Category Archives: Words to Live By

Stage Presents: Not Your Average Teacher – Nigel Walker Ed. S.

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Making the Pieces Fit - Not Your Average TeacherIn my opinion, teaching is one of the hardest and most noble professions.  It takes a certain kind of dedication and commitment to be able to reach, mold, and engage young minds.  As a parent, I have had the opportunity to experience  many different teachers and administrators.  I have always been fascinated by the way that certain teachers can capture both the affection and the imagination of  the children that they teach. In today’s society, I find that the focus has shifted away from those who teach because they love to teach and have a genuine passion for reaching those in their charge.  So, I wanted to do this Creative Interview to showcase a Teacher who is definitely “Not Your Average Teacher”.  They do EXIST.  In addition to being a teacher, Nigel Walker is also a published author, three times over.  You will find the links to his books in his bio at the end of this blog.  Be sure to Like and Follow him on his various Social Media Channels.  He definitely gets the Stage Presents Seal of Approval.

What made you want to become a teacher?

After changing my mind several times, I began to think about what I could do that I would enjoy other than writing, music or theater.  Even though I delighted in those things, I was looking for a more stable career.  I then thought about how much I liked to tutor other students in High School, and I recalled that my Spanish class taught basic Spanish to elementary school children, and so began my interest in teaching.

What makes your teaching style unique?

My upbringing  helps me to relate to more of the students that are considered “at risk”.  My diverse interests in music and pop culture help me to relate to the average student, and my use of music and creative teaching techniques keep the students engaged.  I also pair that with the very high expectations to draw a belief out of all my students that they can achieve   Many will tell you that it is a difficult and scarcely seen task to maintain high expectations amidst student and parent resistance, as well as changing standards and expectations.

What is your goal for your students each year?

I tell my students at the beginning of each year that it is my goal for 100% of them to have a passing grade and/or pass whatever standardized test we are giving, and I believe that is possible.

Ultimately, what do you see as your end game?  What do you think that your experience and education has prepared you for?

My ultimate goal is to open my own school, whether it is private or charter.  I have have had the good fortune of being acquainted with Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, co-founders of the Ron Clark Academy and some of their outstanding teachers.  I have also had the privilege of working under the 2013 Metlife/NASSP National Principal of the Year, Dr. Laurie Barron.  In those experiences, I have shared my goals and have been advised by people I think are the best equipped to give advice.  My experience as a professional speaker and community activist has prepared me to understand the sense of community it truly takes to help in the development of a child.  I am prepared to embark on my own personal journey to develop the next generation of leaders in the community.

What is your vision for your school?  Tell me a little about it.

The vision of the school is to use an energized curriculum based on music and the arts to engage students in rigorous instruction.  It is also to discover or utilize talent to serve the community, while building lasting qualities of good character.  I want my school to change the culture of how underprivileged and underrepresented students are viewed in society and build a legacy of leadership and scholarship that they will brag about being a a part of.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In the next three and a half years, I hope to finish my doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership and if  I decide to go with a Charter School, I hope to be ready to open my school in the 5th year.

What advice would you give to a newly graduated teacher, getting ready to enter the School House in the Fall?

Don’t go in alone.  Find a mentor and a support group.  Teaching is not a piece of cake.  Be in it for the right reasons, the students!!  Be consistent.  Be fair.  Understand your student’s personalities and try to find ways to incorporate them in your expectations, so that they can be themselves.  Stay within the standards that you set in your classroom.

What’s your favorite quote?

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.  Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Where can we find you around the web?

WillEdServices Website

Twitter

Facebook

Nigel Walker Ed. S - Not Your Average Teacher

Nigel L. Walker was born February 13, 1980 in Eufaula, AL. He is a teacher, author, speaker, and owner of W.I.L.L. Educational Services, LLC. He has a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Leadership. His works include poetry books, The Secret Diaries of Jean Batiste and Rose Petals for Josephine: The Secret Diaries Vol. II, and a narrative nonfiction, The Underground Philosophy of Education: Teaching is Not for Dummies. He was a 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year Candidate, 2012 Professional of the Year for Covington’s Who’s Who Professional Registry, and is a member of the Great Black Speaker’s Bureau. He was featured in 7 Black Education Speakers Making a Difference by the Great Black Speaker’s Bureau. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is married with two children.

Being Accountable for Both Your Success and Your Failure as an Etsy Shop Owner

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Advice On Being Accountable for Your Successes and Failures as an Etsy Shop Owner

As many Etsy Business Owners do, in the beginning I joined many Etsy Facebook Groups in the hopes of being able to advertise and meet like minded individuals. That did not really go as planned.  What I did find, that I didn’t anticipate was a lot of complaining, and dare I say whining. There was a serious lack of accountability. Owning your own business is no easy feat. And, as with anything challenging, I think that it is pretty common to find folks blaming others for their failures and or short comings. So I suppose I should not have been surprised. Complaining is extremely contagious, it is really easy to jump on the murmuring bandwagon when things aren’t going your way.  However, in the midst of all of that, I managed to find some Etsy Sellers who were really focused on building their brand, catering to their customers and advancing. For those few, I think there was a common core to their success. The whole experience prompted me to write this blog on Being Accountable for Both Your Success and Your Failure as an Etsy Shop Owner.

“You can’t accept praise for your success, but not bear blame for your failure.” — Sheree Thomas

a.  It is up to  you to make sure that your listings read as they should.  Just as you can’t read your customers minds, they can not read yours.  Leaving things open to interpretation, leaves them open to be INTERPRETED.  S-P-E-L-L it out.  If your digital item prints best at 11’x14′, say that.  If you are willing to make changes to custom invitations, be sure to indicate how. For example, I am only willing to change the background color and the font size.  I am willing to make 3 revisions.    My pillows only come in these sizes.  And, so on and so forth.

b.  If you make a mistake CLAIM IT.  (Read about my Shipping Fumble Here).  If you did everything you could to ensure proper delivery and some how something broke.  You may want to consider giving the customer a refund (partial or full).  It could be the difference between a return customer and a bad review.  Things happen unfortunately (Murphy’s law).  Sometimes you may just have to EAT IT.  I know that is no easy thing to do, especially when you are counting on the money.

c.  There are a lot of Etsy Shop Owners who are willing to help NEWBIES.  But, if you ask for a critique then be prepared to hear it.  Don’t lose your sh….. ahem Marbles when you hear something you don’t like.  And, if people give you advice, and you do not take it and continue to complain about your lack of sales.  Then….. sigh…   And just to save you the trouble, most constructive critiques will go something like this:

 1. Better Pictures and Lighting Are Needed

2.  Your Products Need Better Descriptions (Detail, Detail, Detail)

3.  You May Be Under Selling Your Product or Over Selling (Check Your Price Point)

4.  Tags (Pick the Best Tags for Your Products) –Check Out These Etsy Tips Found here on Indiemade.com

5.  Learn All You Can About Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Check Out this Free Beginner’s Guide to SEO found here on Moz.com.

Etsy Tools - The Ins and Outs

“What comes easy, won’t LAST and what lasts won’t come EASY.”

A Salute to Dedicated and Devoted Teachers + Free Printable Teacher Gift Tags

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Teacher Appreciation Blog

As the parent of a child with Special Needs letting her go out into “the world” aka Elementary School was no easy task.  Under the protective umbrella of Day Care, I grew to expect a certain level of care that I was not sure if I was going to receive in Elementary School.  I was beyond nervous and apprehensive while trying to appear confident and excited about the transition.  My oldest is 18 years old, so I had an opportunity the deal with all kinds of teachers.  So, I felt like I knew what to expect.

But, nothing could have prepared me for the team that I would encounter at her school.  I can only say that I was blessed.  Right out the gate her Speech Therapist fell in love with her.  I got the immediate feeling that she would care for her like her very own and she did.  We have had 5 years of amazing teachers, and specialist.  Each going the extra mile to make sure that our girl got the care she needed in order to successful.  That is no small feat, trust me.  When she gets out the car in the morning, I am truly comfortable and at ease.

For this reason, Teacher Appreciation Week is extremely important to me.  After all who else spends as much time with your little ones as you do.  These ladies and gentlemen are the next line of defense and are instrumental in helping to mold their young minds.  So every year, I try to put a little thought into giving them something that shows just how much we appreciate their efforts.

This year I wanted something both cute and quick.  So, I decided to go personalized.  We ordered these Super Cute Laura Kelly Personalized Note Pads from Expressionery and coupled them with our Printable Teacher Gift Tags and some Ribbon.  And, just like that we had a Gift Any Teacher would appreciate.

Teacher Appreciation Blog1

To Download your Own Copy of the Printable Teacher Gift Tags featuring #myteacherisbetterthanyours Click Here.

THANKS-FOR-HELPING-ME-GROW-TAG

“IT TAKES A BIG HEART, TO HELP SHAPE LITTLE MINDS.”

What is your Go To Gift for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Staycations & Road Trips – Spring Break on a Budget

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Spring BreakSpring Break always brings to mind visions of warm weather, beaches, vacation homes, hotels and lots of sun.  But, what do you do when your budget doesn’t make those things a possibility.  The change in the economy some years back brought to the fore front the concept of Stay-cations (vacations spent at home).  I am sure most people, don’t find that idea to be too appealing, myself included. This year I had grand plans for Spring Break, but due to unforeseen circumstances they fell by the wayside.  So, I was left scrambling to find something to do with the kids to occupy their days while not graying anymore around the temples.

Luckily for us, the beginning of Spring Break happened to fall on Easter.  So we decided to go visit family deeper South.  Yep, that means a Road Trip with young kids.  That is about as terrifying as the whole idea of the Stay-cation.  Check out our post back in October 2013 on Road Tripping with Kids.  Well our kids aren’t that small so you would think, no big deal, but we have a 5 year old, who NEVER has to go potty until we are on the road, with no Rest Stop in Sight.  That lead to two unplanned stops both going and coming, much to the dismay of our less than sympathetic chauffeur aka Daddy.  But, we made it there despite the added time to our trip. Our Trip meant at least one night of hotel stay, and for the kids that was equivalent to heaven.  We were also excited to find out that their was a Fair in town.  They got a chance to experience a good old Country Fair in all its glory.  So we were still scoring, as far as the kid’s were concerned.

The hard part of course was still to come.  We were headed home and needed to figure out what to do with them for the remainder of the week.  So, I pulled out my trusty planner and decided to put together a Pseudo Schedule/Plan so that we wouldn’t drive each other batty.  I penciled in Day Trips to the local kid’s museums, the local zoo, and even some Ferris Wheel and Water Park Fun. Add to that some Easy Craft Projects, and a few inexpensive trips to Local Fast Food Joints, the Farmer’s Market, and Ice Cream Shops.  And, you have a week filled with entertainment and joy for all parties involved.  Or at least that’s what I am hoping.  Keep in mind that you have to take into account that you are planning around the weather, temperaments and time constraints, but it will all be worth it in the LONG RUN.  What are you doing or what did you do this Spring Break?

“Life is to be Enjoyed, Not Endured.” – Create your Own Joy!!

Fun Friday – What Made It On My Radar This Week!!

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FunFridayWe made it to the Weekend!!  That is reason enough to celebrate with all the craziness going around. Every Weekend, I entice myself with plans of pulling the covers up around my neck, sleeping in, drinking coffee in bed and reading a good book.  And, then I am startled awake by two, entirely too awake, wide eyed and bushy tailed little girls.  Every now and then dh  takes pity on me and I wake up to the smells of breakfast wafting through the house and my little monsters happily eating. This is always a treat.  Even though I often miss the days of peace and quiet, I know all too well that these times won’t last forever.

For Today’s Fun Friday Post, I am opening up the blinds and letting you in on what made it on my radar this week.

1.  Monday was a Holiday and Tuesday was a Snow Day, or in Georgia a Potential Threat of Ice Day.  What do you do with your kids on Snow Days?  It’s just enough to drive this Mommy crazy.  Being stuck in the house all day with children who want you to entertain them, can really leave you grasping at straws.  Here are some ideas I found around the web to maintain your sanity, while still scoring major Mommy points. I am putting these on my list for next year(because hopefully we are done with this, and Spring is on it’s way.).   The Indoor Picnic – Game Marathons –  Cookie Baking and Decorating Contest – Beauty Parlor – Hair and Mani-Pedis.  Just to scratch the surface.  I am working on a more detailed post just on that.

2.  The Return of the Mack aka Frank Underwood and my favorite Netflix Series House of Cards.  In case you have been living under a rock for the last two seasons.  Find out more about Francis and Claire here.  It came out this morning, and once this post gets published, I will be in  a self induced House of Cards Coma for the next 13 episodes.

3.  My girls are particularly excited about the Release of the Annie DVD.  I mean over the moon.  There was a lot of hand holding, screaming and straight up joy, when they found out that we could actually pre-order the movie now.  I must admit that I have kind of overdosed on the sound track, because they play it every day.  But, since I don’t intend to have to stomp out an uprising in my own home.  I guess Mommy will tow the line.

4.  Looking for some  Inspiration and Positive Vibes –  Check out my (3) Favorite Instagram Feeds for this week:

A:  TheIconicGirls

B:  ABowlFullofLemons

C:  Proverbs31Ministries

5.  What I am currently looking forward to – The iPhone 6 Plus  or the 6 (Eligible for my Upgrade on 3/1/15) – I haven’t quite decided yet, and yes I know I am way too excited about that…

5.  My favorite quote for the week:

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Photo Source: Pinterest

Enjoy The Weekend!!

5 Steps to Combat Winter Dryness by Nandi of Nandi’s Naturals

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Guest Blog: 5 Steps to Combat Winter Dryness - Written by Nandi of Nandi's Naturals

 

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Colder months bring with them a new set of skin-care challenges. Unless we live in subtropical climates, the air is usually more frigid and drying, and less humid. With winter well underway, I’m going to share 5 tips for helping your skin survive this year’s cold front.

 

  1. Stay hydrated. Just because the weather has gotten colder and you may be perspiring less, doesn’t mean your body requires less hydration. Drink up. As a matter of fact, don’t drink any less than you would during hotter months. Your skin requires the moisture that comes from being properly hydrated as much now as it did in warmer months. Colder weather has a tendency to be drier, meaning less available moisture for your skin.
  2. Use thicker, slower-absorbing moisturizers. A few of my favorite products during colder months are Nandi’s Skin Relief Butter and any of their body butter bars or lotion bars. Why? Because these are heavier in consistency and slower to absorb than normal body butters and lotions, therefore being longer lasting on the skin. They’re wonderful for locking in moisture right after a shower or bath. At the same time that these create a protective barrier against moisture loss, they also condition the skin.
  3. More baths, less showers. You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating. Even during summer months, showers can cause buildup on the skin, resulting in scaly and severely dry skin. Bathing opens the pores, provides more absorbent topical moisturizing and helps shed dead skin, especially on legs and feet. Not only that, it’s the perfect way to unwind and release stress. Be sure your baths or showers aren’t too hot, because too much heat can be drying to the skin.
  4. Moisturize heels. Don socks. Sleep. All summer you’ve walked around showing off your toes. Winter is the time to revitalize and pamper them. My nighttime ritual year ’round, but most especially during winter months, is to moisturize my feet, paying special attention to my heels, and slip into a pair of socks at bedtime. Performing this ritual leads to a lot of repairing and conditioning while you snooze. Come summer, you don’t have to get your feet ready, because they’re already ready.
  5. Open your curtains and blinds and let the sun shine in. Okay, okay, this one isn’t exactly a skin-care tip, but in a way it is. Our absorption of vitamin D is decreased during winter months. This could possibly contribute to more illnesses, including depression. Sunlight can help lift your spirits during winter months, which may motivate you to do more to care for your whole body. Your skin being one of your largest organs can’t help but benefit!

 

About Nandi – 

Here’s an excerpt that I swiped from her website about her Vision. – Born and bred in small-town Louisiana, most of what Nandi’s Naturals founder Yolanda “Nandi” Jacobs consumed came straight from the earth, no additives, no preservatives, no fillers. While life choices might have taken this kreyól girl away from her small-town upbringing, one thing always remained: a desire to recreate her childhood, where figs and pears were picked fresh off the trees in her grandmother’s backyard, where chickens clucked, roosters crowed, cows mooed and birds chirped. Of course, she didn’t want to place all those ingredients in her products, but you get the drift—good products don’t require tons of unpronounceable ingredients, when simple, safe ingredients will do. So, it’s with the vision of summer days eating blackberries until her mouth turned blue and fingertips black, that Nandi set out to create body care products that didn’t require a chemist to translate the ingredient list or cause panic attacks after seeing the price tag. In other words, she wanted her cluck to be a cluck and her moo to be a moo.

 

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Not Just Another Three Day Weekend – MLK Jr. Day

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his lovely wife, Coretta Scott-King

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As I planned out my blog post for the month of January, this particular blog post was at the top of my list.  But, I must admit that I struggled with exactly what I would say.  I wanted to make sure that what I wrote truly conveyed my feelings and did the subject justice.

As a child being introduced to Black History, I remember being in awe of Dr. King, his message, his diplomacy, his grace in the face of adverse conditions, and mostly his commitment. I devoured anything that I could find and read about the Civil RIghts Movement and not just about Dr. King, but Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy Jr., Lyndon B. Johnson (to name a few). I have always felt connected to Dr. King on a personal level.  Because, his legacy to me, lies in more than just the civil rights movement.  It lies in the personal struggle and sacrifice, that both he and his family made for the future of a nation. I am reverenced by the very thought of it.

As a mother, and a wife, I can’t quite wrap my head around the bravery that it must have taken for Dr. King and others who participated in the movement, to leave their families and walk straight into what could ultimately be their last day on earth, over and over again.  I cant imagine the state of sheer panic, that their families felt everyday. But, I assume that it would be something similar to what military spouses or the families of first responders experience.  I think that is why I have always had such respect for Coretta Scott King and others widowed by the cause, because I can only imagine the magnitude of loss that they suffered in the name of FREEDOM.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Not Just Another Three Day Weekend

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I often use the word humbled to describe the emotion that washes over me, when I take the time to sit down and fully grasp the fact that so many died so that we could LIVE.  If I am being totally honest, I am not sure that I could have made that kind of sacrifice, for people that I didn’t know, for people who didn’t support me, or even for people who were angered by the fact that I wanted more for them.  And, it always propels me toward the fact that their behavior can be described as nothing less than Christ-like.  Not because they were perfect or without sin or flaws.  But, because they, like Christ, died so that we could  have life and have it more abundantly.(John 10:10)  What an Awesome Gift!!

So, when I think of MLK Jr. Day, I don’t think of it as just anther 3 day weekend. I don’t think of it as being just about ONE man and his legacy and his dream. But, for me, it’s a day to celebrate, acknowledge and honor the sacrifices that were made in the name of Progressive Change.  What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you?

Martin Luther King Junior Quote - Letter from Birmingham Jail

10 Things you already know… but need to be reminded of.

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  1. 10 Things You Already Know But Need to Be Reminded Of - www.stage-presents.com

#10 THINGS

  1. Your success is not contingent on anyone else’s failure.  And, if it is you may need to reevaluate what motivates you.
  2. Everything is not black and white, but usually wrong is wrong and right is right.  And, no amount of lying to yourself or other’s will change that.
  3. Over thinking really can ruin things, relationships, friendships and opportunities.  Some times it really isn’t that deep.
  4. If you think it is about you?  Ask.  If you don’t understand.  Ask.  Making up your own answers, and drawing your own ill-advised conclusions, only leads to confusion and mayhem.
  5. If you work at it, (Build it, it will come.)  All goals CAN be achieved with hard work and continuous effort.
  6. Half the effort yields half the results.  My Favorite line from Sweet Home Alabama, “You can’t ride two horses with one ass, sugar bean.” – Watch Clip
  7. Be as kind and forgiving to yourself as you would be to the ones you love.  Learn how to treat yourself, define your worth, then teach a boot camp to help other’s catch on.
  8. It wont always go as planned.  In my case, it frequently does not.  Redirect the Sails and learn how to keep the ship afloat in present conditions.
  9. In times of hardship, struggle and tribulations your faith WILL be tested.  Stand strong.  Bend don’t break and lean on the only true Author and Finisher.
  10. This to shall pass.  Whatever it is.  (Though I’m sure it wont feel like that in the eye of the storm.)  It will end.  Remember your own track record for surviving what seems like impossible situations.

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