Perspective

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jan 6, 2020 | Education, Parents, Teachers, Teens

Perspective

By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins

“The difference between a flower and a weed is a judgment.” I wish I could take the credit for those words but I can’t. The credits go to the late Wayne Dyer, an American author and motivational speaker. Then Ralph Waldo Emerson puts a further twist to it by expanding that a weed is a plant whose virtues have never been discovered. There are so many people who have varying points of view and ways of seeing things; yet, some are not willing to have an open mind or even opening the lenses. As I get older, I have learned not to cast judgments because I don’t know the situations that people are in and I don’t even know how I would feel if I were in the same circumstances – as a result I don’t judge. Instead, I think or wonder what could cause the person to act or respond a particular manner. It is often easy to assume, or even do the stereotypical norm, rather than to ask people if they are okay or just simply to respond with a smile.

As we enter this New Year and decade, one of my mantra is that I should encourage others to not be judgmental. Also, where possible, perish the thought of having had similar experiences and therefore believe it is shameful to be emotional or wear emotions on the sleeves. Technically, I am a stranger who does not have a full grasp of the person’s issues nor I am capable of looking at it from their perspective. So often, we are quick to make judgments without knowing the person reasoning behind the actions. I recently saw a cartoon, which I considered funny. A man and woman are sitting at a table in a restaurant, dining, the woman had a huge plate of food in front of her and she said that it was the man who was supposed to pay because of the word, ‘MEN-U’. The man on the other hand, (who had only a glass with water), said it was both since the word said, ‘ME-N-U’, clearly this was a matter of whose perspective – the man’s or the woman’s!

Then we can look at it from the classroom, one teacher might grade a paper based on his or her way of interpreting while another give another grade, who is to say that either teacher is wrong? I suppose that is why there is a rubric used to grade papers so that each person involved will know the established standards.

Then there is cultural perspective which, simply put, refers to the manner in which individuals are shaped based on their environment. Just thinking about “culture” and the way various people view things and situations can be interesting. A cultural perspective is also the point of view from which each individual person sees the same situation – when culture is mixed with point of view it or perspective it means that one person is seeing a situation based upon their beliefs, values, experiences that are commonly found in their own culture. I suppose that’s one of the reasons if people marry outside of their culture there can be chaos or misunderstanding. Even words can be misinterpreted in one culture versus another. I once experience this where my sister was braiding someone’s hair and based on the braiding process, she was hurting the person’s scalp. My sister’s word was “hush”, which meant that she was saying, “never mind, the braiding process will be over soon.” On the other hand, the young lady whose hair was being braided did not take kindly to that word. She thought that my sister was say that she should be quiet! I realized the misunderstanding and immediately had to explain the confusion. I suppose it would be remiss of me to talk about perspective without giving a few more examples of how perspective affect family. One person might think that family is important and another think it is not. Yet whatever the person is doing does not adequately demonstrate the importance of family. One person might be saying it is important but does not want to spend time with the family during special ‘family’ holidays. Similarly, another might believe that bigger is always better or that entertainment is more important that the value placed on education. Are we able to separate our perceptions from our decision making? In all honesty, we sometimes allow our perception to get in the way of a new learning experience or simply getting to know someone. Are we willing to run that risk by simply casting judgments? This decade, we should seek to understand and be ready with a possible alternative suggestion rather than cast judgment. Who says that one person’s weed isn’t another’s flower? Similar to one person’s trash being another’s treasure!

Misunderstood

HOME

Love is Patient and Kind

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Nov 26, 2019 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers

Love is Patient and Kind

By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins

Many of us have heard the words from the Bible, “Love is patient and kind,” 1 Corinthians 13. I have often wondered if we understand what it really means to be “patient and kind” by showing and expressing love. What does it mean? It seems as if, in a world that is so filled with hate and despair, not to mention impatience, that it may be difficult to say that we truly know the meaning of love. It doesn’t seem as if we need to look too far to see all the hatred and disdain that so many people harbor. The cycle keeps going on and on. The news headlines seem to be filled with lack of love. Where has love and patience gone? In the classrooms and schools in general, the students seem to be filled with sadness through bullying, teasing, and name calling among other unkindness. It sometimes seems unreal, and even frightening, to watch students start out playing and end up fighting and saying unkind words about each other simply because they are so impatient and mean. Where, oh where, did the love go?

On television, it seems as if the highlight is that teachers and students are fighting and the blatant disrespect is evident. Unkind words are exchanged in the heat of the moment and hurt people continue to hurt people. Everyone is quick to play the blame game instead of putting the shoe on his/her foot. Frustration gets in the way and the love is replaced with heated words and sadness that often lead to loss of lives and friendships. True love shows and tells us how to treat our fellow classmates, co-workers, peers, spouses and human kind in general. In 2 Corinthians, it explains that true love is not angered easily, is quick to forgive and is always willing to celebrate life with friends, loved ones and just about everyone with whom we interact. Yes, this sounds easier said than done, however, it sets the standards by which we should live. I suppose most people might argue (with kind words) that since prayer and the Bible were taken out of the schools that love left as well. I dare say that 1 Corinthians 13 is the premise on which humankind and love were built. It sets the standards for how we should live by loving each other regardless of color of skin, class, economic status or educational accomplishments. It really makes me feel disheartened when I think of weddings, and then soon after divorces or Valentine’s Day when people simply use the word ” love” so loosely and then days after use the unkind words to tear down their partners. Oh, where is the love?

So, it seems as if the lack of love and unkindness are taking center stage these days. It’s almost as if those who show love or kindness are scoffed at, but I believe we cannot give up hope or throw up our arms in frustration; let the peace begin with us. Let kindness and love reign, even in the classroom. It doesn’t hurt to show love to every student with whom we come in contact. It might be the missing link in his or her life. Who knows? This love might be reciprocated and the classroom becomes a garden of love and kindness! It is true that kindness is one of the best ways to show love. Kindness and love can never be wasted; so don’t be stingy with them.

Love for Everyone

Life Is Not About Getting What You Want!

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Oct 21, 2019 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens

Life is Not About Getting What You Want!

By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins

We often strive for the best and nothing is wrong with that. In fact, I say keep reaching for the stars, since only the best is good enough! However, there is always the “What Ifs?” What if the best I am reaching for is not enough? What if it’s not time yet? Time to get that big promotion, dream job, or even dream house? The question that always haunts us seems to be, “Should I give up trying or find new ways to make it work?” I have come to realize that I should not give up on whatever dreams I have, rather, I should keep striving. The consolation is that life is not about getting what we want immediately, but about working with what we have at the moment until things work out. Will things be ever perfect? Of course not! Perfection for my neighbor might be the ability to find the next meal, while perfection for another might be having a roof over their head and avoiding a life on the streets.

Seeking perfection may even manifest in the classroom or in studies. One teacher might wish to have the perfect class in terms of behavior, while another teacher might see perfection as being able to communicate effectively with one student. This particular teacher is looking at winning one student at a time instead of the whole group at once. No matter what your goal may be, it is important to remember one solid philosophy that has always worked for me. The good Father won’t give us more than we can bear. He usually takes care of us and give us the “tools” to deal with whatever may come. He will give us strategies to deal with those seemingly unpleasant situations we face.

Life is about working with what we have at the moment. Then again, do we confuse my wants with my needs? There may be times when getting what we want is highly impossible because of our economical situation. I find that sometimes when I want to treat myself, I remind myself that I’ve worked hard for this and I deserve a gift from self. In the classroom, this kind of gift could come in the form of a simple break for students who have worked hard and have gone above and beyond to get work done correctly. The teacher might then give a well deserve and unexpected gift. This gift is seen as encouragement for the students to always work hard on a project/assignment. This might also challenge the student to work harder on another project so there could be more treats. Nothing is more rewarding to me than an educator that has seen a light switched on a student’s face when he or she has gotten a concept. I then know how well it’s worth my time and patience to reteach and retell. Brian Tracey reminded me in his quote, “I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” What say you, do you always get what you want or do you leave everything to luck? Don’t even try to answer immediately simply,

“Become the impossible, do the unreal, be yourself

and be it all the way.”

– Hindi Krinsky

Determination and Perseverance

Labels

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Sep 23, 2019 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers

Labels

By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins

In marketing, labeling is used to identify products through branding. This labeling gives customers information about the product. Labeling also tags the products, and customers can differentiate one product from another. Labels have to meet various criteria so that customers can spot brands immediately based upon symbols or even colors. Likewise, the same process is often utilized with people. Labels can show that we are associated with or we belong to a group or a family – that is why we wear certain brands so that we can identify with – we want to identify with certain labels. For instance, we might want to wear the Nike sneakers or clothes because we want to identify with Michael Jordan, a former popular basketball player.

People have different labels for others, for instance, Caucasians sometimes have labels for African Americans, African Americans have labels for African Americans, students have labels for each other, teachers have labels for students, parents have labels for their children and even the school system has labels for students. Interestingly enough, some of these labels can be negative as well as positive. Many times teachers and/or parents label their students/children because of behaviors/or attitudes they have witnessed before. We wear a symbol (similar to a gang), which tells that we are in that group. It seems as if the more we label our students, the more they “wear” the labels and cannot shed them because they believe the labels are theirs for life. Educators sometimes place labels on students that send figurative death sentences for students. These messages send them in holes where they are stuck in a time line and they tell themselves that they will never be good at anything. This in effect allows the students to have low self esteem and they don’t explore their capabilities.

Sometimes when I meet people, one of the first things they say after hearing that I am from Jamaica is a bunch of curse words, as if to say that all Jamaicans curse or it’s a way of greeting. Frankly speaking, I find that offensive. Or a second thing they might even ask if I smoke marijuana and that it is difficult to believe that I have not smoked marijuana! Some of these stereotypical labels definitely send a negative connotation. We use what we hear about others to label others or even use outwards appearance to prejudge.

As such, educators should focus on and make concerted efforts to adequately and successfully address students’ needs and avoid labels. We place labels on students we don’t even know – we simply make assumptions based on other teachers’ experiences. Instead of labeling or belittling our students or others, we could instead be a mentor to those persons and avoid being judgmental. At times because students or people in general are labeled then they wear the labels that could require wearing masks as an extra “costume.” They wear the masks to cover up inhibitions/shortcomings. People sometimes don’t understand the roles we play so things get complicated and we are misunderstood. We feel as if we are inferior or superior in their world based on the label people place on them. Some people might feel less attractive, less important, less smart or self-confidence might be damaged. So many people grow up believing the negative things people say about them and have not tried to prove them wrong. Most times it cripples them – don’t place people in boxes. Some people in some boxes might be lonely and/or depressed. Let’s try to have a positive mindset as we begin the new school year and beyond. “The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There should be no excuses; let us avoid labeling.

Accept You For Who You Are

Teaching – Win or Lose?

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Sep 9, 2019 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers

Teaching – Win or Lose?

By Dr. Marcia A. Davis-Dawkins

Many, many, many years ago I decided to enter the classroom as a teacher, but with much trepidation. Teaching for me was not first on my radar since most of the people in my family were teachers and it just didn’t seem like the career choice because, as most people may know, there is little financial gain in this profession. Needless to say, I did everything (or so it seems) I could to steer from being a teacher. Suffice it to say, when the opportunity presented itself for me to go to college under the stern advisement of my aunt, with whom I lived and was a teacher, I took it, but with a fight. The carefully worded newspaper ad enticed me (rather my aunt who then yelled and made it seem as if it would be a missed opportunity, if not taken) to apply for a spot in the world of teaching. The ad also emphasized that I would have a double career – one in business as well as a teacher of business studies! I was caught, but again, teaching was not my choice. I wanted to be in the business world – an administrative assistant or the first step in being an accountant. As fate would have it, weeks before graduation, I was hired on the spot by the head of the business department of my high school, as a business teacher.

I taught until I migrated and it seemed only fit for me to discard, or so I thought, my teaching career path and decided that I would again study business in a new country. Well, no sooner was I done studying, when I wet my feet in the business world and decided that I would return to my other choice – teaching! I decided that even though, it hasn’t made me rich or famous, it has it rewards. It also has it ups and downs. It also seems as if the days when the teachers were seen as the authoritative figures as well as the disciplinarian are over. Many teachers, including myself, get despondent because of the role reversals in the classroom. Many of us spend our time trying to manage students’ behaviors instead of teaching. It is with lots of hassle, and might I say struggle, because so many of our student enter the classroom with lots of psychological problems, it seems. Some parents who believe that we could be the enemy sometimes challenge us. As it were, because of the challenges and the fights that we can we, at times face, we get despondent and wonder why we entered this journey called teaching. But we are reminded of the students whom we reach and who contact us to say what a great job we did with their students and that our job did not go unnoticed.

One of the advantages of teaching is that teachers can usually wipe the slates clean and start over for each school year, but then there are constant reminders of the headaches; will there be any unfortunate stories or items in the news, school fights involving students or even students and teachers, teachers being taunted, teachers being allegedly complained about, teachers being fired because of unexplained behaviors among other things? Where are the lines drawn? Are we too busy worrying if we are next instead of doing what we loved the most or are we being given a chance to do that which we really enjoy: teach? Can we prove that we care about our students and want to see them succeed?

I often wonder if when interns are in the classroom, based on what they see and/or hear they change their minds about teaching and ask themselves why they bothered to go to college to be a teacher? Without asking them, I usually come to the conclusion that like me, they realized that they are good at teaching and want to make a difference one student at a time. I do know for sure that some interns or even teachers buckle under the pressure of teaching and quit. The reasons may vary. They may think that the students are too disrespectful, the financial rewards are not equal to the stress of teaching, teaching isn’t the right fit for them or simply that they realize that they are horrible teachers!

There is a constant war in my head encouraging me to study to show myself approving, to understand my craft more, as well as to be compensated, but how can I climb the ladder without being an administrator? Is that what I really want to do in education? Maybe I don’t want to be the manager of teachers! I simply want to get better at my craft that I enjoy.

For me, I know that since I won’t get the compensation I want, I must continue to meet the amazing parents, students and even fellow educators; naturally that is a big gain for me. Therefore, it has been a great experience for me, and I still look forward to hearing the wonderful words, “Oh I get it now!” from my students. Let’s be clear here: teaching can cause anxiety and if I am not careful I can be stressed out and possibly lose my mind. I once read, “Our resumes are different from our eulogies – No one will be at my funeral saying I was such a great teacher that I brought test scores up. Of course that would make me feel great, but is that all I am worth— to raise test scores? I think the important thing to me is to make a difference in a child’s life and that will bring inner peace to me.

Interestingly enough, I do think that we get and should use the summer break to evaluate our lives, our career path, our teaching styles and get revived, revitalized and restored. How can we do that? Well, the choice is yours because once we decide to go back using that clean slate, we have to raise the expectation bar and craft out a new school year!

Embracing Change

Read Some More!

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jun 23, 2019 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers

Read Some More!

By Marcia Davis-Dawkins

It’s that time of the year again, when as educators we ask students to read, read and read again during the summer. We ask our students to read several books and even do book reports and return the book reports the first week of school. For the most part, some students wait until a week before school reopens. Then they try to read book/s in one week, not to mention complete the book report. Ten chances to one, they are not done properly and the point of reading through the summer to encourage learning is missed totally. How can we as educators motivate students to read more during the summer and, as it were, enjoy reading? It saddens me when I heard a student say recently that he couldn’t wait until the end of the school year because he knows that his teacher will give him a book report and he will throw his hands in the air (along with the book) and let his book report directions fly away as he lifts his hands showing his happiness.

Like everything else, we are motivated to do things we enjoy and will want to do them because they make us happy and they won’t be drudgery. One of the things that came to mind is what young Marley Dias initiated. She is an author and public speaker and the youngest member of Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” She started a campaign called #1000blackgirlbooks because she was frustrated that she hadn’t read books in school featuring black children who are main characters and were written by black authors. Marley loves reading and has always loved reading and wants to encourage students to love reading as well and not see it as a form of punishment. Through her initiative students can be exposed to books where the characters resemble them and hence can identify with and feel confident in themselves. I intend to be a part of that initiative by buying some of those books for the students I work with and include books of Latino origins as well. The primary aim is simply to encourage students to read at whatever cost.

I recently read an article about a librarian who had a custom made book bike filled with 250 pounds of books and cycles all over the city of San Pedro. Her aim is to introduce people to reading and how much fun it can be. See article below. Through this awesome program, the librarian has given away 5,000 books to many readers of varying ages. This librarian aimed at “introducing people to the magic of reading.” I have found that many of the students with whom I work, are not even members of the library. They would rather play video games than read! I also spoke with another adult who thinks that libraries are unnecessary, because I-pads and phones are at our fingertips. Of course, I do know that even though electronic devices are at our fingertips, there are still some people who do not have access to electronic devices and need to use the library. Or what if the electronic devices are not working, then going to the library would serve as a big help to fill the gap.

This school year after seeing some students in the third grade read aloud to a dog. I decided to read more about the benefits of students reading aloud to dogs. I discovered that since most students like dogs, that reading to dogs could help improve the students’ reading skills by reading in an atmosphere that is relaxed. This relaxed atmosphere helps calm them. Reading to dogs can also help to decrease the stress of reading aloud since the dogs are not talking back or ridiculing them. This definitely could improve the students’ self esteem, boost the students’ self-confidence and also encourage them to read more. I did notice also that the dog that was being read to was very calm and was trained to be around students. The students also looked forward to spending time with the dog and really enjoyed reading to the dog. It was evident that they would miss this activity one day per week. One of the students even asked the dog owner if they (the dog and its owner) would return in fall when they were in the fourth grade. In the meantime, I was encouraging my second graders to read more so they can practice to read to the dog in third grade. I felt that it would motivate them to read more and then when they get to third grade they would be more comfortable reading. As educators, we have to do as much as we can to encourage students to be life long readers; after all, reading is everywhere and today’s readers become tomorrow’s leaders!