Kmberly

Having been involved in different programs in the Troy school district.  One of the things that screams at me in certain cases is not only paqents, faculty, etc. don't actually listen to the child but the child doesn't hear what the child is saying.  It always needs to start from within.  Tapping into that art of the child is challenging and exhilirating when you make contact with real person. I look forward to more. 

 As a former school board member I can tell you that we need to change the way schools are managed.  Students are ready to learn, our teachers are dedicated and qualified but after elementary school, safety and security are the biggest concerns of management.  Learning drops way down the list of priorities.

We know what can work and what changes can be made to increase learning but managers are reluctant to change the 1950 paradigm our HS operate in.  The State does not help either.

In the 1990's Engler stopped a lot of Early Adult education programs that would put at-risk students or non-college bounds into specific job training tracks.  It worked great and we should be doing that again.

Can you imagine if we started to put kids in a nursing track in the 9th grade instead of trying to make them all engineers like our new state curriculum wants?

Or starting school when kids are actually awake instead of training them for the 7:00 am factory shift.

All the Best

Kimberly -  I was the right-brained child (and so is my son) you speak of in your wonderful video. I will contact you offline, but ask here: what can we at MCC do to help you promote your programs and books to the wider educational community?

Make your day magnificent!

-Linda

I love all the feedback I've gotten so far!  Thank you!!  I understand that we can come up with the issues and great ideas too.  It's very political, but you have all inspired me.  You may not realize how healing it is for me to know there are like minds who feel this way and are solution oriented. 

Before I begin with my thoughts, I want to say EMPHATICALLY that I have more admiration for teachers than almost any other profession.  They are in the trenches everyday with so many challenges I cannot name them all.  (And, let it be known that almost EVERY teacher I have spoken to, hates the MEAP as much as most parents.)  The GREAT teachers in the classrooms have also been my teachers over the past 17 years.  I learn so much from them.

Now, here I go . . . I think you are in agreement that the paradigm shift will have to come outside the current system.  All I can do now is what Greg said, create the shift within the child so they can succeed EVEN in the current system (until that changes).  When they learn to view it as a game (sad it has come to that) then they can apply the learning techniques and succeed. 

Many would argue that the problem lies in the parenting of many of these latch key low income or latch key high income children.  I tend to feel a child is ALL of our responsibility, and if basic life skills and basic values are not being taught or modeled in the family, it also our role to step up.  It's a community effort.  I don't believe this means more BURDEN on the schools or teachers.  It simply means changing some curriculum and involving the communities more. (Organizations like the Optimist Clubs in Michigan do just that.)

We know of Helen Keller because Annie Sullivan met her where she was and built on her small improvements both on an educational (learning) level and most importantly on an emotional level.  Would we know of Helen Keller if it weren't for Annie Sullivan?  We have a lot of Helen Keller's, who are EMOTIONALLY damaged, in gangs and in Juvenile Detention Centers and thank GOD we have a lot of Annie Sullivan's, but there are outnumbered greatly to the children who need them. 

Many times I've worked with these kids and they bring me the greatest joy, because when their light goes on it is often surrounded by darkness (their home lives, communities, peer groups).  But once they KNOW the difference and they believe and have experienced unfathomable success-- when they learn how to learn by capitalizing on their strengths--MIRACLES abound and there is no turning back! 

I had a Down Syndrome Holly high school student memorize 19 out of 20 words, in order, in a few minutes.  Almost 200 students went crazy with applause for her!  I've had adjudicated youth all go back to referring schools, violence dissipated, grades went up and attitudes soared.  When people tell me, "Oh, this child is Learning Disabled or a hopeless behavior problem," I become the dog in the cartoon strip, "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH" is all I hear.  I see geniuses in all of them and  it is my job and responsibility to bring that UNIQUE genius out in them, even if I'm only allowed a short time with them.  Sometimes all it takes in one person to believe in them and SHOW them what they are capable of doing instead of focusing on what they cannot do and trying to fix them--like they are broken or something.  My weakness was talking too much (what a surprise--LOL).  I was in trouble for it all the time for it, but now it's one of my greatest strengths.

I could go on forever (and usually do-- LOL) so I will stop now and see what response this receives.  I'd love all your input!  Thank you and may God bless your day!

Hi Kimberly,

I have sooo many things going through my mind right now and it's always like this when I'm talking about youth and their success. I see that the same thing happens for you  It is so refreshing to see that there are people that genuinely care about youth and their education who also remain focused and passionate regardless to how everything around them looks.

I have an organization www.hisagency.org that was designed to address and change many of the issues that you discussed and I would love to talk with you further about possibly partnering to make a greater impact in the state of Michigan. It certainly takes a village and it helps when the village is excited and passionate about "making" change happen and not sitting around waiting for others to do it.  

I look forward to speaking with you soon.

~Derschaun~

I have two children in the Troy School District schools.  First, let me say it's a great school district, and almost every person that works here has been wonderful and committed to the children they are there for.  And both my children have had huge problems as they have been going through the system.  My daughter, who just graduated, hit her sticky patch in her middle school years.  Frankly, what got her through high school was the marching band and art.  She could never have made it with the new graduation requirements.

My son has been more difficult.  He started having problems in 7th grade, and by the time he hit 10th grade last fall, he was "voting with his feet" (not going to school at all).  We put him in the district's alternative high school in January, and it has been transformative for him. 

Both my children are very intelligent (my son is borderline gifted), but the traditional ways of schooling by and large did not match the way they learn - and from everything I read and hear, that is becoming more and more prevalent.  My son would break my heart every day.  He is such a special person, and it was getting buried under boredom, frustration and hopelessness.  Right after he started at the alternative high school, he said to me "Mom, these teachers teach different."  And he's blossomed back into the wonderful young man I knew him to be.

So to go from the personal to the general, I would love to see us as a state and a nation re-look at EVERYTHING about education, from the ground up.  I find it difficult to think of solutions that don't involve changing the system.  I bucked my head against that system for many years, and most solutions seemed to involve me spending a lot of money.

Kimberly and Derschaun, I applaud you for what you are taking on and for the passion, hope and possibility you bring to educating our children.

Linda!

Wonderful to see you today.  I feel a great connection with you.  What a LOVE you are!

You asked how you can help get my message out to more people, so I can help MORE kids.  What do you think about this?  How about a Motor City adopt a kid to attend an EmpowerMind workshop sponsored by Motor City Connect as a giving back the the community (15 minimum--32 maximium).  It would be ALL Motor City Connect families or friends etc.  My contribution will be HALF price for EVERYONE!  Also, I will donate 10% back to Motor City Connect's next community event.  That would be only $150 per person for a two day event.  If that's too complicated, we could make it a ONE day event for $75.  I'd LOVE to do these every week in Oakland and Wayne County and transform thousands of kids lives!  Whatever you think of doing, I'm sure I will LOVE!   It's ALL about community and service!  Let's continue to  grow and live our purpose with joy! 

Much love!

Kimberly

Hi Natalie!

I'm so happy for you and your son!!  I LOVE the Alternative HS.  They tend to teach more to the learning styles and the classes are smaller.  Teachers have it ROUGH these days and my heart goes out to them as well as to our youth.  Most teachers are not given enough tools and techniques to work with a HUGE classroom of children who learn differently.  It's rough!  Once the teachers learn how to teach these techniques to these children and the children learn HOW they learn, the students can take responsibility for their learning and the teachers feel more successful (and less exhausted!).

Thanks so much for your post.  Maybe if we get a special program going for Motorcity Connect members and families, I will meet your son.

Tons of Empathy!

Kimberly

Hi Kim!

It was a joy to see you today, too, and I look forward to much more.

I love your idea of a MCC event and "adopt a kid" concept. We will have to discuss this with Terry and Charlie, but I'd be delighted to assist you in putting it together. We should discuss this in more detail offline from this discussion - I'll be in touch early next week.

Here is the website for The Homework Center. 313-701-6132   http://www.homeworksoln.org I don't know the founder, but saw the listing on http://www.peoplemovers.org   Check it out and get in touch with her!

Have a fabulous fourth!

Big Hugs -

Linda