it was a long time and I felt tired. The last thing I expected to hear was that I was always complaining! I don’t even speak to that person on a regularly basis. In fact, I hardly cross paths with this person. It really left a bad taste in my mouth, especially since it was also my feelings, and what gave him the right to say I was complaining if that was how I felt? Above all, why did you ask if you didn’t want to hear my feelings? The world can be such an unfriendly place sometimes! Very few people are willing to take the time to listen or to even talk. I often evaluate myself and ask if that is the way I treated others. I am always willing to give someone a smile in the hallway or even on the streets. Smiles are free!
One of the things that I do as an educator, is that each morning when my students enter the classroom, I greet them with a smile and say good morning. I know that it makes a good start to the day. At times a few of them might be down and won’t respond but I encourage them to respond. The amazing thing is that they may also be the one who calls out another person who does not say good morning to the group. Interesting how we can “train up a child!” And we can be an example for adults even those we meet. We can’t allow people to define us or make us feel less than or even marginalized. Most important, do what you know is within you and continue doing good even when things around you seem dark, cloudy, and sad. It’s on the other person if they don’t care or don’t want to know how you feel.
March on anyway, and be amazing! 
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 | 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.
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!
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.
