0

Tag: Shantel Hubert

Feb82020

A Measure of Empowerment

Empowerment can be difficult to measure; however, if this is an aim, we can definitely feel when we are heading in the “right” direction. When I refer to heading in the right direction, I’m referring to something that can only be felt intrinsically, a feeling of upliftment.  I asked some of my students how they were able to recognize when they felt empowered and I was surprised to learn that many of them knew the feeling based on recognizing when they didn’t feel empowered. Interestingly enough, similar to my students, one of the most empowering songs I’ve had the pleasure of hearing and singing, “I Will Survive,” by Freddie Perren and Deno Fekaris, lyrically expresses the language of recognizing how an individual can journey from an empowered state by first recognizing the weakened state. Ultimately, having the ability to recognize when one is not empowered, is an internal measurement of gauging when one requires uplifting.

Gloria Gaynor, famed vocalist of Perren and Fekaris’ tune, shares “at first I was afraid I was petrified…”. Like my students, she shared how she recognized that she was no longer experiencing the world from her highest/positive self.  She was living in a state of vulnerability having been victimized by the experience, which made it difficult to identify her strength and ability to persevere through the situation.

When I was personally asked to explain how one measures empowerment, I found this quite challenging to do without also reflecting on the contrast between my darkest moments and those when my inner light shined brightly. After listening to, analyzing and singing “I Will Survive” many times over, I’ve come to appreciate how the song can be used as a guide to explain more concretely the various levels of empowerment:

  1. “At first I was afraid I was petrified…”– One no longer has control over their own experience(s).  The experience has resulted in losing one’s ability to be confident and aware of opportunities beyond the state of being petrified—Zero Empowerment Level
  2. “I could never live without you by my side…”– The individual has given up the idea of being his or her own person.  His or her existence is now dependent on another individual’s presence and control—Zero Empowerment Level
  3. “I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong…”—The individual is now recognizing that there is something not quite right with the predicament. He or she has the ability to recognize the negative treatment. Therefore, the individual is awakening to the realization that his or her empowerment was managed by someone else—Level 1-2
  4. “I grew strong and I learned how to get along…”—The individual is learning to recognize his or her strength and how to live without being dependent on toxic experiences– Level 3-4
  5. “I’ve got all my life to live and I’ve got all my love to give…”—This individual is now recognizing the meaning of life for his or herself. At this point, the focus is not solely on the self; in this empowered state, the individual is ready to give of oneself–Level 5

Freddie Perren and Deno Fekaris’ “I Will Survive” can help us articulate and measure our own level of empowerment, especially as we interact with individuals and the wider world around us.  To what extent is empowerment necessary in order to be an effective parent, teacher and student? If we happen to learn that the cause of our disempowerment is a necessary fixture in our present lives, what steps can we take to remedy this?

Aug212019

Marva Collins

 

The 2019/2020 school year is here! I feel the energy shift from the slower-paced summer days to the more structured rigor of the academic year. This is especially the case for me because I teach and reside in the same community. Considering this, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what makes my teaching community rather special. What truly makes my teaching community special is the dedication, purpose, intellect and minding-the-light-within individuality embodied in all who I live and work with.

The Collins Connection

Learning about the great Marva Collins inspired me to reflect on why I appreciate my colleagues and my role as educator. Marva Collins was dissatisfied with the school system in Chicago due to the less than acceptable education children in the system received, including her own. She was compelled to make a difference and invested $5,000 out of her pension to start Westside Preparatory School, located on the second floor of her own home. Collins accepted children who were considered learning disabled and problematic according to the school system at that time. After working closely with Collins, the same children excelled above and beyond the labels once placed on them.

Collins enabled her students through the Socratic method. Through use of this method, centered on questioning, reasoning and logic, Collins inspired them to:

  • Gather Information
  • Set a purpose for reading
  • Reflect
  • Predict
  • Reason

Collins applied the aforementioned points in developing the meta-cognitive skills of her charges. When naysayers questioned her students’ intellectual abilities and future potential, Collins proved them wrong with open invitations to her classroom and methods. What an awe-inspiring individual! She was so riveting and educationally transformative, President Ronald Reagan nominated Collins to the position of Secretary of Education.

Dedication:

In true Jazzandblackboards fashion, I dedicate Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes’ “Wake Up” to Marva Collins:

I am most proud to be part of a tribe of individuals, like Marva Collins, who are dedicated to empowering minds. Share your reflections in respect to educators like Marva Collins.  In what ways have you been influenced and/or inspired by their service?

 

Aug12018

5 Steps to becoming more Positive

Image result for accentuate the positive Song by Arlen and Mercer.
Hello Friends,
Thank you for being present with me, today. Before I introduce “5 steps to becoming more positive” by accentuating the positive, allow me to first introduce myself…
A little about me: (The Educator)
I currently teach and live in a Quaker boarding school in Pennsylvania.
I was moved to teach when I learned that my father could not read. I learned this the day he attempted to encourage me to read a book (“The Cat in the Hat”) when he noticed that I was restless. Instead of following his suggestion to read the book on my own, I asked him to read it to me instead. That day, I learned that my father was illiterate. As an eight-year-old child, I could not fathom knowing how to do something that my father was unable to do. I simply couldn’t grasp the concept of his illiteracy. At this point, I read to him and began teaching him the words on the first page of the book. He was quite impressed and encouraged me to continue teaching him and teaching others because he thought I had a natural gift. I am a teacher today in large part because of that particular moment with my father. Although he passed away in April of 2008, I continue to feel his presence when I teach.
A little about me: (The Singer)
Subsequent to my passion for teaching, I am a passionate singer/songwriter/performer. I’ve written all of the lyrics for my debut project, “Arize, It’s Time to Shine”, amongst other works. I have performed at the Apollo Theatre, the Jacob Javits Center (in New York) and at the Celebrity Theatre (in Arizona). Currently, I am the lead singer for a twenty plus piece big band. I was moved to sing when I began creating melodies for the poetry I wrote as a middle school student. Singing brought the dark days of my teenage years to light. When I sing, I feel most in touch with my spirit.
A little about the blog title:
I’ve entitled my blog “Jazz and Blackboards” because these are the two mediums where I am most engaged in sharing information, knowledge and wisdom with students and audiences.
As you journey through “Jazz and Blackboards,” you can expect the following:
A snapshot of my inner and exterior world as an educator and singer.
Now; as I promised…

5 steps to becoming more positive (Accentuate the positive!)

  1. Reflect on the areas that make you happy– What makes you happy? What drives you to become a better person? Accentuate the positive in these areas by continually asking yourself these questions on a daily basis.  I love knowing that I can make a difference in my students’ lives.  I am also thankful that I have the talent and passion to share my voice in various ways. I am empowered when i teach and when I sing!
  2. Honor your commitments- This includes commitments made to self! For the sake of this post, I’ll continue to focus on this blog.  I actually wanted to write this blog for a number of years.  When I did not honor my commitment to publish, I felt a heaviness that came with believing that I let myself down.  yes friends! I am hard on myself at times.  However, i am only this way when I do not honor my commitments to self, which is not a regular practice-thank goodness! Accentuate the positive in this area by honoring your commitments to self and others.
  3. Be Honest- We all know the cliché, honesty is the best policy.  It’s actually more than a cliché. This is the absolute truth! be an individual of your word.
  4. Relax- Do what makes you feel light and free! Spend time away from the daily stresses and go to the spa, or read a great book, or listen to your favorite tunes.  I learned to accentuate the positive in this area because if I don’t, i simply become tense and on edge.  The way to stress and tension release is through finding outlets of relaxation.
  5. Be open to change- Change is inevitable! Now that I am a mother of an about to be fourteen month old, I know this all too well. My routine changes more than I would like to admit. I accentuate the positive by preparing for the unknown, knowing that my days are not guaranteed.  Accentuate the positive with resilience in the midst of change.

Once again, I am so thrilled to be engaged with you.  Please share some of the ways you accentuate the positive in your life.  I would love to add some of your suggestions to my personal list:)