Monthly Advice–February

I have stated this previously: Black History is the history of the world, it is a global history.

And I have previously recommended a variety of books, and recommended a variety of platforms, but all my recommendations have been focused on classroom use and teacher-centered professional development. The history–while trying to be as inclusive and global as possible–has remained academic in nature. And it has remained, generally, about the past.

Now, my 7th and 8th grade history teacher taught me that history is the past, present, and future. If we want to know about tomorrow, we can look at our present. If we want to know about today, we can look at our past.

Time, and history, is interwoven. Bound to one another.

This lesson, and their teaching overall, ignited a passion for history; indeed, one of my majors in my undergraduate studies was history–and this passion is alive and well.

I see that history is more than numbers or facts, that history is hardly stagnant or irrelevant. History is stories and emotions, mind-blowing and saucy–yes, I said saucy.

But I am guilty of not bringing in every aspect of entertainment and joy to my history lessons. And I realized recently: I have never discussed what to do outside the classroom.

So this month — this Black History Month — I ask:

How are you, personally, committed to Black History Month?

Remember: Black History is the past, present, and future.

Remember: Black History is fun too! It doesn’t have to be facts, dry, or focused on rote learning. It can just be learning for learning’s sake. It can simply mean diversifying the content that makes you smile and laugh.

So, what beyond the classroom, do you do to celebrate Black History?

Again–remember: Black History is the past, present, and future; and, Black History is fun!

Need inspiration? Examples? No worries–I got you covered.

Author: Beverly Jenkins — saucy! (romance novels)

Instagram: @redactedhistory_ — mind-blowing (short stories/reels)

Podcast: Black History Year — stories and emotions (short & long episodes full of emotion)

I don’t know where you are on your DEI journey. I don’t know the limits, or limitless nature, of instruction and learning as it pertains to Black History Month–and any other group, or month long celebration.

But what I do know is:

DEI work is a lifelong personal and professional commitment,
Black History Month is every month,
Every month is an opportunity to provide every group, and ourselves, a mirror and window to the world

And with all of that — I ask again: How are you, personally, committed to Black History Month? What do you do outside the classroom to make sure you know and celebrate every story and emotion of Black History–past, present, and future.

New Look/Additions

As mentioned in my 2023 resolutions, I am making a concerted effort to expand my educational profile and resume.

So, sticking to these resolutions, I am happy to announce a new page on this website — Writing and Editing Services.

This page has slowly been developed, edited, and revamped since the new calendar year. And, I plan to add more to it. I imagine I will add even more as questions trickle in, as the work evolves, as I grow professionally as well.

Now, I have always enjoyed the writing process.

I am *that* person–the person that enjoys rereading a paper, that enjoys discussing a paper, that enjoys going through the entirety of the revision and editing process to get to the polished draft. I was *that* teacher–the teacher that enjoyed teaching the mechanics of writing, that encouraged writing, that wanted to include more writing. In this way, it is no surprise that once I took some writing and editing classes for fun, I ended up with a certification and a desire to write and edit full-time. I’m not quite at full-time yet, but perhaps with this page I’ll get closer to that dream 😉

With that stellar introduction, make your way over to Writing and Editing Services — like the page, share with a friend, add a comment on what more I can add!

Why do I teach?

Installment #12

I teach for the stories.

Now, this isn’t like Installment #9–this is not a nod or a reference to the stories I get to read; this is about the stories I get to live . . . because some of them are hilarious.

Remember “kids say the darnest things”? Yeah, there’s a reason for that saying — kids are hilarious, and blunt. Kids not only say the darnest things, they do the darnest things. And while there are times where I, as the teacher, have been at a lost for words–absolutely confounded; I, nevertheless, get to go to parties, dinners, any sort of get-together, with some of the best, most outlandish, stories.

Ever had a kid tell you a little too much about their parents’ . . . relationship?
Ever had a kid tell you exactly what their older brother or sister was doing . . . and probably didn’t want anyone to know exactly what they were doing?
Ever had a kid tell you how you look today . . . brutally tell you how you look?

I have–all of it and more–and they are among my best memories, and my favorite stories to share with everyone 🤗😅

🤗😅 I teach for the stories 🤗😅

January 24, 2023: Quote of the Day

“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”

– Chinese Proverb

2023: Resolutions

The 2022 calendar year sort of ran away from me in terms of my educational profile and work.

I continued to expand my resume, learning, and teaching outside of the traditional classroom (webinars/professional development, DEI/DEIB advocacy through my social media platform).

I reignited my love and passion for writing and editing. I wrote on a variety of platforms for pleasure and practice. I provided editing services and/or coached students through the writing process–mainly the writing process for admission essays and dissertations; yes, opposite ends of the university experience!

I entered a new educational space (city/community programming), which challenged my pre-existing notion of learning, and planning for learning.

Life continued as planned. Life sent me to old goals and passions. Life provided me with new ideas and passions. It was a good mix, but it was a lot of change and flux that took me out of this space specifically . . .

Given this mix, a mix I have finally learned how to navigate and balance more appropriately, I am taking the opportunity afforded to us all at the start of the calendar year, and the midpoint of the academic year to all educators, to write a few goals tied to my 2022 experience.

This 2023 I plan to:

Make a schedule, and stick to it, for writing here on C is for Camacho
Renew all education licenses
- Already renewed one at the end of 2022!
Attend an educational conference
- Any suggestions?
Take one class or training on a subject, methodology, or technology tool that has interested me the past year
- Any platform recommendations?
Continue to expand my educational profile/resume

And so begins the 2023 calendar year, the rest of my school year . . . with reflection, with a little bit of the old and the new, with focused energy on continued growth and development.