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Janet Morrison's Community Dialogue

  • Learning from Precious


    Have you seen the movie Precious? If not, it's a must-see. But not just for a night out. Precious exists to pique our conscious. Read the book as well. The movie stays pretty true to the book, but the book provides even more insight.[...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 7:59am EST
  • Teen U: Helping teens realize their dreams


    One of my biggest pet peeves these days is listening to adults talking about inner-city youth say, "We've got to teach these kids to value education."
    Newsflash: Kids value education. They simply don't have the opportunities to get a good education from many of our schools...and [...]
    Posted: November 22, 2009, 8:43pm EST
  • What's in your community?

    I forget how easy it is to do a good deed. And I forget how meaningful those good deeds can be.
    Last night we had our monthly Parent Academy. Soup and sandwiches are provided through an organization that comes each week. We try to over-estimate our numbers so that we [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 5:17pm EST
  • Volunteer Spotlight: Susie Marshall


    I often get random requests from people wanting to volunteer with our education programs. Usually the requests are very specific. They want to come on a certain day (usually a weekend or an evening after we're closed) and during a certain time frame. Oftentimes, they' [...]
    Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:29am EST
  • Dr. Iesha



    For the last two weeks I've been going to physical therapy to rehab my knee.
    I'm a big believer in exposing kids to new opportunities and careers. So as I left therapy the first day, I asked my physical therapist if he would mind [...]
    Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:37pm EST
  • Great things at the ASA

    My staff constantly tells me little snippits of great things that are happening in our Teen U, Library, Digital Connectors, and After-School Academy. I constantly tell them, "Write it down!" But, when in the midst of it, it's a whole lot easier to tell someone than to take the time' [...]
    Posted: November 13, 2009, 9:08am EST
  • Exploiting poor people's desire to learn

    As I was walking out of my office the other day, a friend of mine in the housing development where I work approached me with a big smile on her face. "I'm so glad I caught you! I wanted to give you my graduation announcement!"

    Being the educator I' [...]
    Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:51am EST
  • Justice of the Peace refuses to marry interracial couple...now resigns

    It's the year 2009. Barack Obama, a bi-racial man, has been elected President of the United States of America. As we look back through our history, we can see the events that led up to him becoming president.

    School segregation was outlawed in 1954. Some cities (like Dallas) didn't [...]
    Posted: November 05, 2009, 9:33am EST
  • When will we understand that blackface is *not* acceptable??


    Remember that Post-racial America series I did here, here, and here? Well, here's another to add to it.

    Deadspin.com reports that a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader dressed up in blackface as Lil' Wayne for Halloween. Though I believe Deadspin was reporting [...]
    Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:27am EST
  • My friends deserve the Public Option

    I mentioned in a previous post that I was trying to rehab a knee injury. Little did I know it was a torn ACL.

    I had surgery. Even with insurance it has been a pretty expensive process. But I am blessed to have a cousin who took on [...]
    Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:49am EST
  • Creating a Single Story

    I often wonder why terrorists who fly planes through the Twin Towers cause us to hate and become skeptical of Muslims, but why two White men in the Oklahoma City bombing become two anti-government individuals that have never defined White America.

    Listen to Chimamanda Adichie(below) as she describes what [...]
    Posted: November 01, 2009, 11:23am EST
  • Walk in someone else's shoes

    After having knee surgery on Friday, I was unsure whether or not I would be able to make it to the Steve Martin concert at the Meyerson on Tuesday night. As the day grew closer, I began to regret not purchasing tickets. I grew up on bluegrass and [...]

    Posted: October 29, 2009, 5:39pm EDT
  • Dallas South News' Junior Reporters in training

    Dallas South News' founder, Shawn Williams, conducts a Junior Reporter class at our After-School Academy every Thursday. He's working toward getting them to the point of being able to post articles on the Dallas South News website.

    Last Thursday I met up with Randy after he won the [...]
    Posted: October 20, 2009, 7:07am EDT
  • Best Boss's Day ever!!

    KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

    The loud rap on my office door startled me.

    I was closed off from the world, working hard to get several things done and was so engrossed that I didn't expect the knock.

    Once I reached the door, though, no one was there. Instead,' [...]
    Posted: October 18, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
  • Junie B. Jones, meet your counterpart


    Friday afternoon, I ventured down to the After-School Academy to say hi. As I walked in the door, Hayzul jumped up, waving her arms in uncontainable excitement...then composed herself as she realized she needed to greet me first.

    She composed herself long enough to [...]
    Posted: October 17, 2009, 9:26am EDT
  • Get out of your suits and come help!

    I was unable to attend the Jim Wallis luncheon event last week. But I was told that Brittany, a college student who grew up in the Roseland TownHomes, had some well-spoken, but fairly harsh words for the people in the audience. "You need to get out of your suits and" [...]
    Posted: October 11, 2009, 5:43pm EDT
  • Education and focus through the community garden

    As I sat in my office trying to produce outcomes and documents, my phone rang. From the other end of the building, Danielle asked, "Are you going to come see the garden?" and then strongly encouraged, "You really need to see this garden!" I grabbed the camera and quickly went [...]
    Posted: October 10, 2009, 9:47am EDT
  • What do you want to do before you die?

    Wow...powerful stuff. See Shawn Williams' write-up here. Then watch the video:

    ' [...]
    Posted: September 30, 2009, 5:09pm EDT
  • Bringing books to our urban community

    Katrina Hobbs has been dynamic since she was five years old. She was probably dynamic before then, but I didn't know her before then.

    When Katrina was little, she and her sister, Lewanna, attended our summer Kids Kamp program. While other kids just showed' [...]
    Posted: September 28, 2009, 11:10am EDT
  • Digital Connectors...the wave of the future

    I keep telling people that every day I become more and more impressed with the 20-something age group. They are innovative critical thinkers who know and utilize technology and want to change the world. And so many of them are on the path to do just that!


    [...]
    Posted: September 27, 2009, 10:28am EDT
  • Providing college-focused programs in the inner city

    When we began talking about starting educational programming for teens, I was aware of the stories that getting teenagers to come could be challenging. But I also know that so many of our teenagers are eager to go to college and simply don't have the knowledge of how to be' [...]
    Posted: September 26, 2009, 10:10pm EDT
  • Opportunity is underestimated

    The Roseland Library/Bookstore was a buzz of activity when I entered. Ms. Anna's class from the After-School Academy was there for their KidzLit reading class. They had finished reading the book and doing their activities and were all browsing the library.

    I noticed a' [...]
    Posted: September 25, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  • After school programs matter

    A lot has been happening in Roseland Townhomes this year. At the beginning of the summer, we began working to make the Community Center, Education programs, kids and adult programs, Central Dallas services, and church seamless. Our efforts are working!

    [...]
    Posted: September 22, 2009, 9:03am EDT
  • Make the f-stop sharpen the bright spots

    I often get frustrated and discouraged by the way we have to report data in order to receive funding. The images we must present is that our community is desolate and desperately needs someone's help in terms of money, resources, or man power. Though there' [...]
    Posted: September 20, 2009, 9:40am EDT
  • Creating connections...role reversal


    To give our college students extra moral support, I used to go visit each of them at their respective colleges each year.

    Unfortunately, my workload has increased at the same rate as the number of college students, it seems. So, it's been harder to' [...]
    Posted: September 09, 2009, 7:05am EDT
  • Discovering meaning in the health insurance debate

    A few weeks ago I injured my knee while working out. I really enjoy working out so the injury has really frustrated me. While it's healing, I've had to slow down my workout and find alternative ways of exercising.

    As I swam laps in my friends pool, I allowed [...]
    Posted: September 07, 2009, 5:59am EDT
  • Who are mission trips for?

    Bob Lupton does amazing urban ministry in Atlanta. He has a way of saying things I want to say, but he seems to always add a little twist that creates a profound challenge to my thinking.

    Honorable Marketing
    August 2009

    Cheerios just got a black eye. For as [...]
    Posted: September 02, 2009, 9:59pm EDT
  • Tyler Sharp photography

    I love photography. I love looking at shots that have personality and perspective.

    I was fascinated when I began talking to Tyler about his travels to Africa and listening to his stories of being nearly face to face with the animals...sometimes not in the most friendly of circumstances.
    [...]
    Posted: August 28, 2009, 10:22am EDT
  • Should moving out of public housing be the goal??

    We've implemented a new strategy at our Roseland location. It's actually very exciting. As Central Dallas has grown, we have noticed new gaps in the system and things have been done to close those gaps...law firm, health clinic, health classes, jobs programs, technology center, housing for homeless, etc.

    But [...]
    Posted: August 25, 2009, 8:53am EDT
  • Roseland back-to-school (32 photos), by Janet Morrison


    Friday was our back-to-school event at Roseland. Lots of smiles, face-painting, jump houses, praise dancing, miming, and food. [...]
    Posted: August 24, 2009, 2:16pm EDT
  • Is God the cause of injustice?

    Ever since I read Pedagogy of the Oppressed Pedagogy of the Oppressed several years ago, I have been a Paulo Freire fan.

    I recently started reading Pedagogy of Hope. It's a heavy read, but there are little nuggets throughout that make it totally worth reading.

    Freire [...]
    Posted: August 11, 2009, 11:06pm EDT
  • The complexities of moving to a post-racial society

    I received a tweet from my friend, Shawn Williams at Dallas South.

    This is an interesting addition to the story:

    911 call about break-in at Professor Gates' home

    Puts another twist on the story...and about our (society's) initial assumptions. Moving to a post-racial society is [...]
    Posted: July 27, 2009, 1:14pm EDT
  • Gates, Crowley, and President Obama's comment















    I am not going to commit to a position on the Henry Louis Gates incident this week. My feelings on it are complicated and complex.

    When I first heard [...]
    Posted: July 26, 2009, 11:06am EDT
  • Follow @childfund

    Check out this blog: Follow Childfund on Twitter

    Not much time left to help out.

    ChildFund International just rebranded from the Christian Children’s Fund last week as an effort to demonstrate a singular commitment to children’s welfare today and tomorrow (image: Faith Smiling by ChildFund, NZ). [...]
    Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
  • College Student Game Night


    I love this picture!

    Though this is not near all of the college students, these are a few of the young adults who have gone on to college...some who will be completing soon.

    All of the people in this picture grew up in [...]
    Posted: July 20, 2009, 8:25am EDT
  • It's the little things in life

    Each Valentine's Day our After-School Academy makes super-sized rice krispy hearts and sells them as a fundraiser. We put fruity pebbles in them to make them colorful and extra tasty. My high school used to do the same thing and I always remember being so excited when someone chose to [...]
    Posted: July 19, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
  • Exposing kids at a young age


    Every time I interact with kids, I realize how much they absorb when we least expect it. Some of the kids who are now young adults will mention something to me that I said or we did together that I either don't recall or didn't [...]
    Posted: July 17, 2009, 8:11am EDT
  • The nice White lady

    Because I am White, I am sobered and always a little disturbed by videos like this one:



    Though I chuckle in disdain at how we always elevate "the White lady" in heroic ways, I also feel the video is somewhat unfair. There *are* white ladies who do [...]
    Posted: July 15, 2009, 9:10am EDT
  • The Ripple Effect of Setting High Expectations

    One day last week I received about 10 emails in my in box begging people to employ 14-15 year old teenagers. The teenagers are employed through Texas WorkSource so there is absolutely no cost to the organization. They only have to be supervised and given work. Yet, WorkSource is having [...]
    Posted: July 13, 2009, 8:35am EDT
  • Including ALL of our history

    Some things are just hard to believe.

    I received a tweet from EIFdotorg the other day saying, "TX Conservatives seek to remove a woman, a Hispanic, and a Black man from Social Studies curriculum," and then referenced this article: Conservatives seek to shift focus of state social [...]
    Posted: July 11, 2009, 7:44am EDT
  • Storytime Campout

    As I came into the office today, I noticed that the After-School Academy window that is usually brightly lit up like this:



    was very dark, as if no one was there. Though there were no lights, it seemed darker than usual.

    Perplexed...and, [...]
    Posted: July 07, 2009, 10:50am EDT
  • Tough Choices

    Yesterday, I was faced with a dilemma that, sadly, I know is not unique.

    One of the parents of four kids in our summer program has not been sending her kids. Since we are an educational program, we feel it's important for the kids to be in attendance each [...]
    Posted: June 25, 2009, 10:00pm EDT
  • Spotlight: Gary Van

    I always tell people Gary Van is my heart. I have known him since I moved to Dallas. He was 11 years old and shy when I met him.

    The shyness didn't last long. As soon as he entered junior high, girls became his big past time. He became' [...]
    Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:02pm EDT
  • When did we get tired of our children?

    As I believe I have mentioned before, my dad is the Presiding County Commissioner in my home town. As I believe I've also mentioned, my dad taught me some of the greatest lessons I've learned...and very few of them were strictly academic.

    Today, when I called him to wish [...]
    Posted: June 21, 2009, 3:29pm EDT
  • University of Values--Getting started









    We started small. Thirteen of our nineteen kids showed up on the first day. The small group allowed the teachers to spend time getting to know [...]
    Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:59pm EDT
  • Education through Exploration

    Resources...they're what our kids need to prepare in life.

    I had access to resources growing up. One of my friends reminds me that my "resources" are a direct result of my White privilege. She's right. So many kids don't have the same access I did. But it's not *just* [...]
    Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:33am EDT
  • The cost of poverty

    I've always wondered why someone like Michael Jordan could walk into a restaurant and get a free meal, but someone who is homeless would be required and demanded to pay full price.

    There is nothing easy about being poor.

    Being poor takes extra money. Being poor takes extra' [...]
    Posted: June 14, 2009, 7:52am EDT
  • Loving Day


    Ever heard of Loving v. Virginia (1967)?

    Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving grew up in Caroline County, Virginia. In 1958, they decided to get married. One slight problem. Mildred was Black and Richard was White. State law forbid their marriage, so they went to Washington, [...]
    Posted: June 03, 2009, 8:03am EDT
  • From symphony to brass band jazz

    The last few days have been filled with music.

    On Friday, we ended our After-School Academy with a fun, interactive performance with the Inner City All Stars jazz band.

    Thanks to the City of Dallas's Office of Cultural Affairs, we were able to bring this group to the' [...]
    Posted: May 27, 2009, 6:03pm EDT
  • Making music

    I know it can be frustrating being a teacher, but what an amazing profession!

    Teachers have such an opportunity to impact children and completely change their perspective on life. It was obvious that the three orchestra/band teachers at Lang have done just that with quite a large group [...]
    Posted: May 26, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
  • Happy 50 years!


    This weekend I got to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. Just about a year ago, we celebrated my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. In this day, both of those are truly significant milestones.

    It was great being with my family. This weekend [...]
    Posted: May 25, 2009, 1:16pm EDT
  • We need more Carla Rangers!



    I recently met Carla Ranger, a Dallas school board member, at a function held at the African-American museum for the annual Children's Book Fair. I introduced myself and briefly told her what I do with kids and teenagers. Though we were whispering off to' [...]
    Posted: May 20, 2009, 7:34am EDT
  • Reversing environmental decline

    I try to be conscious of the environment.

    I wouldn't say I'm completely green. When I want to fight mosquitos in my back yard, I go to the products I know...which usually aren't necessarily environmentally healthy. When I purchase hair care products, I buy what I like and what' [...]
    Posted: May 18, 2009, 8:22am EDT
  • Free to be Me

    Valuing people.

    I think that's very important. Each of us have our quirks, our idiosyncrosies, our faults.

    "...gotta couple dents in my fender...gotta couple rips in my jeans...tryin' to fit the pieces together, but perfection is my enemy...on my own I'm so clumsy...but on Your shoulders I'" [...]
    Posted: May 16, 2009, 4:27pm EDT
  • Because of the joy

    A couple of weeks ago I was pondering the meaning of life. It wasn't a thoughtless question. I really wanted to know.

    As I watched Grey's Anatomy tonight, I had an a-ha moment. (yes, strange way to find the meaning of life)

    There was one point in the [...]
    Posted: May 14, 2009, 10:41pm EDT
  • Recognizing the presence of adult illiteracy

    Adult illiteracy plagues our society, yet it is a problem that we are often unaware that exists. Each year I meet or hear about a handful of adults who cannot read, many of whom have graduated from high school.

    The adults I know learn to function. Some may find [...]
    Posted: May 11, 2009, 11:09am EDT
  • Class Matters

    If you have never been to the Central Dallas Ministries' Urban Engagement Book Club, you really should try it. Every month Randy Mayeux discusses a book that focuses on a social justice issue that challenges us to think of our society differently. There's no need to read the [...]
    Posted: May 07, 2009, 2:47pm EDT
  • Dreaming of a healthy community

    What does it take to make a community healthy?

    Why are inner city neighborhoods run-down and crime-ridden?

    Who are the people in those neighborhoods and how are they affected?

    So often, businesses, non-profits, people of faith, and others come into our neighborhood to try to "help," but [...]
    Posted: May 06, 2009, 8:16am EDT
  • Where should I enroll my child?


    An article in the New York Times finds that the gap between urban and suburban graduations rates is astounding.
    "...the average high school graduation rate in the nation’s 50 largest cities was 53 percent, compared with 71 percent in the suburbs."
    So, if you [...]
    Posted: April 25, 2009, 10:00am EDT
  • New approach to college orientation

    Sometimes I come across things that seem so common sensical, I wonder why we never thought of it before. Mount Holyoke College's new, unique approach to freshman orientation is one.

    As some colleges do, Mount Holyoke offers a special orientation program (purely voluntary) to new minority students that' [...]
    Posted: April 20, 2009, 7:14am EDT
  • Would you like some knowledge with that diploma?


    A friend was telling me about a professor at a top-notch college who gives every one of his students an "A".

    I cringed.

    Another professor letting students slide. Ugh.

    But then she went on to explain. He gives everyone an "A" in [...]
    Posted: April 18, 2009, 8:00am EDT
  • Rappin' biology

    You may have teenagers who may be struggling to learn all of the stuff in biology. I know I was one of them! Check out the video below. Pass it along to your kids. Who knows...it may either help them remember something they needed to know...or inspire them to create [...]
    Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:54pm EDT
  • Testing my first mobile blog ...

    Testing my first mobile blog post. [...]
    Posted: April 15, 2009, 2:53pm EDT
  • Fighting for "the least of these"


    President Obama is tackling quite a few issues right now. Add Pell Grants and financial aid for college students to his list.

    The private loan industry, as we have seen in recent months, has benefited quite a bit by loaning people money and charging [...]
    Posted: April 14, 2009, 9:42am EDT
  • Looking toward the future of our children

    First of all...sorry for being absent! I went on vacation and didn't realize how little internet access I would have. That being said, I'm going to try to get back on the bandwagon again! :)

    ------------------------------------------------

    I'm a big advocate of what technology can do for us and' [...]
    Posted: April 12, 2009, 7:26pm EDT
  • Making their own decisions

    Ms. Anna Hill lives is the Dolphin Heights community down the street from my house. She is the president of her Neighborhood Association. What I like about Ms. Hill is that she holds to her standards. She doesn't compromise them based on how much money a group or individual wants' [...]
    Posted: April 06, 2009, 2:44pm EDT
  • the

    Posted: April 06, 2009, 2:25pm EDT
  • Acknowledging the work of César Chávez

    It's not hard to figure out that we value the things that we know and are most familiar with. Unfortunately, it has not been until fairly recently that the contributions of people of color have been deemed important.

    In 2009 we still live in a segregated society. Sometimes we' [...]
    Posted: April 02, 2009, 6:28am EDT
  • Making education possible

    President Obama has continued to talk about and focus on education, despite his critics who say he should focus solely on the economy. I am glad that President Obama sees a much larger and further reaching picture than today's immediate needs. As a result, President Obama has pushed for expansion' [...]
    Posted: April 01, 2009, 12:27am EDT
  • On the cusp of greatness

    In my mind, our nation and our world is at a definining moment. To this point, we have defined ourselves as individual countries within continents. We are are pitted with some and allied with others. We have decided who our friends and enemies are based on a few people within [...]
    Posted: March 31, 2009, 7:57am EDT
  • Education is Freedom

    I believe that all kids should strive to attain a college education. This belief has often been met with criticism by some who tell me, "Not all kids are college material." I know that there are some who have intellectual capacities that aren't conducive to college. But I think there' [...]
    Posted: March 30, 2009, 11:09am EDT
  • Where are we headed?

    Technology is moving at light speed. We MUST provide ALL children with the opportunities to interact with current technology and give them the opportunity to explore new possibilities. Most of the public schools I know provide "technology" by "allowing" a child to practice their standardized test on the computer...or take [...]
    Posted: March 29, 2009, 8:33am EDT
  • DREAM Act Reintroduced!


    For more information on the DREAM Act and the individuals this act will affect, click here.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dear DREAM Advocate,

    It is with great delight that we inform you that the DREAM Act has been re-introduced in the US House [...]
    Posted: March 27, 2009, 6:38am EDT
  • Teacher inspires student

    What, exactly, is "special ed"? When I was growing up, we had a "LD" (learning disabled) class. But I only remember it being for the severely physically and mentally challenged. Today it seems that children are labeled special ed for behavior problems, refusal to learn, "emotionally disturbed," and everything else. [...]
    Posted: March 26, 2009, 8:22am EDT
  • Changing education for our future

    I understand that basic skills--reading, writing, and math--are a necessity. But I also believe that our world is rapidly changing and we need to adjust our education system accordingly.

    When I was growing up, it was a big thing for everyone to have a set of encyclopedias. I loved [...]
    Posted: March 25, 2009, 8:17am EDT
  • Cutting education to better our country

    I'm sitting on my couch, reading this article in USA Today and my head is beginning to hurt. My brow is furrowed and I can't seem to make my face relax. I'm confused...befuddled...frustrated.

    But as I began to write and think about..."How can a super-power country made up'" [...]
    Posted: March 24, 2009, 9:14am EDT
  • Paying poor kids to improve

    Washington D.C. has a program that offers cash incentives to kids who "go to class, get good grades, and behave."

    It is a system that Roland Fryer, who grew up poor and became an "assistant professor of economics at Harvard before he was 30," created. Fryer believes [...]
    Posted: March 23, 2009, 7:45am EDT
  • Promising college

    In San Francisco, there is a new promise for middle school students, "Qualify for college and you'll have a reserved seat as well as financial aid when you get there."

    Despite the current economic crises, three middle schools are promising students who "sign the 'Save Me a Spot" [...]
    Posted: March 22, 2009, 6:58am EDT
  • Encouraging fighting to solve problems

    As I read the report about South Oak Cliff (SOC) high school using cage fighting to solve problems, I was troubled for more than the obvious reasons.

    Evidently, "documents obtained by The Dallas Morning News show that troubled students were sent to duke it out – with bare" [...]
    Posted: March 21, 2009, 6:47am EDT
  • Public schools and successful students

    Several years ago I had an 11th grade student proudly bring his research paper to me with 100/100/100/80 written across the title page. There were no other marks on his entire paper.

    As I looked at the 5-page research paper (including the title page), I saw incomplete sentences, capitalized [...]
    Posted: March 18, 2009, 8:32am EDT
  • Maybe it's better not to know...

    My friend, Karen Shafer, has a very intimate knowledge of what goes on with the homeless population in Dallas. Some people tell me they have a passion for a certain issue. Karen is so much more than that. She knows people who are homeless and she speaks out about unjust [...]
    Posted: March 17, 2009, 6:06am EDT
  • Anti-boredom campaign

    Bored? Try this:

    [...]
    Posted: March 16, 2009, 5:10am EDT
  • So goes the nation

    I saw this on the news:

    .msnbcLinks {font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 425px;} .msnbcLinks a {text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px;} .msnbcLinks a:link, .msnbcLinks a:visited {color: #5799db !important;} .msnbcLinks a:hover, .msnbcLinks a:active {color:#CC0000 !important;}
    [...]
    Posted: March 15, 2009, 5:13am EDT
  • Two roads diverged in a wood...

    Curiosity and a deep desire to learn, despite the bravado. That's what I see in some of our toughest kids.

    "This After-School Academy is stupid!!" is what I heard from one of the kids (I'll call him Donovan) as he tried to refuse to walk in to the African [...]
    Posted: March 14, 2009, 5:57am EDT
  • Obama's message on education

    I know I've listened to presidential speeches about education before, but President Obama just seems to "get it." I truly appreciates the way he is looking at our future...and that he is focusing on our future in the midst of the economic crisis. I believe President Obama understands that none' [...]
    Posted: March 13, 2009, 6:32am EDT
  • The Ant and the Grasshopper


    One of the classic Aesop's Fables is the Ant and the Grasshopper. In this fable, the ant worked extremely hard storing up food for the winter while the grasshopper encouraged the ant to slow down and relax with him. By winter, the ant had' [...]
    Posted: March 12, 2009, 5:42am EDT
  • The musical road

    Innovation...creativity...ingenuity...

    That's what I hope we inspire and equip kids to have in the After-School Academy. I hope that is combined with a good education from the school end. Then, one day, it will be a few kids from the After-School Academy getting together to come up with an' [...]
    Posted: March 11, 2009, 5:02am EDT
  • I'm the mom!

    This made me laugh...



    I really thought I was the only one that said all of these things! [...]
    Posted: March 10, 2009, 5:55am EDT
  • Renaming "No Child Left Behind"

    If you go to the Eduwonk blog, you can get a good laugh at some of the names people have thought of to rename No Child Left Behind and change the era of leaving children behind.

    Here are some of my favorites:

    Double Back Around To Pick [...]
    Posted: March 09, 2009, 6:13am EDT
  • The Animal Odd Couple

    Overcoming our vast differences and accepting each other for who we are. Just something to think about...



    "If they can do it, what's our excuse?"' [...]
    Posted: March 08, 2009, 5:39am EDT
  • Let's change the way we think of education

    A "groundbreaking" survey out of Toronto claims that race and poverty matter as early as grade 3. I'm not sure what's so earth shattering about that, but at least maybe it will shake some people into reality. Though the survey was done in Canada, I expect the groundbreaking results [...]
    Posted: March 07, 2009, 7:41am EST
  • Don't beg

    I hate when people ask for money. I never know how to respond. It bothers me that people will walk around asking random people for money. It bothers me on many different levels. Where are their family and friends? If I needed money, I wouldn’t wander around asking strangers for [...]
    Posted: March 06, 2009, 5:28am EST
  • Lowering the bar doesn't make our kids smarter

    I didn't ever think about this, but since every state has their own standardized test (Texas has the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills--TAKS, Missouri has Missouri Assessment Program--MAP, etc.). So, although the states have "standardized" tests, it doesn't mean that we are accurately measuring students' skills equally. And, evidently,' [...]
    Posted: March 05, 2009, 6:08am EST
  • Have we lost our minds?!

    Florida is thinking about changing their public schools to a 4-day week. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the school district is financially strapped and is looking for cost-cutting alternatives.

    What in the world are we thinking???

    Rearrange city services...cut legislator's pay...let the banks fail...arrange for bartering systems' [...]
    Posted: March 04, 2009, 5:26am EST
  • Post-racial America

    Unfortunately, my "Post-Racial America" series seems to be taking over my blog.

    This image was spotted in a Barnes and Noble in Coral Gables, Florida.

    After researching the incident...

    The good thing is the Barnes and Noble store nor it's employees were' [...]
    Posted: March 03, 2009, 6:21am EST
  • Post-racial America

    One after another, I keep seeing or hearing about things that make my jaw drop in complete disbelief. As we talk about this new era of post-racial America, I think we should be aware of the things that are happening that suggest we are not yet in an era of [...]
    Posted: March 02, 2009, 10:11am EST
  • Post-racial America

    November 5, 2008 was such an amazing day. It was on that day we became "Post-racial America."

    I'm so proud of our country and so proud to know that we are no longer a country burdened by race issues. We have truly had a rocky past 200 years. Slavery' [...]
    Posted: March 01, 2009, 6:10am EST
  • College bound or Vocational Education?

    Why is there a distinction between college-bound and technical school students?

    Whether someone is fixing my car or operating on my heart, I would like to know that both of them have the critical thinking, literacy, and problem-solving skills to handle the situation effectively.

    We are brought up [...]
    Posted: February 28, 2009, 6:32am EST
  • Accessible Administrators


    Speaking *to* parents is a job. Speaking *with* parents is a talent.

    I, along with two other parents from our After-School Academy, attended the Dallas Achieves meeting at North Dallas High School. I suppose the meeting was meant to inform. As the meeting started, [...]
    Posted: February 27, 2009, 6:17am EST
  • Dallas Mayor Looks at Taking Over ...

    Dallas Mayor Looks at Taking Over DISD

    As the news broke that Mayor Tom Leppert was considering a take-over of the Dallas Independent School District, emotions start rising.

    When asked for a comment, all Mr. Leppert would say was, "The statement speaks for itself. I'm sticking with'" [...]
    Posted: February 26, 2009, 4:59am EST

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