Discover the Hypnotizing Heritage of Charming New Orleans
Cost includes...
travel from Merritt Island to New Orleans and back (accommodations can be made for a prior night’s stay or alternate pick-up locations) hotel for six nights in the French Quarter Registration fees Writing workshop a copy of published book Writers on Wheels: The New Orleans Tour wine & hors d’vours in a New Orleans's home Wednesday night French Quarter Tour Southern lunch and narrated cruise on the Natchez Steamboat Garden District Tour Cemetery and Voo Doo Tour Friday night Cajun Dinner Night Swamp Tour Creole Tomato Festival Zydeco Music Festival Preservation Hall set Hurricane (drink) at Pat O'Brien's Tuesday night dinner at the Praline Connection
Total cost $675.00 based on double occupancy* *We can help you find a roommate, if you are not booking with a friend. Single rates are $330.00 more based on availability
Payment Schedule January 31 - nonrefundable registration fee $50.00 March 15* - $210.00 April 15 - $210.00 May 15 - $215.00
*Refunds after March 15 are not available. In extreme emergency cases, up to 50% of your payment may be reimbursed.
I captured this photo earlier this year on the side of an eatery off Wahnish Way near the campus of Florida A&M University. It seems quite apropos now. I have published only one other post to this site regarding this year's historic election, and it called for supporters of all candidates to provide links to positive videos and messages of hope. I posted a link to the Will I Am song with Zoe Kravitz. My 2-year-old loved the beat, the energy and the spirit of the song. Who wouldn't?
However, on this auspicious occasion I am somewhat perplexed about the state of American Education. I think it criminal the seemingly calculated treatment of disadvantaged youth entering our crumbling school systems. How can a third grader need drop out prevention? I am so furious with our lackadaisical attitude toward the education of 'other folks' children that I could swear. Expletives, won't solve any problems, but sometimes it is more professional to swear than to cry.
Teaching at a Historically Black College/University makes my heart often more heavy. Students, and not the ubiquitous choir members who always receive sermons from on high, but those who lack compassion, character, intelligence and a sincere desire to read beyond course requirements, to investigate their own intuitions, and to inspire students to greatness. I am a firm believer that if I find a teacher unworthy of teaching my son, he or she should NOT be allowed to teach anybody's son or daughter. We have too much at stake to continue this road to the ultimate wasteland. I have unfortunately witnessed students put more money and effort into partying and attending homecoming activities than attending conferences at student rates that are almost always less than $50. I have witnessed students walk across the stage graduation after graduation and not have completed and or passed all their coursework, passed their required certification and general knowledge exams, or have a grade point average worthy of attending school for, on average, 6 years. And these students want to teach? Why?
How did they get so far without someone saying, this profession is at a most critical time in history and we can ill afford to have such low caliber students enter our most challenging, underfunded, overcrowded, most needy, majority-minority classrooms, even though we know this is where the vast number of minority beginning teachers become employed. We must say no!
It is also perplexing how many small-town USA voters found it okay to say aloud, I have no reason not to support Obama other than the fact that he's a N******. WHAT! How dare you! I have no qualms with those who tow the party line. That's your right as a US citizen. That's my right as a US citizen. But the blatant arrogance of fading dinosaurs who fail to realize that all species must either adapt or die, and their belief that "this land is their land" more than it is "my land" ticks me off. Last night was the culmination of many tears, prayers, boycotts, marches, watch night services, and other vigils of hope and constant steadfastness. It was also the day that, unbeknownst to him, my 2-year-old can say with conviction, even arrogance, that HE too, can become the President of the United States. However, paradoxical to that revelation, as his parents, we will certainly consider how the towns of perspective colleges and universities that he may contemplate voted in this election before packing him up and sending him off. He's too precious and precocious to leave to the "kindness of strangers" especially those who will forever see a N*****.
We can simply not rest on Obama's, excuse me, President-elect Obama's deeds, credentials and feats. We must assist. It was impressed upon me during the inauguration of FAMU's 10th president that we must vow to pledge our undying support to Ammons to ensure the university's success first, his, second.
I will be afforded the opportunity to travel once again to our nation's capital in April 2009 for the annual NCTE Day on The Hill as a newly appointed member of the National Council of Teachers of English SLATE Steering Committee. It was in April 2008 as the Florida Council's SLATE representative that I captured this photo of Obama's placard located outside of an office that was under renovation at the time. Clearly, this office will be occupied by someone else. However, the call to The Hill in April supersedes all waxing nostalgia. We are committed and we have a purpose. Those who journey there from the Sunshine State have a dual purpose this year. We are seeking support to begin a Florida Day on The Hill in Tallahassee for teachers, especially English teachers, to meet and discuss the impact and treatment of NCLB legislation at the state level and other pieces of legislation that impact English teachers, instructors, and professors, alike.
Our kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and young fictive kin are at risk of failing and forever falling. Your kids, these kids and my kid are simply too important for dropout rates to continue to soar while impeding their ability to rise, spread their wings and fly!
What an institute! I hope you enjoyed the sessions, speakers, and camaraderie. If you have suggestions, ideas, comments, or concerns about this year's PDI or even PDI 2009, do not hesitate to contact any FCTE board member. You may visit/join FCTE-SLATE's Google Group or use the comment feature on FCTE's Blog to leave your message. There are other websites for teachers to preview as well as a spot for Florida English teachers' blogs and class websites.
In the column at the right under 'Favorite Websites' there are other sites that may be of interest to you. Here are the links to websites and documents discussed, demonstrated or alluded to during either of the sessions I participated (and even some I attended). You can find copies of PowerPoint presentations and other information regarding the conference on my Google Site .
The following video (made with movie maker) provides a glimpse into the annual event. Members of FCTE are in the planning stages of a Florida Advocacy Day! If interested, contact Susan Houser - susan_15ym@yahoo.com or Clarissa West-White - clarissa.westwhite@famu.edu.
This month's featured website is the creation of TaalamAcey who is "widely considered to be the central figure in this generation of Spoken Word Poetry." Although there are a few typos here and there, do not hold that against the talented poet. Explore his website and listen to sample works. Even if you decide this his creative taunts are not your "cup o' tea" research the work of other prominent artists that he showcases http://cdbaby.com/style/220. Whether this genre is new to you or you are an experienced member of its ever growing community, this site is a great place to start. It features, for example, the work of Alixa and Naima http://cdbaby.com/cd/alixanaima who were featured guests at AmiriBaraka's lecture at Florida State University a few years ago. As the saying goes, 'you ain't seen nothing yet' if you have not seen spoken poetry performed by raw, talented individuals with a message to speak or sermon to preach. Even in Tallahassee, there are frequent displays of spoken word events thanks in part to Black on Black Rhyme.
Even though I have assigned blogs to several classes over the course of the year, I have consistently procrastinated in creating one myself - until now. After attending the Florida Council of Teachers of English (FCTE) Professional Development Conference this past weekend, I have been rejuvenated and inspired to create.
This blog will comprise general observations and information related to all things English. This includes, but is not limited to: the teaching of English/Language Arts, teacher education, testing, websites of use to teachers, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), strategies, activities, links to other sites of interest, and commentary on upcoming conferences.
As the world shrinks and the employment landscape of America continues to evolve, it is necessary that now more than ever English/Language Arts teachers are adequately trained to assist students in obtaining their dreams, their hearts' desire.
We must open the world to students, we must expand their literary horizons, we must create meaningful assignments that remain with students well beyond their due dates, we must challenge them and we must make them think. Teachers must also remain committed to their students' success while maintaining professionalism and championing needed reforms. Teachers must remain current on pedagogical shifts and discoveries while facing and conquering their personal fears related to technology and "edutainment" as coined by KRS-1.
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