[badcounselor88-blog]

Finally went to @brazosbookstore to pick up my book and it was bittersweet. I preordered Talking to Strangers which came with a ticket to an event to hear @malcolmgladwell speak. He’s my favorite! Like who else can combine life lessons, psychology, history, and science in books and make them interesting! On the day of the event my friend went into labor and was having complications and I decided to stay with her and meet the little guy who has has been the topic of our conversations and prayers for 9 months . My friend has a long road to recovery ahead, but overall is pretty healthy and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the event not knowing that for myself. I am speaking it out into the universe that this will not be my last opportunity to see Malcolm Gladwell. I can’t wait to dive into Talking to Strangers, and have a week full of Aha moments and deeper understandings of people and spread the message to anyone who starts a conversation with me!!!! #talkingtostrangers #malcolmgladwell #brazosbookstore #ilovebooks #momswhoread #books https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sSEBOBByN/?igshid=yt2miwubq0yy

[badcounselor88-blog]

New blog post Dear Angela Rich.... Link in bio !!! Thank you @angelrich27 for the history lesson I never knew I needed. Thanks for using heroes of the past and present, to motivate me and eliminate my excuses ... #historyoftheblackdollar #schooltoprisonpipeline #iread #ilovebooks #blackhistory # https://www.instagram.com/p/B3qcKTIBwVG/?igshid=io1vzd5v1uo4

[badcounselor88-blog]

Just finished The Bluest Eye by The Great Toni Morrison. Such an amazing story, but I’m saddened that I was able to relate to situations that took place in 1941. I loved that she gave the origin of the situations. I also realized that hypocritically say every behavior has a story. As a counselor I’ve told my students who suffered physical or verbal abuse to forgive their abusers for that very reason. Never have I said that to a student that has been sexually abused. I’ve never wanted to know the perpetrator’s stories. If jail wasn’t a consequence I would’ve attacked every stepdad , grandpa, uncle , dad, or cousin, that has sexually abused my students. I would’ve followed up with another round for the mothers that defended those guys and try to make me or the girls change our stories. Toni wrote what we all know to be true, that hurt people hurt people and most of these issues are cycles of hurt . Knowing the abuser’s stories in the book made me sympathetic, and gave me a different perspective of the bigger issues that we are currently ignoring today. The Bluest Eye made me more passionate about ending these cycles . I want the future generations to look back and think that issues such as bullying, rape, racism, classism, domestic violence, self-hate, and incest are myths. #selfhate #bluesteyereview #thebluesteye #tonimorrison #rape #domesticviolence #classism #racism #schooltoprisonpipeline #education #blackeducators #blackhistory #teacherlifestyle #schoolcounselorproblems #schoolcounselor #educators #generationalcurses (at The Kitchen) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ipVQbhJne/?igshid=18tdmkg2vodk6

[badcounselor88-blog]

I have been applauded for my behavior management and ability to deescalate some of the craziest situations . The credit goes to the friends I attended schools in low income neighborhoods with. I was friends with kids like my students and I knew their stories. I knew that behind every behavior there’s a story. I’ve also seen the long term effect of rewarding them with detention , suspension, and alternative school. Let’s switch it up and try a trip to the counselor’s office to unpack the domestic violence, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, that actually caused the frustration that caused the behaviors. My classmates and some of my “behaviorally challenged” students taught me if you want a different result use a different technique. So I listen instead of screaming , I look for positives during some of the most negative situations, I ask questions before giving directives. I learned all of this not from college but from those that most write up and write off. I love being a product of my environment!!! #schooltoprisonpipeline #productofmyenvironment #educated #counselors #blackeducators #school #schoolcounselor #teachermom #teacherquotes #maxineclark #teachkids #messengerkids https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cEiDgBGVL/?igshid=13akt0wkft9k6

[badcounselor88-blog]

Read this last school year and it has guided a lot of my reading this year. Thank you @wellreadblackgirl for giving me the map to finding myself in books! Just posted Dear Glory Edim, on my blog link in bio !!! Check it out and the book Well Read Black Girl it was absolutely amazing !! #wellreadblackgirl #gloryedim #representationmatters #representationmatters✊🏾👩🏾 #books #bookreview #bookclub #schooltoprisonpipeline #girlswhoread #momswhoread #reading https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VFp3Lhbjb/?igshid=899ejgcy2zrc

[badcounselor88-blog]

Amongst 2 TVs, at least 4 gaming systems, 40+ games and movies, and about 10 board games . I found 1 cute little reader in our game room this morning !!! #littlereaders #readyfreddy #proudmom #blackboymagic https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ZYp0qBb8q/?igshid=17i7m1ezfmbsm

[badcounselor88-blog]

My friend was so excited that I finally created an Instagram and told me I had to follow the @raisingreaders page. I was on the page forever And I LOVE HER ! I can’t wait to read this book and share with my parents !! The parents that we deem angry or a pain, aren’t as bad as they seem. They need to be heard and their opinions respected. I hate that I have had to mention my degrees to make a teachers stop talking to me like I’m stupid, and actually listen to my concerns. I’ve also had to remind teachers I work with the same thing, we get it you love them and want what’s best, but they do to no matter what they look like or act like initially. Pajamas, tattoos, or slang don’t make them unfit parents, or waste of time to talk to (yes they have said that ). Not one of my children came with an instruction manual we could all use some tips and guidance. Parents are more receptive to tips, when presented in a way that’s not judgmental. Keep in mind without the parent on board you will rarely get what you need out of the child . So make it a team effort , no matter your teammates’, race, level of education completed , or socioeconomic status. #teacherlife #parent #blackeducator #raisingreaders #parentinvolvement #engage #schooltoprisonpipeline #schooltomorrow #school #educationmatters #educator #counselinglife #schoolcounselor https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Xs60tBg89/?igshid=udx4nopi9zfg

[badcounselor88-blog]

Two years ago I took on The Manitou Springs Incline , one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever done. It climbs 1 mile vertically and has 2,744 steps. At points it seemed absolutely impossible to finish. This young lady and I started at the same time and when I would stop she would encourage me,and if she stopped I did the same. If she got too far ahead, her looking back was enough for me to speed up. She expected me to finish and she was there until I reached the top. I’ve been doing the same for students for 11 years . It’s not pity for the horror stories they tell me about their homes and it’s not charity. I genuinely believe they can reach their goals and I let them know I expect them to . I warn them that it’s not easy, and it may become harder the closer you get to the top , but overcoming those obstacles are more rewarding than they can imagine. Expectations are so powerful. I’ve had teachers tell me to lower my expectations, because they saw the family my students came from or looked at paperwork from previous schools. Ain’t gonna happen ! That young lady didn’t know me, or my athletic ability but she saw enough to push me to finish. No matter the zip code, circumstance, or current level, set those expectations high and show that you actually care and watch them amaze you ! #expectations #teacherlife #counselorlife #schoolcounselor #blackeducator #blackeducators #dontgiveup #manitouincline #coloradosprings #schooltoprisonpipeline #school https://www.instagram.com/p/B2VE4kVhk-X/?igshid=syzrlbji0qtc

[badcounselor88-blog]

I love @garyvee and after reading his book Crushing It, my perspective of social media and the possibilities I have to impact the world changed completely ! #garyvee #crushingit #entrepreneur #selfhelp #bookstagram #bookshelf #garyvanerchuk https://www.instagram.com/p/B2O-z49hjAS/?igshid=oimswndotis2

[badcounselor88-blog]

PSA: The rule about not smiling until Christmas is done. If you haven’t already started go ahead it’s okay to smile at them . Tell a joke or two. This old school method is over. It never worked and if it did the kids probably think you have split personalities. The goal is not for them to fear you but to gain their respect. Wait until Christmas to smile if you want ,by then your nickname will be the grinch. Respect is earned, no matter the age. Instead of drilling the rules into them and being super strict for the first few months, allow them to help create the rules. Explain why they are in place and how it affects the class if they are broken. #dumbrules #oldschoolteaching teacherlife #smile #schoolcounselor #schooltoprisonpipeline #school #blackeducators #teacherstruggles #educator #kids #love #happy #educationmatters #teachermemes #schoolmemes #ogmandino #ogmandinoquotes #middleschool #elementaryschool #highschool https://www.instagram.com/p/B2O-XmOBcMl/?igshid=7cgwsa4uxahb

[badcounselor88-blog]

Smile😁 !!! #teacherlife #smile #schoolcounselor #schooltoprisonpipeline #school #blackeducators #teacherstruggles #educator #kids #love #happy #educationmatters #teachermemes #schoolmemes #ogmandino #ogmandinoquotes https://www.instagram.com/p/B2O9FUUhvSx/?igshid=103oerqh1swyd

[badcounselor88-blog]

This is from one of my babies/ future photographer from last year. She went through more in 11 years than I have in 30. No matter the reason a kid comes in my office, I never let them leave without telling me what they want to be when they grow up . It’s similar to the savasana in yoga. After all the negative it’s my way of saying how are you going to fix this . What can you do now to ensure you are going to make it happen . What YouTube video can you watch , what book can you read , right now that will make you more knowledgeable about that career. I shared this to show you never know what’s going on in their lives. They want to share but they need to feel like you care about more than just test scores, grades, and conduct. Know who you are talking to. Ask them what they want to be, and incorporate their interest into your lessons . Show them you care about the 20 year old version of them just as much as you do about who they currently are right now . That focus can overshadow some of those dark home lives, and make them hopeful for their futures because they know someone else cares about it !!! #teachermail #schooltoprisonpipeline #teacherlife #counselorlife #socialemotionallearning #blackeducators #educator #domesticviolence #happy #ourfuture #nurture https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NHfrbA_Ko/?igshid=ua9zoev7ypgn

[badcounselor88-blog]

When your aunt/mom is an educator this is #sundayfunday !! #littlereaders #baskinrobbins #cousins (at Barnes & Noble) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NDkW2hcL8/?igshid=wnjja8czkt7e

[badcounselor88-blog]

Last year I volunteered to read to Camden’s class. One of the books I read was Crown Ode to the Fresh Cut by @authorderrickdbarnes . It’s a story told from a little black boy’s perspective of the barbershop. When I finished one of the 2 little black girls walked up and said ”I really like that story. ” I thought nothing of it until Camden and I went to lunch and he said ”mom we never read those kind of books at school”. I asked what kind he was referring to and he said books with black people. I never thought about the importance of black characters before his comment and realized our own library only had a few. This is Cam’s second year being the only black boy in his class, and since that day we've been on a mission to read books with characters he can identify with. Scrolling through Instagram today I realized there were many teachers like @missvin3 and @shimmywithmisskim who are making an effort to ensure their libraries are diverse as well. We will be sharing the titles we read hoping they inspire other teachers to make their library more diverse!!! Here are a few from this week Riley Can be Anything by @davina_writes Young Black and Gifted by @jamiaawilson The Little Beast in Me @littlenolan_theauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/B2AfBo1FV-c/?igshid=28mb02u1raiv

[badcounselor88-blog]

Check out my new post Dear Education like in my bio #teacherblogger #blackeducators #schooltoprisonpipeline #paperwork #teacherlife #educationmatters #schoolreform #educationreform https://www.instagram.com/p/B18v-iYl9Yc/?igshid=7pm8ztxttjhj

[badcounselor88-blog]

I know they give us germs and colds🤧Let’s be the bigger person and spread some energy that’s going to make them remember you and what you’re teaching for the rest of their lives! #teacherblogger #teacher #teacherlife #counselorlife #spreadlovenothate https://www.instagram.com/p/B18vpk3l38H/?igshid=uwfb5w1qffp8

[badcounselor88-blog]

Spread some positive emotions today !! Be human and laugh with them spread some happiness! Your smile may be the only one they see today! #blackeducators #teacher #teacherlife #positivevibes #positivequotes #malcolmgladwell #educator #educationmatters #teacherblogger #schooltoprisonpipeline https://www.instagram.com/p/B18vEdplcTT/?igshid=1x95be3lg6n7m