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I have always been one to think standardized testing was a waste of time…. How can one test given to the masses dictate what an individual scholar is actually capable of???? Just doesn't make sense.


All day long teachers are asked to modify, accommodate, differentiate, scaffold, (insert other term meant to mean deviate from what the standard lesson is to make sure that all your students learning needs are being met at the same time) but then be asked to administer a one size fits all test that everyone will take regardless of how differentiated their learning has been.


Not taking into account that some students, dare I say the majority of students have test anxiety and are more apt to show their learned skill through application then some made up sentence/question/story that was written in a way to purposely trick them (not evoke higher level thinking)…..


But here we have those in higher seats that may have never stepped foot into a classroom, educational environment, attempted to teach a lesson at the varying levels within the classroom, put a lesson plan together, assess where each student is individually, or for that matter tell you what each persons job in a school building is (and no watching the children is no ones job title in a school building)….


I say this to say that this pandemic has lead us to continue the fight against standardized testing in education as a whole but especially the tight choke hold that is held on public school education. Testing has always been a means to weed out the “inferior” by any means necessary. And by inferior I mean the ones deemed inferior by the ones who are in charge. Take for instance the test that was administered to black folks as they went to vote, and how that test changed to make sure no-one would pass (no one newly allowed to vote that is), hell the people who already had the right to vote since birth would not have been able to pass but those in charge wanted to keep the power and found a loop hole to keep that power for as long as possible.


Yes we are in the middle of a poorly handled pandemic that is claiming bodies left, right, up and down…… and not only are we asking our kids to learn how to learn in this new environment but we are asking more than ever before of our teachers and educators… Teachers are attempting to balance teaching with social emotional learning and checking in on kids whose safety rested within the confines of the school walls… In everything that is asked of students and teachers under “normal or typical circumstances” and standardized testing shines through with big error messages of this just ain't right… Why is common sense lost on why standardized testing should be eliminated until we have made a better plan of action and approach to online learning during a national and world wide crisis.


Staff and students are worried about how a disease will attack their bodies if contracted. People are literally dying everyday from the complications this virus inflicts but standardized testing gets a green light…


I call flag on the play and the whole d*** system.


We have bigger issues that we should be tackling…. Online engagement, how to better distribute resources, ways to provide families and communities with the support needed so that the teachers and school staff aren't playing roles of social workers and psychologist. What about the ways these schools are still providing and transporting food to our students because there is a well known fact schools are the safety net that catches those whose only meal, hug, smile, affirmation, acknowledgement, etc (cause we would literally be here all day if I continued) comes from the school.


I leave you with these questions, because I understand students are and will be taking these test and I am looking for open discussions that lead to actions and results.... What will standardized testing show us this year? Who will take the brunt of the blame should the test results be lower than expected? What is the plan of action to support educators and scholars in preparation for these mandated tests as well as the aftermath? Who will be responsible for the unnecessary added emotional trauma during this pandemic by standardized testing?


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Did someone say " Winning Monday"??? Let me help you catch this WIN!!!!


Let me tell you right now that I love the woman behind this company. Reveal Your Beauty, is all about finding and loving yourself. Well at least that is how I have always interpreted this companies name. Jasmine, the owner, has been a a true friend in a season of my life when I needed the honesty, the reality, and the challenge. She inspired me to find who I am and love her. During this process I fell in love with her natural products. Honey my skin and hair flourish because of the love she puts into all of her products.


Now let's get into this face scrub.. Whew chile.... my face feels uber clean after using this. It also doesn't feel dried out after it is washed. I feel like I have new skin every time I wash with this bar. Oh did I mention it comes in different shapes. My favorite is the butterfly.


Tis' the season to send some love and some pampering. Click the picture and get yourself some handmade love or send some all natural love to a loved one.

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I know you all have heard that saying, well let me tweak it. Say it with your shirt!


Look....... a lot of us are not in positions in our working environments to be able to openly speak on certain topics that directly impact us (which is a whole different issue in itself). But I am not one to be silenced, but I do know how to follow rules. But I need my voice heard and heard loudly.


I cannot remain silent on issues that are ultimately killing people who look like me mentally, physically, emotionally, morally, financially, etc with the -lly's. I am in a position where I am in front of some of our most disadvantaged scholars for various reasons (race, religion, socioeconomic status, how disabilities are seen as limiting, etc). For me to remain silent, and again this is all my view and opinion, = death.


I will not be a part of the demise but I will use my voice, all this education my folks paid for, and my heart to be the change for the kids I come in contact with and may or may not come in contact with.. We never had the luxury to be silent and I will no longer take the backseat and wait for others to clear the path. My elbow grease will be used to pave these roads for our melanated scholars to have access and confidence to advocate.


Simply put, #blacknificent people we are the change we need and I will be a part of the solution. Get ready.....


Click on the pic to grab your talking piece!!!

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