by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Mar 6, 2018 | Education, Parents, Teachers, Teens
No Man Is An Island
by Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
Over 400 years ago, John Donne penned the poem “No Man Is An Island” and several others, including Joan Baez and Dennis Brown, have followed up with songs of a similar title. In his poem, Dunne compared suffering to gold, arguing that we can never have enough of our neighbors’ pain: “No man hath affliction enough that is not matured and ripened by it.” In other words, he feels that no one suffers alone, and being aware of another’s pain only makes us stronger and more able to live. In a world where it seems as if people are selfish and think only of themselves, it is vitally important to remember:
Togetherness and Collaboration
The words emphasize that we should encourage unity, togetherness and collaboration. We need each other, even when we think we don’t. People can encourage us daily, especially when we surround ourselves with positive ones.
Many of us might think that we can do better by ourselves, and we think we don’t need families, friends or co-workers. The truth is, however, that we do! No one is truly self-sufficient. Humans cannot get along with their lives alone and succeed. We are all dependent on others and can’t thrive by being alone. We were created to be encouraging to each and this is supported in the Bible: Romans 12:4-5, ESV For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. This verse is emphasizing that because we are not good at everything and no matter how young, old, our racial ethnicity, our economic status, or our residence – we need each other.
As educators, we are called to reach ALL students
As educators, we are called to reach ALL students – which means that we have to collaborate and encourage each other and help each other to succeed and when we do so, our students reap the benefits. Teaching can be rewarding, but also extremely demanding and stressful. Fostering camaraderie crea
tes a positive culture where staff is enthusiastic, positive and supportive of each other and work together to accomplish the goals of the district. We can share ideas, or as often referred to ,“borrow ideas” from each other. No one is perfect, so we should share seeds of love gently. See the best in everyone – co-workers and children as well as students. We should be committed to our career, co-workers, students and do the best job that we can, regardless of what others may feel or think. Again, the Bible makes reference of togetherness in Romans 12:16, NLT Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Below are the lyrics of John Donne, Joan Baez and Dennis Brown whose poem and songs emphasize that we all need each other.
No Man Is An Island – John Donne
No man is an island entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were;
any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.
No Man Is an Island
Joan Baez
No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man’s joy is joy to me,
Each man’s grief is my own.
We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend.
I saw the people gather,
I heard the music start,
The song that they were singing,
Is ringing in my heart.
No man is an island,
Way out in the blue,
We all look to the one above,
For our strength to renew.
When I help my brother,
Then I know that I,
Plant the seed of friendship,
That will never die.
Songwriters: Peter Schickele
No Man Is an Island lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
No Man Is An Island by Dennis Brown
No man is an island
No man stands alone
Each man has a brother
And remember
Each man’s dream has a road
Now we need one another ooh yes
And we all try to be friends
Each man has a brother
And a each man has a friend
You can live in this world all by yourself
In this world all by yourself
No nonoooo you can’t make it alone
And just as sure as you try to make it by yourself
You gonna wake up and find you gonna need somebody else
No man is an island
No man stands alone
Each man has a brother
And remember
Each man’s dream has a road
Friendship
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Feb 8, 2018 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Ride Out the Storm
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
Let no one keep you from your journey. – Mark Nepo
Life’s journey can be very interesting and we simply have to make the best of each day. While on our journey, we have great days and not so great days. We encounter sunny days, windy, snowy and even stormy days. The stormy days are the most challenging, especially if the storm comes at night and, worse yet, if we are alone. It is then that time seems to stand still and last forever. What we must remember, however, is that often the darkest times can bring us to the brightest 
places, and that our most painful struggles can grant us the most necessary growth. What seems like a curse at that moment can actually be a blessing, and what seems like the end of the road is actually just the discovery that we are meant to travel down a different path. There is always hope and no matter how powerless we may seem, we can’t give up. We have to resolve to keep going, no matter how scary, even when it seems as if all our strength is gone. We have to keep picking ourselves up and move forward through whatever we are battling at the moment, even if it’s only inches at a time, one foot in front of the other, because we never know what is around the bend.
Faith Isn’t a Feeling
As educators we have days when we feel as if we are not reaching the students, even when we try everything possible to motivate them. We have to persevere and hope that somehow we will meet the needs of at least one student. We can make a difference by just pressing onward. Each school year brings with it new challenges, new students, and new experiences. But it also brings renewed hope. I believe that when we go through our seasons of doubts, we can use the experiences to rethink and that each setback teaches wisdom. That wisdom is not always easy to come by. We will get frustrated, shed some tears and doubt if we should even continue trying. It’s fine to break down, but we must do it with the understanding that we will come out the other end a little smarter, a little stronger, and a whole lot more prepared. A bad situation is only permanent if we THINK it is. If we think we’ve reached our limits, then we have. If we think things will never get better, then they won’t. It’s imperative that we change our thinking. 
We must painstakingly examine everything that’s holding us back, each and every obstacle, and realize that each of these limitations is just temporary. We are the ones capable of bringing about change and we can keep going long after we think we can. That determination and conviction coupled with faith will lead the way. We can be encouraged by Dave Willis, who said, “Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God when the road ahead seems uncertain.”
Determination and Perseverance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Nepo
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jan 30, 2018 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Accept You For Who You Are
By Marcia Davis-Dawkins
How many times have we heard the expression, “Follow your dreams”? At times it just seems so overused and meaningless. In this 21st century, we are always competing for several things, especially jobs. Life simply feels stressful because of the pressures we face. At times it feels as if self-talk has to come into play to dig us out of life’s ditches. Self-talk can help us to have better self-confidence. One of the things that we should invest in is a gratitude journal where we can write down what we are thankful for and appreciate what we sometimes take for granted. If we have a gratitude journal we can also begin our day with positive thoughts.
S.M.A.R.T
On a whole, we have to accept who we are and teach people to love us. We should love ourselves as well as set standards and morals for ourselves. We have to learn to appreciate who we are before we can appreciate and love other people including our students. We should dream big and set SMART goals. S.M.A.R.T. goal is defined as one that is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time bound. Own and Hone your craft – be passionate about what you do (your passion should be in line with your purpose). Evaluate your path and progress. Stay focused no matter what the issues or the problems. We should be the best that we can be and realize that success doesn’t come overnight but we should begin our journey without fears.
Accept Yourself
Psychotherapist, Margarita Tartakovsky lists 12 Ways to Accept Yourself:
- Set an intention.
- Celebrate your strengths.
- Consider the people around you.
- Create a support system.
- Forgive yourself.
- Shush your inner critic.
- Grieve the loss of unrealized dreams.
- Perform charitable acts.
- Realize that acceptance is not resignation
- Speak to your highest self
- Be kind to yourself
- Fake it til you make it
As educators, we can help students set goals and if and when they fall off course try to get them back on track. Keep encouraging them because there is something good within all of us. We should let the our mantra be, “If a task is once begun, never leave it till it’s done. Be the labor great or small. Do it well or not at all.”
Determination and Perseverance
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jan 8, 2018 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
I Can Do All Things
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
Whenever a New Year begins people often reflect on the past year and set new goals that they want to accomplish. The intention may be to lose weight, eat healthy, begin college, or start a diet, among many others. Whatever it is, it usually calls for will power, self-talk, motivation or simply encouragement from friends or family. It takes some inner strength and dogged determination to achieve the goals which were set.
Motivational Speaker Jessica Cox
Take for instance, Motivational Speaker Jessica Cox. She has defied all odds by turning obstacles into accomplishments. Jessica Cox was born without arms as a result of a rare birth defect, but that has not stopped her from being a dancer, a swimmer, and driver of a car. Astonishingly , she drives a car without having to use her upper body. She uses her feet like most people use their hands, enabling her to drive an unmodified car with an unrestricted license. She can also type on a keyboard at twenty-five words per minute, pump her own gas, and to put in and remove her contact lenses. Additionally, she is a certified SCUBA diver. Jessica Cox also has her Sport Pilot Certificate for an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, designed in the 1940s, which the Federal Aviation Administration has designated as a light sport aircraft. The plane that she flies was built without rudder pedals. Instead, the rudder interconnects with the ailerons through the yoke. This unique design allows Cox to control the airplane with one foot controlling the yoke, while the other foot controls the throttle.
After reading about Jessica Cox and her accomplishments, there is hardly anyone who can say that they wouldn’t be able to achieve whatever they conceive and believe. In a previous article, I discussed what it means to do self-talk . There is power and life in the tongue. Speak success into your life. Once there’s life, there’s hope. We should encourage each other with positive vibes. The sky is the limit and as educators we have to incite ourselves,as well as our students, to reach for the sky.
I Can
Jessica’s story has shown us adversities and challenges should not prevent us from trying and doing our best. Once we put our minds to accomplishing something, we can do it since we say “I Can” is in the phrase “I Can’t!” In the long run, challenges turn us into better people. How can an educator or a parent encourage a student or child to follow his or her dreams? We could help and introduce students to SMART goal setting, When we set goals they will be motivated, purpose will be improved and attention will be more focused. As educators we must give students positive feedback. Be a role model and use words that inspire and compliment. A single word can change a student’s life or dream. New year, new beginning ! We can redirect a student’s path to positively. Let us also walk in newness, strength and boldness! Remember as Napolean Hill once said, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve!” 
Determination and Perseverance
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Dec 19, 2017 | Education, Parents, Teachers, Teens
Education and Success
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
“What are you studying again?” “Why are you still in school?” “You are still studying?” These are some of the questions I often hear from my peers or family members. I heard those questions so many times that I just wanted to take a few steps back and look at them under a microscope.
Professional Student 
I guess being hungry to learn, or what some people refer to as a “professional student,” is seen as a terrible thing. Some people, including myself, are often referred to as professional students, but are simply trying to study for several reasons. What are some of the reasons why people study or go further than high school education? The list seems endless, but includes some of the following: –
- To climb the ladder of success
- To be someone
- To use as an equal opportunity
- To gain knowledge
- To improve one’s knowledge
- To be more diverse
- To be more proficient in their aspirations in life
- To fulfill job requirements (to get promoted)
- It is fun to learn – some people just simply like to learn
- To gain employment
- To make more money
- Want to get a higher education than their parents did
- To set an example for their children
- To switch careers
- To make a connection (meet people) or to network
- To reinvent self
- Love to learn
- Gain independence
- Employment
- To break the glass ceiling
The reasons may vary but ideally, in the long run once you are educated no one can take education away.
As I reflect on myself as an educator, I wonder how students feel about being in my classroom. Do I encourage and promote a love for learning? I can engage students in continued learning so they enjoy and value learning
Changing the powerless with Education and Success!
Since I am given the curriculum, I should try to focus on the classroom environment, the materials that I use to engage the students, as well as their interests. The activities and materials that I use to teach students should not be boring or mundane. If I show enthusiasm about the subjects I teach, then students will be excited about learning and want to keep learning. I should explore the various learning styles to meet my students’ needs. Do I value their thinking? Do I think about their differences? Do I set specific learning goals for the students so they will love learning? I should always be thinking about how I can help my students feel a sense of belonging and also get to know their parents. I can implore upon them that education holds them up for the rest of their lives. It’s part of the foundation upon which everything else rests.
As a teacher, I can share information about the student’s specific areas of weaknesses and strength so I can help parents realize the underlying causes of their child’s difficulty. This conversation can also include information about how to help their child use areas of strength to support areas of weakness. This will promote success for the students. I can use my educational status to change the powerless.
It is vital to remember that in this fast paced world, staying in the same place is actually going backward. If you don’t keep learning, if you choose to stand still, you will fall behind in the game of life. It’s usually what you learn after you think you know it all that is the most valuable!
by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Dec 4, 2017 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens
The Teacher Who Makes a Difference!!!
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
Gail Goldwin once said, “Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.” It is not uncommon for teachers to spend many hours 
grading papers, preparing lessons, entering grades in computers and just figuring out how to make a lesson fun and exciting to students. Those teachers who go above and beyond to help everyone they meet deserve hugs and the highest honors. To the teachers who have to wait for the custodians to open doors to the school every morning, this is for you. Because every time I feel like I’m early for work at 7 am, there are a few people who are already ahead of me, photocopying assignments for learning groups.
Being Ready to Teach
By 8:35 am every morning those same teachers are ready to teach with creative, interesting, rigorous and thought-provoking lessons. Lessons that open the students’ minds, and not only encourage them to absorb facts, but acquire understanding.
Many years ago when I was hired to teach at an urban school district in New Jersey, it was hard to adjust to the new environment. But the same teachers who were up early in the morning to prepare, were the same ones who welcomed me, by having students write me letters of advice on how to become a wonderful teacher like the ones they already had. Since that day, it has been my quest to make my classes just as fun- filled and rigorous as their classes. It was William Ward who said, “The teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, and the great teacher inspires.” The teachers who go above and beyond have motivated me and so many other faculty members to be the best teachers we can be by seamlessly weaving fun and custom wrapped methods which result in success for divergent personalities.
Having humility, patience and enthusiasm for the subject area is how inspirational teachers continue to do so well. They have high expectations for their students and the students enjoy the encouragement as they rise to the challenge. They provide a warm environment that allows their students to make mistakes.
On a professional level, these teachers are always willing to collaborate and make suggestions where needed. Great teachers do not say things like, “You’re really not cut out for this.” “This is not your thing.” They realize that students soon learn their own limitations and do not erect false ceilings up for them. Inspirational teachers have been consistently driving students to be the best that they can be for many years.
When a school is divested of such individuals, whether through attrition, retirement, reassignment, etc., everyone suffers. Sure, their positions may be filled, but they can rarely be replaced. There remains a resounding void, both in the classroom and in the hearts of those for whom their inspiration may have been his or her last hope. Teachers Who Makes a Difference
HOME
Get Notified About Our Blog Post Subscribe Below
The words emphasize that we should encourage unity, togetherness and collaboration. We need each other, even when we think we don’t. People can encourage us daily, especially when we surround ourselves with positive ones.
tes a positive culture where staff is enthusiastic, positive and supportive of each other and work together to accomplish the goals of the district. We can share ideas, or as often referred to ,“borrow ideas” from each other. No one is perfect, so we should share seeds of love gently. See the best in everyone – co-workers and children as well as students. We should be committed to our career, co-workers, students and do the best job that we can, regardless of what others may feel or think. Again, the Bible makes reference of togetherness in Romans 12:16, NLT Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
