Teachers are not OK and my plate is full!

Let me begin by saying, this school year has done a number on me. I moved from my hometown to the capitol of Texas. That alone was a task, because I moved during the pandemic and after being unemployed for 14 months.

As if my plate wasn't full enough, then my state leaders wanted to attack librarians for having books that discussed the truth in American history--(sidenote: The removing of books and news related to racism, unprovoked violence, and the plight of Black and Brown Americans by willfully ignorant folks...THIS is how 90% of the nation didn't know about the burning of Tulsa, OK (Greenwood)--which, without a shadow of the doubt, had my stress levels on high because any person of color knows: "we are the last to be hired and the first to be fired."

As if my plate wasn't full enough, the powers that be determined inflation was the way to go, after a global shellshock of a pandemic. Rent went from $1800 to $2250 while my salary went from $61k down to $53k. I bring the same 20 yrs experience, but such a huge discrepancy from Houston suburb to Austin suburb. My oldest had to drop out of school just to help me make ends meet, which sets his education behind...systemic burdens.

As if my plate wasn't full enough, the year ended with the 2nd worst of BANGS: The Uvalde Shooting. The unspeakable horror, just a few hours away...just like the Santa Fe shooting was 20 minutes from my house when I lived in Houston...just like the horror that flooded my soul when I heard gun shots at my own school while standing in the cafeteria, after a young man decided death was his best option during an arrest.

As if my plate wasn't full enough, I started fainting in May for no apparent reason, aside from stress...which last I checked is a killer. THAT is the 1st worst of BANGS. My heart is supposedly fine, gratefully, but I've reached a point of infraction as an educator too soon again: it's taking a toll on my health...and quite honestly, our medical professions is plagued with racism too. Can I trust my doctors to diagnose me effectively, while I surrender to the "maybe it's this" elimination game?

For those of you that follow my blog, you know I've battled every bit of discrimination, racism, sexism...you name it. The double-down on my fears of workplace violence resurfaced yet again. I'm not okay. Every last educator is not okay. I won't be armed in class. I am a responsible gun owner that believes the school-house isn't the shooting-range...plus, I don't want my Black body to be holding a gun during a school shooting for an officer to fear for his/her life and shoot me. I want to be paid a living wage, plus the 20 yrs I bring to the table in experience. I want to inspire kids. I want to be unburdened.
Thank you, PBS Newshour, for allowing a small bit of release in the pressure-cooker that is public education. Take a look y'all and advocate for true change...while I recover and clean my plate this summer.



P.S. I made my birthday this month. It's significant because last month, all my loved ones were concerned that I wouldn't see it. Asé.

May the 4th be with you!

As if my last post wasn't enough...

Aaaah! The FORCE is strong with us!

 

First, for those kiddos watching this blog like a hawk...

Yeah, I still support my Star Wars addiction...I just gotta keep it professional 95% of the time...but rest assured, I will be decked out in my best gear on May 4th, forcing choking folks working my nerves in my mind until the Jedi Counsel decides to initiate me with my purple lightsaber so I can continue the cause of the rebellion!

Happy Library, Humor & Poetry Month!

Between April Fool's Day, Librarian's Day, Earth Day, etc. I truly believe this month is full of revival and revelations! Here's the newsletter for this celebratory month! Enjoy!

 

My Haiku Diary for April 1, 2022

 
"Break Fast Me Not" 

Sun rays blinded me. 

My belly grumbles loudly. 

Pancakes, eggs and juice.

How Librarians Select Books?

My, my, my it appears history is a revolving door, as it relates to book bans based on discrimination and prejudices. Therefore, let's breakdown exactly how library books are selected so that instances like the following can fade to black:

Access article here.

Access article here.

There are links to the articles for you to form your own opinion. But until those involved obtain a masters degree with hundreds of hours in the classroom and an exam completion rate of 80% or higher, please stay away from what you're not qualified to do. Entitlement to opinon is one thing, but taking away intellect for my kids, which is ALL kids regardless of socioeconomic, sexual or gender statuses...that's library treason, i.e. CENSORSHIP. We ain't having it. The "out of place" vernacular is intentional.

 
And before you ask, some librarians are more than qualified to choose books for students. Not only do we have the literal degrees, but librarians like myself, went a step further: reading literally more than a thousand books in a year's time in order to select the BEST BOOK to represent the nation. I served on the 2020 Caldecott Book Award Jury:

This lesson gives the background knowledge for students to obtain true learning experience on how books are chosen for the library. It also actively responds to the writing prompt: Write a proposal in which you argue which book would be most effective for a school-wide book club. In your proposal, choose an informational or literary text. Use text evidence to help explain how the text you chose is worthy.
Now for the lesson at hand, because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

P.S. Here's a fun fact, politicians DO NOT have to have a degree to become a politician. Just like one wouldn't want a medical doctor operating on them without extensive medical practice and knowledge, one shouldn't have an unqualified person deciding what's appropriate reading for a child's brain. Librarians are not doctors...but we are experts when it comes to literary content, children's literary development and what criteria makes for excellent reading. We deserve some respect on our names. We earned it.

Access article here.

Women Rock! We're simply MAGIC!!

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on Women's month. I won't lie to you, growing up, I was a tomboy. I learned at an early age, men had the power and women served them. I began rocking that mentality immediately...a rebel with a legitimate cause. As a woman, I've enjoyed being such and loathed being such. I hate that women have to work 24/7. I work as the sole-provider of my family. I take off of work, when kids are sick. I work while sick. No work, no money. I grind harder than any man and make more sacrifices than most...just to make 80 cents on the dollar compared to a man, who does less work...has a society that caters to HIS needs...and very rarely has to be in the position to lose pay because he chose his kids over his job....and I'm Black (which is it's own win and woe in today's times). Therefore, the acknowledgement from our President that there must be equity, equality and an END the gender paygap, I felt a little more SEEN and HEARD.

Now, it doesn't erase the 20 yrs of loss pay b/c I ran out of sick days due to birth, surgeries and policies/procedures that I use all my days before using disability insurance I paid for "just in case" a medical setback happens...but he is DOING SOMETHING, which is more than I can say for the male leaders in my state/community...

Closing out BHM 2022

 This month has been back to back celebration of all the excellence Black trailblazers, innovators and Ancestors contributed to our nation. I couldn't be more proud to share snippets of the library's efforts to honor Black History then and now.

In honor of BHM then the library sponsored a Quilting Bee where we worked on patches to add to our "Dessau Unity Quilt" that the wonderful Mrs. Vickie West will compile into a wonderful quilt to display in the library. Here's a video highlighting excerpts from the day!

Because so much of African American's history is riddled with unfortunate hatred and bondage, it was imperative that the BHM now centered on understanding the struggles of those ahead of us who fought the good fight. Therefore, we made a "light-hearted research" activity (light = research w/o a paper) and combined it with art to create a unique twist on our "Family Tree."

This is what happens when you collaborate w/your Art Instructor! We made our own #BHM    family trees. We researched our trailblazers & their contributions. Quick combo of research & art! @PfISDLibraries @DDV1360 @DessauMS #DessauRising #AwakenLibrarian pic.twitter.com/XanbwtmHoT

— AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) February 22, 2022

Another shining example of Black History Now is this riveting truth about our need for "Hoodies." It's the perfect "Post Trayvon Martin" salute and explanation, why #TeamHoodiesUp, is needed for adults, youths and anyone so inclined to adorn themselves with a hoodie:

We gotta talk about hoodies, y’all. This is very vulnerable and it’s a realization I’m coming to about myself. I know I’m not alone. pic.twitter.com/4eAdWDWJg9

— Chanea (shuh-Nay) (@heymrsbond) March 8, 2022

Last but certainly not least, we have to give thanks to those that uplift and inspire us. This month's celebration wouldn't be much without the blood, tears and sacrifice of our Ancestors. Our dance team encompassed that "spirit of fortitude" in a praise dance. Bravo ladies for a job well done!

Our students celebrating the last bit of #BHM2022! Way to go ladies!🙌🏾 @DessauMS @pfisd #DessauRising pic.twitter.com/8991iGLERY

— AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) February 25, 2022

For those that couldn't join our webinar today, stay tuned...it was recorded and I will post a link or embed it as soon as it's available. In the mean time, check out this promotional tweet!

Friendly reminder that today, I will present a collaborative lesson on "Demystifying Black Culture through Children's Picture Books." https://t.co/aAtMijCTq4 Don't forget that the 1st Spider-Woman was a Black Librarian!! @DessauMS @PfISDLibraries #pfisdreads pic.twitter.com/379xyJNpDS

— AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) February 28, 2022

As promised, here's the webinar over "Demystifying Black Culture Through Picture Books!"