In February due to budget cuts, my teaching position was reduced.  I am diligently looking for a new   job.  I want to share a letter that one of my students wrote on my behalf.   Her letter reminded me of why I became a teacher.  I was hugely encouraged by her heartfelt words.  I know I will eventually get a job, but this letter inspired me not to give up and to continue to have faith and hope.

I am Selene Figueroa, an 11^th grade student of Mrs. Nicole Weaver. Throughout the course of this year, I have gotten the opportunity to be taught by Mrs. Weaver. She is an extraordinary teacher. She takes an individual interest in each and every one of her students. Even with her busy schedule, teaching more than one language and several levels of each, she still offers to help me and my fellow peers with concepts that we are struggling in while learning a language. For me individually, she has allowed me to get over a health barrier that impeded me from many things  and  still helped me master the language. In one year, she has taught me more French than some of my friends from rival high schools have learned in three of four years of French. Although I am sad to hear that she will no longer be with us next year, I have no doubt in my mind that her legacy will continue where ever she chooses be. She is an incomparable educator and person. Seldom have I seen a teacher be as committed to teaching her students than she. She will make sure that all the students have fully understood a subject matter before she moves on. She incorporates several methods to make sure everyone is included; each class she uses kinesthetic, visual, and audio lessons. As a student, I am glad I got the opportunity to be taught and guided by such an amazing person. I can only hope you will see the qualities this teacher holds and allow her to be part of your faculty, where she will demonstrate to you that she goes above and beyond the school’s expectations.

FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY-MOTHERS

What I like most about my mother is she provided food and shelter for me. Unfortunately, I also have things about my mother I did not like.  A few years ago, I wrote the poem below.   The poem helped me tremendously.  I learned that forgiveness is the best remedy for emotional healing.  I also learned we do not have to let bad situations in our lives define who become.

MOTHER, MOTHER

Mother, mother why have you caused me so much pain?

Why have you made me paid for your mistakes?

You bore me, yet you hate me because I remind you of my father who left you.

Mother, mother you have made me feel unwanted, unloved, unattractive
and unworthy, yet mother I am the very image of you.

Mother, mother how cruel of you to have beaten me and to have robbed me of my dignity.

Mother, mother as a child you ridiculed me in front of people.

Mother, mother you sided against me even when I was right.

Mother, mother I am who I am in spite of what you have done to me.

Mother, mother I will never be like you because I am one who longs to love, nurture and encourage.

Mother, mother you forbade me to develop friendships with girls my own age.  I was a house prisoner, never to understand or appreciate the joy of having a true best friend.

Mother, mother I have forgiven you, yet my heart and soul still shiver with pain and anger whenever I have trouble making friends.  The unfulfilled little girl inside me tends to smother people too much, so people run away from me.

Mother, mother now that I am grown, married and with children, I have chosen to make a difference in their lives.  I will love, hug, kiss, and encourage them.

Mother, mother I have relinquished all the pain you have caused me. I am free to discover my genuine identity; I will soar to new heights.

A healed heart allows me to love all three of my children.  I love being a mom.  I tend to spoil my children.  God continues to heal my heart through my  three children.

THE  JOY  OF MY HEART

I am so blessed that God granted me my heart desire by bringing all three of you into my life. You have made me so very proud, you have showered me with love. You have shown me that being a mother is the greatest calling any woman can have.  I will forever have you in my thoughts, I carry you in my heart always, you are engraved in the deepest part of me. May God continue to watch over you and grant you   every success and a very long life. I love you, and thank you for being the joy of my heart!

I want to thank Ramona for featuring my daughter Michele. My belle Michele is my only daughter and she inspires me to continue to be the best mom I can be. Love you and I am very proud of you.  check Ramona’s site here

Summer 1989, I was on a teacher scholarship in Saint Nazaire France.  The Alliance Française of Houston awarded me an all expense-paid six-weeks trip to study in France with 299 other teachers from all over the world.  I took classes on French literature and culture.   Every day-after class, I sat around talking with like-minded teachers sipping on fine French wine and cheese.   My second week in France, I had major problems staying awake in class. I was always tired no matter how much rest I had   the night before.

I went to see a doctor, and he confirmed that I was indeed pregnant.  My habit of indulging in fine French wine and pastries came to a screeching halt.  I began to make a concerted effort to eat wholesome meals.  I returned to the United States   with my certificate of study and seven months later; my only daughter was born.

I am sharing this account because I believe college readiness begins with a woman eating well during pregnancy.  A pregnant woman who eats well helps her unborn child‘s proper brain development. I believe that is the best gift a mother can give her child.  As much as I wanted to continue to have a good time with the other teachers, I knew I had to put my child’s health first.  Today, I am celebrating that decision because my daughter is now a college graduate.  I hope my story will inspire all women.

Michele 5 days old

Michele, me and her dad

Michele picking up her graduation gown

Michele walking off the stage after getting her college diploma

I want to thank Ramona for hosting Wordless Wednesday.    As my daughter’s final days in college draws near, I am inspired to share her success with the world.   Check out Ramona’s site here:http://www.create-with-joy.com/

The  picture above is  of my daughter Michele, who modeled for The Wish Upon a Star Fashion Show at her university.  All the net proceeds from ticket sales were donated to Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles and Women of Color Organization.  Michele started the Women of Color  her first year at Pepperdine University.  I am so very proud of my daughter’s accomplishment.  This coming Saturday April 28th, she will graduate from Pepperdine with a BA in theater and television production.

Michele also had the opportunity to play a captured Cherokee princess in The Kentucky Cycle.  See pictures below.

Celebrating world book day.  Click on the link below to read about the origin of world book day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Book_and_Copyright_Day 

Yesterday I attended a book signing at my local library.  I met many local authors.  The mayor even showed up  at the book signing. The library also provided lunch for all the authors. 

As February ends, I have pondered upon what the true meaning of Black History month is.  It is a time to celebrate many great things that Blacks have accomplished, but more importantly; it is a time to reflect on the future.

It is not good to rely only on past successes. I believe in keeping things in proper perspective by finding a way to make the future even better.  How does one accomplish that goal?  I have a vision.  My vision is to ask parents to take the time to be involved in the educational life of their children.  We must find a way to make a difference in the life of our youths.  It starts with getting a well-rounded education.

The single best strategy for helping your children succeed is to encourage them to read.  Reading is a skill that’s essential in all areas of achievement.

I believe reading well is a critical component in the development of young minds.  Reading frequently will help a child foster his or her creative thinking, enhance word recognition, improve cognitive skills, and help achieve a greater understanding of people and the world around him/her.

Here are a few simple tips to help your child become a great reader.

• Encourage children to read on their own.  Spending at least 30 minutes a day reading for fun will help a child be a better reader at school.
• Visit the library often. Take your child to the library at least once a week.
• Encourage books for gifts. Instead of spending a fortune on expensive gifts, buy instead books.  Ask family members and friends to give gift cards to bookstores.   Set aside a special date where you and your child can go to the bookstore to buy books.
• Get help for your child if they have a reading problem.  There are many after-school programs through your local library.  You can also ask the librarian for names of community organizations that offer free literacy tutoring.