The end of the 2015-2016 school year is fast approaching!  For the past nine and half months teachers have been hard at work, teaching and facilitating learning for their students. Teachers, a big "thank you" for all your diligence and hard-work this school year. Your diligence has made a difference in the lives of your students. The next two weeks will be filled with end of year procedures that many times can be very challenging for you and your students.
 
For many educators, this time of year involves, taking stock of students’ progress, reflecting on practice and closing out the school year on final exams and assessments.  Additionally, teachers have the tasks of purging classroom of used up supplies and giving away supplies that have not been used not just this school year but perhaps the last school year too. These supplies definitely need to be given away :) Amidst all these, there are well earned graduations to celebrate. Congratulations graduates! Go and share your sparkle!
 
For many students summer time is a time of exploring new activities that lends itself to continuous learning.  On the other hand, some students do not have the opportunity for continuous learning. These students need the extra boost from teachers and parents to keep on learning. Teachers can give these students summer projects that will facilitate their learning during the summer months. Parents can help oversee these summer projects and/ or design summer activities for their children based on their interests and strengths. Furthermore, parents can plan summer reading activities to keep students’ brain active during the summer months. Parents, please make every effort to reduce time spent watching television during the summer and increase activities that require critical thinking and cognitive processing. Many public libraries have summer reading programs to ensure students are actively learning during the summer months. If you are a parent that lives in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area and you need new books for your child/ren to read during the summer, we will be glad to send you free books. Send us an email at info@takebackministries.com with your name, phone number and mailing address. These new books are available on a first-come, first served basis. 
 
Teachers, here is a link to some summer project ideas and activities for your students to take home for the break. Summer time is also a good time for educators to improve practice through reflection and professional development. Here are some suggestions to promote continuous learning over the summer:
 
1. Coursera is an education platform that partners with top universities and organizations worldwide, to offer courses online for anyone to take.
 
2. EdX offers interactive online classes from some of the best universities around the world. Online courses from MITx, HarvardX, BerkeleyX, UTx and many other universities are available to access.
 
3. Regional Educational Service Centers – If you live in Texas, you have access to quality professional development through any of the twenty educational service centers.  Click on your specific county to visit your geographical educational service center and browse summer learning opportunities.
 
Learning does not have to stop during summer months. Teachers, students and parents can have a relaxing summer while still learning. This is to a terrific summer! Happy Learning! Love & Blessings!!

 
                "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow."
                                                                - Anthony J. D’Angelo 

My tank of gratitude is overflowing! I am blown away by the goodness of God! My heart echoes James 1:17 NLT “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”  Thank you global family and friends for the outpour of love and well wishes in celebrating my born day.  I pray double blessings on you and your families. The fact that God has connected us is not just wonderful but a testament to the richness we share because of His goodness.  

My adorable husband surprised me with a New York birthday! He has mastered the art of throwing surprise events and beats me to it!  The way he demonstrates Christ love inspires me to live this one life to the glory of God. I am a better person all round because of God working in and through him. Thank you, Honey! You absolutely rock! So here are reflections of my day, planned by my husband and daughters.  We got a good fill on the "Big Apple" :) 
 
The day started out on the NBC Today Show. It was so much fun meeting fellow birthday celebrants from across the country and new people. Here is the link to the entire photos for this week's Today Show May 11 Today Show (scroll down to see photos just from the May 11 show). We represented Texas well; Hubby and I at the Today Show. 
 
Next stop was the Kathy Lee & Hoda Show at the NBC Shops. I had the chance to test my pop culture prowess as I played Who Knew? with Kathy Lee Gifford. Graduating three kids from high school and college paid off on the graduation quiz I answered on Beverly Hills, 90210 character who almost did not graduate. Check out the video of the quiz on the show: Who Knew?
 
Afternoon was Broadway Theater fun! Oh the joys of divine connections. Seated with us, was a precious couple from Sydney, Australia. They also have three adult children. Fiddler on the Roof was super fantastic! The storyline gave me a new appreciation for my Jewish friends.

We visited Times Square Church founded by Pastor David Wilkerson-author of the The Cross and the Switchblade. Times Square Church is known worldwide for the many nationalities that worship there. Evening was spent exploring the acclaimed subway transportation of New York City. The day ended with a Malaysian dinner.  From the precious people and places, I thoroughly enjoyed the eclectic flare of New York City. I will be back for more fun adventures. Thanks again family and friends, I look forward to celebrating you.  Love & Blessings!!

​Some weeks ago a friend sent me an article on the new $20 bill with Harriet Tubman on the face of the new note and President Andrew Jackson on the back. I kept it for my next blog post. Mother’s Day weekend is an appropriate time to share some reflections on that article. Currency is more than a transaction validator. Currency reveals the identity of a nation. For example, American currency has the inscription “In God we trust” that denotes the declaration that God was on the Union side of the civil war.  
 
Harriet Tubman was a woman of deep faith. Born into slavery, she escaped and became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She worked tirelessly to help slaves escape to freedom. During the civil war, she was active as a nurse, cook and scout in the Union’s side.  Her service in helping hundreds of slaves to freedom earned her the nickname “Moses.”  Just like Moses, Tubman had a strong conviction on justice and liberty. Fast forward to 2016, our nation will have Harriet Tubman grace the front of $20 bills. This speaks to the value of her contribution to American history that it is comparable to that of President Andrew Jackson. Though it will take a decade or more before the bill is in circulation, however Tubman's contribution is now part of our rich history as a nation.
 
Across our nation’s schools, students will take home this week various artifacts made in class to celebrate their mothers. I have stored boxes of various artifacts our girls made while they were young. They are mementos that I hold very dear. Teachers help direct students on these wonderful creations for their mothers. Teachers reveal the nobility of mankind. Like currency, teachers spend of themselves in many angles. From their actual dollars, to their talents and knowledge, teachers are living currencies. Without our teachers, there is no learning or any type of schooling that can happen.  Let's remove teachers from the equation of education, and we are left with a zero as the answer.
 
To all my fellow educators that are mothers- Happy Mother’s Day! Be sure to take time and enjoy yourself because you are doubly amazing! Love & Blessings!! 
 
References

5 faith facts about Harriet Tubman: ‘American Moses’ is coming to $20 bill. (2016, April 20). Retrieved May 05, 2016, from http://goo.gl/l4v1ij
 
The New $20 Note. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 206, from https://goo.gl/qFioTe
U.S. DEPARTMENT of the TREASURY. U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing