Why Education...?

Growing up in a country where free education is available for students between the ages of 5-18, I am perplexed at the notion that in many instances education is not valued by students in America as much as schooling is valued by students in other countries. The premise of this blog stems from a few things I've observed as an Academic Professional and a few things I've observed during my current Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership. 

"I don't need to know this...!!!  Why (are) we learning this...???  I can't see how this is going to help me in the future," are some of the responses I get when I am encouraging students to value the benefits of being educated -- especially in an era of high stakes assessment exams and the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.   

There's no secret that NCLB has been the focal point of this country's K-12 educational system for the past decade ... and although I grasp and applaud the ideology associated with NCLB, I find the methodology to be faulty in some capacity ... but because I will refrain from my soap-box about the things I find troublesome about NCLB, I will note that literature has shown that NCLB has had a positive impact (depending on which lens one is looking out of) on the students this legislation was drafted for.

In noting the aforementioned while speaking from my perspective as an adjunct professor and my time in today's urban high school settings, I must say the reality of my latter sentence is quite challenging to believe, but that's for another blog.  In short I find a good portion of today's secondary educated students lacking a variety of soft skills and academic aptitude, but more importantly, I find them lacking the zeal and fervor to go beyond status quo.  Needless to say this is problematic for a number a reasons, but more or so due to the fact that without some type of post-secondary education these students will become another statistic to what society predicts for individuals who have no skill sets and aspirations of positively contributing to their community.

One of my pedagogy platforms revolves around 21st Century Learning and assuring I am concurrently socially and academically enriching students while also ensuring I am educating them as opposed to teaching them (recognize the difference between the two).  I tell my students all the time that because we are living in a world that is interdependent and constantly evolving, individual success is heavily dependent on one's mental capacity, and his ability to think critically.

In theory, the reality is if one is to ask "Why Education", I would simply say, "Knowledge is an intangible source of income that is immeasurably PROFITABLE!"

As always, stay inspired..!!

What Now...?

The beauty of this present moment is that you're living to whatever beat or drum that has you operating to whatever aspiration or goal you are trying to reach/accomplish. However, that's the easy part of day-to-day living. We've all been there, witnessed and/or smelled it way too many times than what we care to imagine. It's those days when we're like this day can't get any better then this!!! ... Or it's those times when you're like this day can't get any worse and ‘what now'?

For those who are in the latter state, I encourage you to read on while those who are not -- I encourage to con't reading as well.

So what is the 'what now’? Do you know? Have an idea? Do you care to find out? Is it even a concern to you? If you are still pondering, I applaud you because this basically means that you have what I like to consider a progressive approach to life and that you do not accept status quo.

For as long as I can remember, I've always been that individual who believed that there was more then one-way to reach a certain point... that there was a reason and season for everything, and most importantly that each occurrence whether it was good or bad was a monumental moment in my development as an individual.

So whenever you're having one those days when you can't fathom why this is happening and so forth. I encourage you to be optimistic, reflect and be mindful on why it is such... b/c you are not where you are @ today (educationally, professionally, socially, etc) w/o some turmoil or foundational grounding occurring.

In a previous publishing, I talked about 'The Process'. Bask in it!!!

As Always, Stay Inspired...!!!

Time of Remberance

It's Thursday, January 20, 2011 -- another year removed from an historical moment that I am reserved to say that it will probably be the last time this world and country will ever witness. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama became the 1st Black President of the United States of America. Yes. A Black Man is leading this country as the 44th President.

Now as I'm trying to organize my thoughts & find the right words to write. I'm still in awe with built up emotions, happiness, disbelief and most importantly motivation.

In speaking to the latter, there's no secret that majority of my culture is raised in urban communities where there are not a lot of positive male role models to observe and aspire to be in regards to positively contributing to society. A common slogan I remember hearing, is that "The Man" is holding me back from doing... blah, blah, blah!!!! Now some of this may have some validity, coupled with a variety of other things that could have contributed to the current state of young African American Boys who transition to adulthood -- and are still not being a positive member of the community. But to solely blame it on "The Man" is an excuse that I feel can no longer be used mainly b/c of the position Pres. Obama holds.

For far too long this mindset crippled the minds and doings of many -- not b/c they were unable to accomplish certain feats, but mostly b/c they were too lazy to beat the odds. The easy way out is to not experience rejection whereas a famous leader once said that "the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

In essence, there's a lot that can be said but in sake of writing this to pay homage to past leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X to name a few, and for the anniversary of America's 1st Black President -- I'm just reminded that this day ignites me with the motivation to con't beating the odds of what society predicts for young African American Men.

As Always, Stay Inspired...!!!

The Right Time...?

Is today the right time? What about tomorrow? What about next week? Next month? Or better yet when is the right time? Do we ever have the answer to when is the right time to do anything in life? Unless you're blessed with powers that I believe God only has... I'd suggest that you may never know when is the right time to do something that more times or not can and/or could alter, persuade or move your life one way or the other.

For a moment just think of all the times where you said I wish or should have done this or that b/c of what the outcome or the current state you stand has revealed. If I'm not mistaken or if I can give you my hypothesis. I'd say you've done this at least a few times a month or if you're a very analytical person like myself I would assume you do this quite often.

As for me, I ponder over this realization at least once or twice a week and especially during those times when I look @ my current circumstances/situations I'm challenged to manage. I say, and sometimes beat myself up over the head with the what "if" I would have done this, that or said this and so forth... but w/o spending too much time on this notion I quickly revert back to my reality, and focus on bettering my current state.

In giving major love to my pastor and to what it seems like his opportune sermons every Sunday. In the past month or so, he's preached on everything from "Ain't Nothing Going To Turn Me Around" all the way up to "Make Up Your Mind!" From my perspective, these titles sum it all up in a nut-shell...

When it's that time to make either or decision to do or not to do. Just remember that whenever it's that time to act on something, nothing shall turn you around and when your mind is made up, do it all w/ the right intention and everything else shall fall w/ in the right time.

Your perspective, mind and thoughts are always welcomed!

Stay Inspired....

How Am I Living...?

Am I satisfied? Happy? Content? Are we happy? Do what I do make me happy? What is happiness in my eyes and in my reality?

Now, I know you're probably stuck on this thought as you motion your head either upwards or straight ahead in a gaze trying to (1) figure out what I'm really asking here or (2) think of whether or not you're happy about about things when you look @ the daily circumstances of your life.

In keeping it in its truest essence of K.I.S.S. [Keep It Simple Stupid (no pun intended)]. These questions I pose are derived from the basic premise of "How are you living in reference to happiness?"

Without even hearing your story, I can honestly say that we all should be happy b/c with each day there's a new opportunity and possibility for you to reach a level of happiness. Just the simple fact that you woke up this morning is more than enough of a reason to be happy. Having the ability to even turn on a computer whether it is yours or your jobs and access "A Time & Place for Everything" is another reason to be happy (had to throw that in there). I can go on and on but the point I'm trying to make is whether or not we confuse happiness with what we do or don't have ... or do we confirm happiness about where we stand in our reality?

Thanks for your minds and thoughts...

Where do I go...?

It's easy to say to this is where I want to go, be in life and ultimately be remembered as when it's my time to leave this earth.

As I revert back to my memories as far back as a toddler. To as recent as my thought-pattern as of last week and to this morning. One of the things I've always considered during each stage of my life is to be in a position to go on and do big things in life and be remembered as one of those guys who made something out of his life - so that my kids and their children would not only have a head-start in becoming successful adults - but also be proud to carry on my name for generations to come.

Some may call these lofty goals and others may down play them and say that this all I want to do and accomplish?!?! Well peep the logic behind it all...

In speaking for myself along with most Black kids' growing up in Urban America. We're already @ a disadvantage b/c of the neighborhoods we live in and the economic structure of what our communities produce; the education or inadequate education we receive; and more times than not - majority of the neighborhood is being raised by single parent homes or worse - the streets.

The logic behind it all is that I truly believe that success is measured not from what you've accomplished but by how the one's who follow in your foot-steps flourish from what they've inherited and learned from your being and knowledge. Therefore, as I pose the question where do I go and how do I begin to accomplish my success story? I look back at what I've done thus far along my journey of reaching my pinnacle of achievement in every field of human endeavor, along with taking an inventory look into those life learned lessons, struggles, trails and tribulations and good times I've experienced ... and say that although I'm not where I want to be in almost every capacity of my life. I'm still keeping on keeping on b/c I think I've positioned myself with enough resources to be ready to walk into that spectrum of where I want to be and go when the opportunity presents itself.

So, I leave you all w/ this question to ponder over. Where have you been or plan to be going to get you to your level of success?

The Mind is...?

The mind is a terrible thing to waste, which I am sure we've all heard and said before. However, as I sit here on this beautiful morning not in one of my better mood's for reasons I'm still trying to decipher through. I've come up w/ the conclusion which is justified through my spiritual development that your mind is the battlefield.

Now, I have no real reason(s) to complain about much in life because I'm blessed to be in good health and to have a family that loves and cares for me among other things I'm proud of experiencing and having. ... and not to mention that I'm filled w/ more than enough faith that everything will pan out in the long run (you can say, I got this way based off the simple fact of what I've experienced and have endured in the past few years of my life), but it's those days and/or times where you're like this "process" is wearing on you ... and I guess today, along with the past week and some change - it's starting to take it's toll on me.

Some may think I'm talking in circles, but for those who know me know I have a very analytical mind and perspective on pretty much everything in life. I call this my gift and curse!

Therefore, the question I'm posing to you all! How do you make sense of it all (e.g. life, trails & tribulations) along with how and where do you start the process of seeing your journey through? What mechanism(s) do you use for days of discomfort and uneasiness?