by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Dec 27, 2017 | Education
The Joy of Giving
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
We recently celebrated the holiday season and most of us were considering “giving joyously.” Perhaps the giving was not limited to just “joyously,” but delightfully, gratefully, passionately, freely, readily, and warmly among many others. We give our time, money, gifts, love, talents, selves, and service. We give to our family, friends, community, career, and business. As educators, we are also called to give in various ways to our students, co-workers and district. There are times when we feel like we have given our all and it is not appreciated, or we give and we don’t feel as if we are getting back. The Bible reminds us in Acts 20:35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself who said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
How many of us can honestly say that we give without expecting to receive in return? I know that as educators some of us can say that we are appreciative when students’ eyes illuminate because they have understood a concept that we are teaching. Or we are validated when another student says that it is because of us that they are encouraged to attend school. For some reason, most educators believe that we get the best out of students when we give them our best. It is a known fact that education is not the highest paid profession; however, we give delightfully and with grace and from our heart. We put much thought into what we give because we want our students to give us joy through their joy of learning, their wonderful grades, and the memories that they will treasure through the learning experiences in the classroom. We honestly believe that the giving begins with us and we don’t always receive or see the rewards immediately. We can learn from several people who gave of themselves and showed us that there is power in giving. Notable figures like Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X, Mandela, Marcus Garvey, to name a few, consistently remind us of the strength in giving. We are reminded to give passionately daily, but not just during the holiday season.
Even though, as humans, most of us enjoy being on the receiving end, we have to give in spite of a reward. There are some people (including educators) who I know can say that at some point or another, they have received a gift that they didn’t expect or that exceeded their expectations. Well, it is important to remember that we are still blessed when we are able to say, “Wow, we got paid for all those other days we were giving.”
David Cameron Gikandi sums of giving joyfully when he said, “Give cheerfully and freely. It is the energy behind the giving that matters so do not give grudgingly. The law of cause and effect guarantees that you shall receive plenty for what you give.” Let us encourage each other of to give of our best realize that in giving, we will receive in due time!
Education and Success
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 12, 2017 | Education
It’s Gonna Be Okay!
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
“It’s gonna be okay, Mommy!” These were words of comfort from the mouth of a five year old. This is a message that is so profound – it sends peace, hope, trust, reassurance positivity and love. There are so many days when I feel discourage, but those words give me the will to go on. It tells me that I have hope for the future, hope for unfulfilled dreams. Aristotle once said, “Hope is a waking dream.”
HOPE
In the classroom,there are many students who are hopeful, but aren’t even aware of this hope, or they don’t understand that there is hope. They might not be able to read or even understand a math problem, but with encouragement and a pat on their shoulders, teachers are sending a message of hope. This is telling them that even though things seem bleak, they can learn to read one day at a time with proper coaching.
As educators we never know how much of an impact we have on students. We might be the only source of inspiration because we provide an atmosphere of calm and serenity. The majority of them know that we have their best interests in mind. Our experiences as educators taught us that students gravitate towards us when we all them to feel wanted in our and years after they will still reflect on some of the experiences in the classroom. We present the epitome of promise for some students who have documented struggles at home – lack of parental guidance, lack of functional home environment, abusive homes, overcrowded homes and other factors that are not conducive to learning. But with encouragement we can detect the gleam in their eyes as the school year progresses and they gain understanding of the material in the curriculum. Educators can be pessimistic at times, but when we measure the success stories against the disappointments, we will find that they vastly outweigh each other.
Hope is spelt out a student I taught Math in 5th grade a few years ago. When this student entered my class all I could hear from her was how much she disliked Math and I told her I would get her to change her mind about Math. With the correct coaxing, coaching, and differentiating she left my class feeling more positive and hopeful about the subject. Fast-forward five years later I heard from this student that she was taking Advanced Proficiency Math! You can just imagine my face beaming with pride!!
Hope sends the message to a student who has failed a test, to pick himself/herself up and try harder for the next test. This student stays motivated and can do self-talk, because the positive message is being reinforced daily in the classroom. “It’s gonna be okay,” is the affirmative mantra we all need to adopt!
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
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by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Nov 27, 2017 | Education, Teens
By Dr. Marcia Davis-Dawkins
I am certain that you have felt rejection in some form!
I have been down that road several times and it is never taken lightly. Rejection comes in many forms, some of which include:
- interview choice
- job choice
- award choice
- team choice
- home owner choice
Several questions/thoughts arise after being rebuffed. “Why didn’t I get that?” “Am I not good enough?” For the broken relationship, “What could I have done differently?” “Am I beautiful enough?” “Am I too fat?” Too skinny?” I, like most people, was often tormented with self-doubt. With the questions and thoughts, came the wallowing in self-pity. I was weak and my defenses were down. I didn’t feel like fighting, but then I started to search my heart and asked myself, “Is there a wicked way in me?”
I should despise my weaknesses, but then comes the self-talk – “Timing is always key – nothing happens before its time.” “Maybe I wasn’t ready to be an accountant; I was rejected for a reason.” I often use my defeat to see how I can help my students, and others who cross my path. I am learning to be thankful for even not being chosen. It’s part of my process to be stronger. I have to learn to love me, grow in my own skin and appreciate me for me.
How do I pass this on to my students who cross my path? Do I treat them according to their needs? Do I give one more attention than the other? Do they crave my attention and I pass them by or shrug them off? Do I put myself in their shoes? Do I minimize their worth? Do I show them respect? Are my students behaving badly because I show some preferential treatments? Do I dismiss their responses? How do I make my students feel? Do I allow them to have a voice? Do I connect with them so they feel comfortable in my classroom?
As educators and parents we have to consider some, if not all of these questions and see how we make others feel.
There is a quote by Maya Angelou that resonates with me . “People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel”. What would we want our children/students to remember after our encounter with them? We should treat others, including our children/students, the way we want to be treated!
I believe, however, that one of the biggest responsibilities I have is teaching students to re-visualize rejection. The harsh reality is that no one escapes it. Once one progresses past the “participation trophy” phase of life, rejection is a given. Those disappointments should be viewed not as failures, but as opportunities to redirect to something even better. While the immediate dismissal may cut like a laceration to the soul, in actuality, one learns more from rejection and failure than from acceptance and success.
Consider the example of Mr. Jack Ma, a Chinese business magnate, philosopher, philanthropist and founder and executive director of Alibaba, a conglomerate of internet businesses. He relates the story of how when KFC first came to China, he threw his hat into the ring as one of the job applicants. He stated that twenty- four people completed applications and twenty-three were accepted…all but him. Additionally, this was only one of the thirty jobs that he had applied for and was given the thumbs down. But he speaks of how he was motivated by that rejection, and while for some it might have been the end of a story, for him, it was the beginning. He learned that out of his greatest rejection came his greatest direction. He realized that life was tough, but so was he. He embraced the notion that successful people reject rejection. Today, Mr. Ma has a net worth of 47.8 billion dollars. On occasion, he orders at the KFC drive-through. He does not gloat, stick out his tongue nor pump his fist in victory, but rather always offers an overly enthusiastic “thank you!”
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