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.
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Mar 16, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Stay on the Trail
By Dr. Marci
For many of us this period has been very overwhelming and maybe difficult. There are those who are cracking under pressure including financial, loss of jobs, mental health issues, learning loss and for some it can be that we are experiencing all of them. Since as teachers we wear many different hats, we try to fix all of them in the classroom yet, we are suffering silently and at times it seems as if we are all alone because it seems as if no one cares or understands. Of course, we are humans and can crack too. I believe that it is always necessary to stay on the trail but also important to take a break. It seems as if administrators, fellow teachers, parents, and students just don’t get it – even though we try to do the right thing professionally, words are thrown at the educator as if he/she is not human and have no feelings. Yes, it is also easy to say, “Oh she is so sensitive, she gets upset for everything!” But who gives that person the right to say that or even think that that person is not supposed to deal with her feelings? Words affect people differently and we should be mindful of what we say to each other.
Life can be so unkind sometimes and to add to our sadness, there are wars, sickness, meanness, and on and on. The struggles are real, and we are forced to grin and bear things but also stay on the trail and do everything that is considered good.
Stay on the trail and pretend that we don’t struggle, or nothing bothers us. We must take time to breathe and even check in with our mental health and do things that make us feel special. For me, it’s the little things that help me to just breathe, things like spending time with family and do things that are on my bucket list. Speaking of bucket list, I had the opportunity to go explore the 
Grand Canyon in Arizona. For the first time in a long while I was able to forget about teaching and dealing with administrators but to take in nature at that breathtaking place. Truth is the experience was more than words could tell or maybe my words. In one day, I experienced three seasons the temperature went from 60 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit where it even iced (slushy snow) and then it went straight to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The day was eventful, and I got a chance to see and reflect on God’s splendor. The experience was enjoyable, yet vibrant. I knew that this was also another learning experience for me. God placed me there for a reason, the friends who accompanied me on this journey I got to know better and learned so much of the things we share. It gave me the opportunity to take a break, reflect, laugh, and enjoy nature. And how could I forget, I also am very grateful for the fact that I was able to have the experience and use all my given senses. I came face to face with the love of life and God’s Grace towards me. It encouraged me to look at my inner core and who I am based on the various rocks and their formation. There were rocks of various sizes, colors, depth among other things. Just simply amazing! One of the big things that this experience also taught was simply how to stay on the right trail or course of action. Set goals and stick to them, don’t get distracted or I could get lost. Don’t focus on the meanness of what others say or do because they could be lost too and unsure who they are or what makes them tick.
On the journey, I was able to stop at the Hoover Dam and watched in awe at how vast the space was and how the people who built the dam suffered during the building of this beautiful place so we could enjoy. The Mike O’ Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial which linked Nevada and Arizona Bridge showed me how beautiful things could happen if we could come together as one and we stayed on the trail to reach the wonderful Grand Canyon. This breath-taking wander of the world arched 1,900 feet bridge was made of concrete and steel and spans over 1,500 feet downstream from the Hoover Dam. What a moment it was for me? I started thinking of the difference I was making in the lives of my students, and I needed to stay on the trail and continue to make a difference even when I feel like giving up or want to stop because of the meanness of others I might meet. My gift to help others should not stop and better yet, I won’t stop at mediocrity. What can you do to stay on the trail?
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 14, 2021 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Just a Smile
By Dr. Marci
Today I woke up just feeling happy and wanted to share. I saw a friend of mine posted a Thich Nhat Hanh quote that said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of
your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” Wow, I thought it was so profound and I even was inspired to write about it! It might seem 
like mere coincidence, but as soon as I sat to begin writing, I got a message from one of my cousins whose message read, “Smile and be happy. When people say they can’t see anything good in you… hug them and say, “Life is difficult for the blind.” I know it was meant to bring a smile to my face and I did smile, especially since I was thinking about smiling and it confirmed that I needed to write. It is a reminder that despite all the sadness that is around us, we can still find something to be happy about and smile.
We can even laugh since laughter is medicinal. It is also telling me that as I prepare to go back in the classroom after the summer break, I should continue to give smiles for those students and staff who might get joy from my smiles. Of course, there are factors such as COVID-19 and mask wearing, but we can still smile! I am reminded how I recently saw the smile in a few students’ eyes as they received their tablets to assist with online learning. Those smiles bought me joy, so I smiled. Thank goodness we can smile. I am thankful for all the smiles I have given and will continue to give and very thankful for the smiles I have been given. Keep on smiling, it makes a difference!
Determination and Perseverance
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | May 3, 2021 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Compassion or Indifference?
By Dr. Marcia
You might know or have heard the lyrics of the song below. I wanted to write all the words so we could get to focus on the words and maybe even sing or listen to it at your convenience.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some, but for everyone
Lord, we don’t need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last ’til the end of time
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, but for everyone
Lord, we don’t need another meadow
There are cornfields and wheatfields enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
Oh listen, Lord, if you want to know
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, every, everyone 
The lyrics to this song written by David Hal and composed by Burt Bacharach gives such a wonderful message and even though written in 1965, is still applicable today. This song is beautiful and has been sang by various artistes. The world is in always in need of love and to step it further it should be filled with compassion. What is the difference you may ask? Even though closely related love can be viewed as that deep feeling of fondness or even warmth towards another person and compassion on the other hand is a concerned pity and deep concern for people’s misery or their adversities.
Covid-19 has brought about so much sadness, in many forms and it is easy to say that people have been frustrated and overwhelmed with the various forms of sadness through deaths, sickness, joblessness, unpaid bills, depression, anger, loneliness, social injustice, just to name a few. To add to the ongoing misfortunes, people have become unkind and even lack compassion. To me, it seems as if we have become indifferent and less caring, to the point of being selfish or even rude. At times some people have said unkind things to each other without even thinking about what the words and the impact on the person/s hearing them. There are those who might say that the recipients of words are too thin skinned, and these persons are not realizing that they are demeaning and disrespecting the recipient’s feelings. How can we show compassion, you may ask? I have always thought that if we are kind to ourselves, then it follows that it can be easy to pass on being compassionate to others. There are several persons who have compiled various lists and a few of them include
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Being kind
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Being courteous
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Giving hugs if it’s appropriate
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Giving a listening ear – people like to know that we care, simply by listening to them
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Listen without interrupting
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Being verbal, yet temper how we say things to others
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Being encouraging and supportive
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Being a team player
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When communicating watch our body language as sometimes that speaks nonverbally
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Being respectful – call the person by his/her name and make sure it’s pronounced correctly
Some people are known to say things without even knowing how it might affect the person who is hearing the words. It is clearly not what we say but how we say it! Of course, we can deliver bad news by choosing how to deliver. We sometimes get indifferent towards the needs of others. Let us try show love and a little more than love for each other even steering away from being indifferent. Elie Wiesel once said,
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” Always try to be giving, forgiving, compassionate and loving. It is necessary to do the right thing by being compassionate, since doing the right thing is always liberating!
Love is Patient and Kind
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Apr 16, 2021 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
I Can Be Made New
By Dr. Marcia
On two separate occasions, while growing up, I was bitten by two dogs. Ever since, my love for dogs changed drastically. I have been traumatized! 
On one of the occasions, I was visiting my grandfather and was going back home. At the bus stop I wanted to use the bathroom so badly that my aunt said I could go ask one of the women in the neighborhood to use the bathroom. As I turned to go, I could see a dog without leash and I hesitated, however, the woman’s daughter reassured me that I was safe. As soon as I got to the door, and before I got a chance to even think, the dog pounced on me and hung onto my knee! Maybe some of you are thinking that it was a little scratch, but a chunk of my knee was literally taken out and eaten like a piece of meat. My world turned upside down as I started screaming in anguish. I trusted this lady – and yet my trust was broken. It felt like I didn’t want to use the bathroom again. Come to think of it, it was a good thing I didn’t pee on myself! I remember the woman cleaned my wound and put bandage on it and I went back to the bus stop and carried on as if things were only derailed for 5 minutes.
The second time was not as dramatic, but I knew I would never trust anyone who was near a dog ever again. There were other times when I wanted, I was told to ignore the dogs I saw because they were friendly, but I knew better and would not go near any dog. I am not a fan or dogs, and I am really cautious when I hear people say that they are quiet, friendly and can be petted. It seems as if they usually sense my fear and without a doubt always move towards me to show how “friendly” they are. I don’t usually try to find out either as avoid them as much as I can. With that background in mind, it is no wonder that read with skepticism, an article in a Jamaican newspaper which talked about some Jamaican mongrel dogs that were “rescued” and sent to a shelter to Canada. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/144_Royal_Caribbean_Terriers_off_to_Canada?profile=1228
Days after I read the article, I started thinking about the dogs who were considered just “ordinary” who were not cared for properly but now because of a dogs’ shelter there was a change of course for them. These dogs were less fortunate than most but now they became visible. I drew a correlation to my life and the lives of people in general. There are times when we might get an opportunity and that could change the trajectory of our journey. That change could mean that we are moved to higher heights simply because a door was opened, and the course of the journey has changed. The journey of the dogs changed even their names seemed more sophisticated – they are now Caribbean Terriers instead of simply mongrels. They migrated from the streets to travel on a plane and onto a shelter.
Like the Caribbean Terriers, there is a purpose for all of us – even when things seem to be spinning out of control, we are encouraged to use every opportunity that we have to shine our lights. In the midst of chaos, we must remember that Our Father is still in control. Covid-19 has brought us so much sadness and we tend to want to give up, we must not give up – we must fight on and lift our heads above the waters. We must surround ourselves with people who will support and encourage us to connect to the best version of ourselves.
The lesson of that I got from the Caribbean Terriers is that there is greatness in each of us. There is a purpose in us and shouldn’t fear. Most of all we should encourage ourselves as well as those we encounter. We can make a positive impact on everyone. We cannot give up on ourselves or even our students – most times we might be the last person they can hear positive words from. The question is, how can I help to make someone’s life new simply by being positive?
Empowerment
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Mar 6, 2021 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
No One Should Steal Your Happy
By Dr. Marcia
“I apologize for what happened yesterday, and it won’t happen again. Today, no one is going to steal my happy!” Those were the words of my seven-year student who had a temper tantrum the day before and he declared that he was responsible for his happiness. This bold statement from a young child hit me like a rock because it also made me think about the days when I would allow someone to steal my happy. The same days that I may have even thrown a tantrum of my own because I was frustrated and even confused. What about you, have you ever allowed someone to steal your happy? 
It is interesting to say that even though I am a) many years older than seven and b) the teacher and leader for children. This was a huge lesson for me and a reminder that I am definitely in charge of my happiness. It had me thinking of so many ways that I can make myself happy as well as helping others to be happy. Of course, there are days when things just seem overwhelming and overbearing but there has to be some ways to be happy and claim our happy. For me, being happy spiritually will lead me to greater happiness. I am reminded of the Bible verse in Nehemiah 8:10 NIV, “Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Strength and happiness go hand in hand, those two words also help with our affirmation. Let’s not clutch on to sadness – choose happiness. We are sometimes addicted to being sad.
Our children can teach us so much, but we may marginalize what they have to say and miss their point. Let’s help them and ourselves to reach out towards being the positive emotion. Let go of the familiar negative energy. Happiness may seem like it’s hard to find, but we should meditate on this quote from an author who is unknown, “Don’t let the entire staircase overwhelm you. Just focus on that first step.” Remember being happy is really up to you! Sometimes we allow others to really steal or happy or we rely on others to decide when we are happy.
There are many people who have written about ways to encourage us to be happy. I will list some of them, even though I don’t think the list exhausted. Maybe we can look at see if some of them will help. According to Cyndi Calhoun in an article in Lifehack. She shares this list.
Start with a good dose of gratitude.
Make sure you are giving back.
Laugh every day (it’s better than money)
Foster good relationships with family and friends.
Take some alone time.
Do what you love.
Volunteer your time.
Get enough exercise.
I can only wonder if anyone or anything is stealing our happy. Believe me I have really been thinking and taking stack of what is stealing my happy or joy.
There 
are studies that say that happiness really begins with showing gratitude, so that’s a good place to start – Give thanks for everything!
Determination and Perseverance
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.
