And just like that Year 6 is done. I was just ranting and venting to my friend about how stressed I am about jumping on a plane tomorrow and heading to Chicago for 4 more weeks of work. Then I get this from one of my students and it has changed my entire outlook. Most days are hard - physically, emotionally, spiritually. But God . . . This will be my spring board for the summer and as I’m ramping up to meet another freshman class of students in the 2019-2020 school year. HERE WE GO . . . #Educator #BlackEducatorsMatter #iTeach #iLead #UrbanEducator #BlackMaleEducator #SigmaEducator https://www.instagram.com/p/By1JXmBBW2k/?igshid=dsechotbgedw

After a CHALLENGING (whooo child) summer teaching ELA to 28 of the finest, failing, and failed DCPCS elementary students, a summer that STRETCHED my resolve to educate and to do so creatively, followed by a sale at my favorite crafts store, I was inspired to make my 9th grade tech classroom a little brighter and more joyful. I’m sooooo excited about my board accessories. It looks excessive, but I have A LOT of boards. Now my classroom decor will match the creativity of my lessons 😁. The last two years home have been an extended lesson in love, creativity, flexibility, discernment, independence, interdependence, loss, gains, focus, faith, and blooming where I’m planted. I’m happy to be blossoming in a career path I recognize as my calling, and to be excited about year two at my job! If you know me, you know that’s HUGE lol. My health is stable and my mama is WELL! And again, if you know me, you know those two things happening at the same time is HUGE. I feel like I’m coming back to, and growing into, myself, and it feels phenomenal. Also, #awkwardmoment it feels weird sharing this under a picture of my classroom supplies, but it’s relevant. I’m happy to share. Special shout to God being ever present, my helpful, forgiving, and loving friends and family, and the man I called my best friend when I was 14 being right by my side at 30. God always knows what he’s doing. #gratefulpost #Godisgood #urbaneducator #lovelovelove #michaelshadahugesale #friendsandfamilymaketheworldgoround https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl80R-ZBr5c0hxL_UrG2OQXBbZulr_TKqPV1To0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=grblf5g0e7tx

#Repost @jubilee___ | Much respect @jubilee___ for the support and love #respect ・・・ Earlier this month I had the honor to meet Dr. Chris Emdin from Columbia University (Creator of #HipHopEd, Author of Urban Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation and For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too) ; Dr. Raphael Travis Jr from Texas State University- San Marcos (Author of The Healing Power of Hip Hop, Creator of FlowStory); Dr. Elliot Gann from the Bay Area (Founder of Today's Future Sound); and Saul Paul from Austin (A Musician With a Message). A great motivation to learn about the impact hip hop is being used in our everyday youth interactions 🙏🏽🎉✊🏽 #ScienceEd #HipHopEd #HipHopCulture #Therapeutic #UrbanEducator #ChicagoYouth #MyCity #STEM #SXSWedu #SXSWedu2017

-Ri