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An Individual Approach to High School and Beyond

Each of us is unique.  We all have different interests, different hobbies, different character traits, and different abilities.  Are you as glad about it as I am?  Imagine how boring the world would be if we all were the same.

Since we are all unique individuals, shouldn’t our educational experinces be unique as well?  Of course they should.  The cookie cutter approach is exactly why our children are dropping out of school or graduating from high school unprepared for higher education and the workforce.  The “old way” of teaching is exactly what is driving our national education reform efforts and home school communities.

At The Teen Toolbox, LLC, we believe in providing each teen with “an individual approach to high school and beyond.” Our programs empower teens to achieve academic, personal, and professional success on their own terms.  

We offer enrichment programs and activities that allow teens to:

• Recognize their strengths, skills, and interests
• Embrace their individuality
• Explore different academic, career and business paths
• Make the most of their high school experience
• Build an individual portfolio

 We support parents who:

• Are unable to locate the resources their child needs
• Want to feel more empowered to advocate for their child
• Want their child to take part in extra-curricular activities that build confidence and leadership

 We support teens who:

• Feel school is boring, difficult or unpleasant
• Are unsure what they want to do when they finish high school
• Are wondering what career or business they might do well in
• Want to control their own destiny

I believe in the power of education!  A college education may not be for everyone but graduation from high school is a MUST.  Education is the key to our individual and collective futures.  According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, high school drop outs from the class of 2006-2007 will cost the US more than $329 million in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetime because those who drop out are more likely to be incarcerated, rely on public programs and social services, and go without health insurance than those who graduate from high school.  In addition, globalization is forcing our teens to compete for jobs not only against teens in their city and state but with teens on other continents.  We have to do better.  A quality education allows students to develop academically, socially, and professionally.  

You already know that I have had amazing teachers for whom I am eternally grateful!  What you may not know is that I have been working in school-based programs for over 10 years.  I have  acquired insider knowledge of school culture and education reform.  I have been up close and personal with four local school systems (tell you more bout that later).  I consider myself an “Inside-Outsider” who has seen the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly that our education system provides.  Research, training, and first-hand experience is what allows me to provide innovative, youth-driven programming.  As a result, our teens understand the global economy, develop career skills through extra curricular activities, and are able to use an independent service project to improve their community and create professional opportunities.

Books We Love!

Do you love books?  I have always loved books and I have instilled a love of reading in my daughter.  Books are on every birthday and Christmas list.  I truly believe that “a book is a present that you can open again and again”.

How do you instill a love of reading in your children and teens?

Quotes On Literacy & Reading

 ”Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.” – Frederick Douglas 

“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.” — Frank Serafini

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald

 ”There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” — Jacqueline Kennedy

 ”The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” — Walt Disney

Books We Love 

• 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School by Steven Jenkins and Erika Stalder
• The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream by Doctors Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins
•  Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich From the Inside Out by Farrah Gray
•  Get Real Get Rich: Conquer the 7 Lies Blocking You From Success by Farrah Gray
•  Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens by Robert Kiyosaki
•  Countdown to College: 21 ‘To Do’ Lists for High School [Step-by-Step Strategies for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders] by Valerie Pierce with Cheryl Riley
•  The Teenager’s Guide to School Outside the Box by Rebecca Greene
•  How To Make College Want You: Insider Tips for Tipping the Admissions Odds in Your Favor by Mike Moyer

  

When I was my daughter’s age, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a teacher or a social worker.  Are you wondering how I narrowed it down to these two choices?  I loved kids, I loved reading, I loved helping people, and I was smart.  I never considered earning potential (not that either career is traditionally lucrative).

I had a half-day schedule during my senior year and because I didn’t have a clear understanding of the college application process, I spent my afternoons watching soap operas. My nickname used to be “the babysitter”, and each day at 3pm when school ended for my younger cousins, I walked the two blocks to my old elementary school and gathered the three musketeers.  One afternoon, my old second grade teacher asked me if I wanted a job as a tutor for the after school program that she was organizing.  I said yes and the three musketeers were enrolled in the program also. No need to worry, they were assigned tutors they weren’t related to.  It was a win-win situation.  I loved it.  I had great relationships with the students and became a mentor to some.

On to how I made my career path decision.  During the Christmas holiday, our program held a holiday drive for St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home. (Told you I’ve been serving a long time.)  The residents at St. Ann’s were teen mothers who were in the fostercare system.   Their Christmas wish lists were just like mine. These girls wanted walkmans and clothes not diapers and bottles.  I was so drawn in to them.  I remember thinking that these girls are regular teens who can’t spend the holiday at home with a loving family.  You’re probably thinking, “How can you be so naïve Nicki?”  I really wasn’t naïve.  I had friends who had become mothers while in high school but they all remained at home with their parents.  I wanted to help these young ladies have the Christmas that I felt they deserved and social work emerged victorious. 

Do you remember my post “Who Is Teaching Your Children”?  this post is another reminder that I need to send another shout out to my teachers.  I was offered an afterschool job that paid for my senior expenses, allowed me to serve the community, and helped me decide on a career path because of the actions of a talented, caring DCPS teacher.

Who Is Teaching Your Children?

I am so not a fan of District of Columbia Public Schools (overall).  And, no, I am also not a fan of Michelle Rhee.  I have been in various schools and seen unbelievable chaos and foolishness up close and personal.  I am not saying that there aren’t great teachers and staff at DCPS right now but the system is in a state of crisis.  I won’t to attempt to tell you in this blog all the things that I think need improvement; instead, I’m going to tell you about my experience growing up in DCPS.

I loved school.  I didn’t like assignments, tests, deadlines, and reports but I loved to learn and I loved my teachers.  I know my teachers loved me too!  My schools were in very old buildings.  In fact, my elementary school was so old and creepy that students shared “urban legends” that often had us scared to go to the bathrooms alone.  I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone knew each other and generations of family members went to the same schools.  Despite physical appearances, I had great teachers who provided a great education with love, discipline, and integrity.

 * I took my daughter to a huge annual event on the National Mall when she was about 5 or 6.  My pre-kindergarten teacher was there.  She recognized me 20 years later, hugged me and then asked is my daughter was my daughter.  I said yes and she said I know she’s just as smart as you were at her age.  She then turns to my daughter and tell my daughter how smart that she knows she is, how important school is, how she believed she would do well in like because she had a mother who loved her, and on and on!  Do you see shy I love her?!  You can’t teach that in college!    

* Last summer, The Teen Toolbox, LLC had a book drive to benefit Howard University Hospital Pediatric Unit.  My kindergarten teacher brought her grandson to the event.  I loved her enough to search for her on facebook.  I wanted to let her know how much I appreciated her.  She has since connected with dozens of students she taught in elementary school who are now in their thirties and forties.  She remembers us all and we’re happy to be back in touch.

 * My paternal grandmother didn’t want me to attend the neighborhood public junior high school so I went to a Catholic school for 7^th grade.  On the evening of the 1^st day of school, the Principal at the neighborhood junior high called my mother on the phone and told her I didn’t show up to school!  He had actually looked at the registration and attendance lists personally.  This was also a man stood at the entrance of the driveway after school and students back in the building to get books if you weren’t taking books home that day. He knew us all by name and would drive through our neighborhoods after school and on weekends to check on us.

My 11^th grade US History teacher still teaches and coaches at my old high school. He was nicknamed “the Motivator” because he pushed us all to do our best.  He was so encouraging that I wrote a paper about him my freshman year in college.  When I was considering a public charter school for my daughter I called him and he gave me background on the schools I was considering.  When I was considering whether I wanted to go into teaching next year, I shot him an email.  He responded with very detailed tips and instructions and encouraged me to consider my alma mater first.  Of course I would.

What I wish is that every student (and not just DCPS students) have the same with great teachers that I did with great teachers.  Things weren’t perfect but I received a great education.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, YES, my DCPS education absolutely prepared me to compete in the college classroom, in graduate school, and in the work place!