Posts

Zen Den: a calm place for restoration.

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One of the things I promised myself as a librarian was to offer an alternative to "punitive punishments" so many kids endure. We have to escape the "school to prison" mentality. Sometimes that's showing a student mercy, how to ground oneself, and choose a different response to an emotional and/or environmental trigger. I think this blog post on " Revolutionary Mindfulness and Restoration " hits the nail on the head. Whether it's a contemplative practice on social justice like the wonderful leaders over at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and their " Tree of Contemplative Practices... " or something like what I plan to offer my students, kids need a safe, calm space to contemplate outside of academic thinking. Therefore, here's what I will DO: offer the best resource I can... presenting the ZEN DEN!!! Simply put, this is a safe place for every one. Students can reserve/request this space (scan the QR code...

The Boss & Awaken Librarian Team-up Again!

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It's the beginning of another school year! I have the fortunate blessing of working with my literary and spiritual sister, KC Boyd, for the BEST and most ENLIGHTENING professional development any librarian can ask for, hands down!!! The above slides are just the creative and visual graphics of the same titled lesson I wrote for PBS NewsHour . Please click on that link because I worked hard to ensure those primary resources were well researched and representative of two icons that used their platforms to change the world: Mrs. Ida B. Wells and Billie "Lady Day" Holiday!   Art has always been a passion of mine. Whether I'm painting, drawing, playing my cello, cooking, I will always interpret and release what is inside of me or provoking a response. That, in essence, is art in its multitudes of forms. I believe everyone has a bit of artist in them. It can be in a craftmanship like old school blacksmiths, sculpture carving like Michelangelo, or fashionable art li...

NAMLE 2022 Conference

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Hello friends! I'm happy to report that I will be speaking at the wonderful NAMLE 2022 Conference (National Association for Media Literacy Education) this upcoming Sunday, July 17th at 12:30 EST. I'm in the 1st blue column. I will give a more in-depth explanation behind my PBS curriculum content lesson, Using Art as a Response to Racial Injustice ! Stay tuned because there's an interactive video with this presentation that I will post afterwards. Thank you for supporting me as always. Peace be with you. Thank you to Kate Stevens , Andrea DeGetts and Victoria Pasquantonio for including me in this presentation! *The lessons presented in this video are linked to the appropriate presenter. Just click their name above.

Teachers are not OK and my plate is full!

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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...

May the 4th be with you!

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

Aaaah! The FORCE is strong with us!

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  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!

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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.