…i’ve gone back to high school. if you’ve seen “never been kissed”, then you know that drew barrymore’s character (fondly referred to as josie-grosie) goes back to high school on an undercover investigative reporting assignment from her job at a newspaper.

unfortunately, my reason for being back in high school isn’t nearly as secretive as drew barrymore’s. i’m back because (drum roll, please)…i’m a student-teacher. i’ve been at it for almost a week…lesson planning and observing, talking with teachers and students, and getting acclimated to the new environment.

the school that i’m at is in Winder, Georgia. check that out on www.epodunk.com, if you want to know more about the area. from what i’ve seen, there’s not a lot of ethnic/racial diversity, nor diversity of political ideology. winder is a small town, with mostly conservative views. i can’t tell you the number of confederate flags i’ve seen on t-shirt since i’ve been here. despite it’s conservativism, the town scores points with me because it has a golden corral; which is definitely more than i can say about athens.

i’m teaching economics to 11th and 12th graders, who are on the “average” track. at the school, there are average, advanced, and AP tracks. from what i’ve been told from my teachers, the average students are those who MAY go to four-year college, but more than likely, they’ll end up at a technical school, picking up a trade; or maybe at a community college. i’m trying not to let that factor really affect the way that i teach them, but i feel that it’s a constant reminder from the other teachers. i’m definitely one who believes that students can accomplish anything with the right amount of love, respect, and attention. that said, i’ma try and open their eyes up to new things this semester.

additionally, i should add that i haven’t studied econ since the spring semester of my senior year of high school, which was approximately 5 years ago (and as a note, i definitely feel old saying that i was a senior in high school 5 years ago…i have a reunion coming up this year…MAN). part of the process has been reading and re-reading material to make sure that i know it enough to teach it to them.

thus far, it’s been a great experience…but i will say that i am EXHAUSTED. i never knew that teaching could be so physically taxing. add in that i still have classes that i’m taking, which makes for 15-16 hour days sometimes. it’s all good, and i love what i do, but sometimes i wonder if i’m truly cut out for this. supposedly, student-teaching is a make or break point in your career…and i’m not about to let this break me and keep me from my ultimate destiny.

“i know that God won’t give me anything i can’t handle. i just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” ~mother teresa.

i’m right there with you on that one, mother t.

be encouraged, all. peace and blessings…

this post has been a while in the making. i know that black men take a lot of crap from women (just as us black women take a lot of crap from men), but i figured i’d put up a little something to let them know they are appreciated…

A Salute to the Good Black Men…
“Good Black Men are indeed all around us. We pass them on the streets, in the malls, and at work. Most we can’t see because we don’t know what a good man really looks like.

He usually isn’t flashy enough or rich enough to turn our heads. He might not wear a suit or push a Lexus. He might not have a body like Tyson with a Denzel face. But, as you mature, you realize it’s better to find someone who’s got your back rather than someone who turns your head.

A good man doesn’t agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. He doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear and do the opposite. He doesn’t declare how sensitive, sweet, caring, sincere, etc. he is (he won’t have to because it shows). He has his own opinions and yours may clash, but he doesn’t have to degrade you to prove he’s right. He even admits at times to being wrong, especially if you are willing to do the same.

A good man is not going to meet every item on your checklist. He is human with frailties and faults mixed in with all of his wonderful, strong attributes. He needs your love and respect. He needs to feel that you don’t live to catch him doing something wrong so you can declare, “Aha! I knew you were a dog!”

A good man isn’t insecure about his woman having great achievements. In fact, he is her number one supporter and becomes disappointed with her when she begins to lose herself, especially for the sake of not hurting his feelings, or only wanting to make him happy. His happiness comes with seeing her excel in her dreams and accomplishing her goals. For as she excels and is exalted, a good woman will bring her good man right along with her.

A good man doesn’t necessarily give you a huge birthday or Valentine’s gift. He shows his love in the ways that are comfortable to him. Don’t judge him by TV standards. No one is really living a fairy tale. You’ll miss out on your own fairy tale by buying into the myth that our men are no good. It’s just not true.

A good black man is a man of his word. He says what he means and means what he says. His word is his bond. He never leaves you wondering if he is going to call or show up – he is dependable. A good black man has a love and a heart for God. As his relationship and love with and for God grows so will his relationship and love with and for you grow…”

that said…shoutouts to all the good black men in my life that i have been blessed to know! i love y’all!

be blessed, be encouraged, be faithful…