YEAH—I’M STILL HAVING FUN

It’s been almost 25 years and I’m still in love with what I do. TEACH!!! Every week reflecting on what I’ve taught and thinking, “What can I do next week to motivate, engage, and elevate my “kids” (students) to their greatest potential?

My latest brainchild was Heyliger’s Game Day. My kids thought it was going to be a day full of running around crazy (NOPE!!!) Everything was football related, fun, and educational. 6 stations, 6 cool activities—researching and listening to a story about an awesome African American football player, tackling division, multiplication Twister, reading about sports injuries, sports word problems, and a science (football kickoff) investigation. The “kids” were so engaged and said this was one of the best days ever!!!

YEAH —LEARNING IS ALL OVER THE HOUSE

Using a recipe to cook with our kids takes a little extra work and patience, but the benefits are enormous.

1. Reading the recipe—READING COMPREHENSION. 2. Figuring out the right measurements—MATH. 3. Mixing the ingredients and transforming into new things —SCIENCE (physical & chemical changes), not to
mention the bonds we build with our kids while learning life skills.

Also, I love how Mommination has involved the kids in the workouts. While working out the kids can count, say their colors, memorize multiplication facts, or even discuss the latest books they’ve read. There are no limits to what can be done while working out.

YEAH— ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Even after teaching for all these years, I’m always challenging myself to learn new things. Each year I take professional development trainings to stay abreast on what’s new with technology, what does the latest research say, and of course network with other educators to see what’s working in their classrooms. So many awesome educators out there trying to be innovative and keep our children’s learning relevant and interesting.

YEAH—YOU’RE CHILD’S BEST ADVOCATE! —YOU!!!!

We know our children the best! From the womb they begin to make their mark and show us who they are. Knowing what type of learner your child is can help you to know how they learn best.

When conferencing with your child’s teacher it’s good information to share with them. Are they a visual learner (pictures, worksheets, etc.), kinesthetic learner (hands-on), auditory (listening), collaborator (team player), or independent learner (I’d rather work alone)?

Focusing on their strengths and building their areas of need is key.

YEAH—IT’S NOT EASY, BUT SOMEBODY’S GOTTA DO IT

I know I’ve been chosen, better yet destined to be a teacher since a very young age. I would always negotiate with my brother Dexter. “OK, I’ll play cars with you if you play school with me, and I’m the TEACHER!!” I loved giving him homework and detentions.

LOL. I still have an old newspaper that my cousins, brother, and I created after we interviewed all the adults in the house. (One of our “school” creations) Teaching OPC (Other People’s Children) can sometimes seem challenging, but when I see the growth they make, I’m rewarded with a full heart.

I didn’t know it then, but it all makes sense now. Over the years I wanted to be a journalist, a prison psychologist, a lawyer, and a pediatrician. Playing school, working at summer camps, daycares, and babysitting everybody’s kids—God kept showing me what my purpose in life was.

While attending college at FAMU, I finally listened and accepted what I was called to do. I AM AN EDUCATOR.
Almost 25 years later, and that’s all she wrote!!!
Written by Mommi Denise