Realized My Dream - Now What?

Have you ever strived so hard toward a goal or dream only to have conflicting feelings when it becomes realized?  For the past few weeks, I have been dealing with a range of feelings about my initial African Dream coming to fruition.  

As I type this post, all of the supplies that I accumulated (about 4 pallets) are on their way to Nigeria and South Africa to benefit the eager minds of African children.  I could not be more pleased but part of me feels like I just stepped from a speeding train and I'm not sure exactly where I landed.  

I have not posted about bringing literacy to Africa lately because I am not sure about the direction I am to go on now.  I believe I am regrouping my storehouse with passion and purpose.  My purpose for this post is to purge my confliction of thoughts and to ask for suggestions.  

So how about it?  Got any?  I am open to your thoughts.

Inauguration Through Children's Eyes

I knew every teacher planned on showing the inauguration ceremony in their classroom today.  I am substituting for Art, so I had little hope of getting in on this historic conversation.  Before this momentous event unfolded, I searched out live feeds to watch on my laptop.  Unfortunately, either so many people were attempting the same course of action or my laptop was too slow to handle the traffic load.  I was unable to watch the ceremony.  

Instead, I decided to walk the halls and watch the children's faces as they watched the transfer of power.  Not a sound resonated from the halls or the classrooms.  Every eye was fixed on the moment. Suddenly it hit me - Our children will never know the separation of power simply due to our race, EVER!  The son of a Kenyan immigrant has been fairly chosen by this great country to lead us. 

As I thought more on this, pride filled me as I reflected on how European immigrants would take Africans as slaves.  Now, our children are witnessing the evolution of humanity.  My prayer is that we will no longer make initial judgments of individuals simply because of the color of their skin.  We have evolved as a country - in a grand way. 

Whether Republican or Democrat, now is the time to stand together.  We have overcome the color line, now let's work on the political line.  I have been a loyal Republican all my life, and chances are, I will continue to be.  But for now, our President has been elected to office and I will do my part to support him in making our great country what our forefathers invisioned at the birth of the United States of America. 

The election is over.  Let's get to work to mend our fractured economy.  It will take all of us.  As for me - I'm in all the way.  How about you?  Will your political affliliations suppress or dominate your opinions of your fellow man?  Remember, our children are watching. 

photo on flickr by Infinity Fotos

Smile - Costs Nothing Yet Brings Riches

In response to my being moved by Mike Sansone and Angela Maiers posts about smiling, I decided to smile back at them and give you all something dear to me - My Smile. 

A beloved mentor, friend, and neighbor of mine blessed me by giving me her smile - LITERALLY.  She gave me a plaque during a very difficult period in my life.  I keep it within sight always to remind me of the power we all have within us.  I hope you enjoy it.

A Smile

A smile costs nothing, but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it.

A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship.  It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.  Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.  
                                                                    Scribe - Richard Withers

So tell me, which part of the piece resonated with you?  Whose life will you enrich this day? 

photo on flickr by Maggie's World

 

Bringing Africa to Iowa

Art is an amazing creative outlet.  I have the privilege of teaching long-term in Art right now.  My 5th graders are creating examples of inspired authentic African masks (my choice of projects - I wonder why).  They enjoyed learning about the spiritual cultural significance of the masks, but it wasn't until our last session when their engagement elevated to new heights.

WildEarth.TV started following me on twitter last week, so I thought it would be fun to run the live feed from their South African preserve while the students were working on their masks.  The results of that decisin was far more than I anticipated. 

Safari Anyone?

They were in the middle of a safari while the students were working.  We were able to see many amazing animals, plus the commentator educated us as to the environmental aspects of what we were viewing along the way. 

The students could not believe that over 450 other individuals from around the world were also "going" on the safari with us. 

We live on a flat planet where anything can be viewed in real time anywhere around the world.  As an educator, that is a thrilling concept.  Technology can be used to enhance any educational setting.  Who knows, maybe that feed sparked an interest in one of my students that had not been reached yet.  All from a few animal walking around in Africa.  Got any unique ways you incorporate technology in the classroom?  I would love to hear it!

photo from flickr by shutterproof