Sharing Web Resources

I have found a great organization that I have become very passionate about the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) which has a mission to improve and advance the quality of life for black children and their families through education and advocacy. They focus on the impact of early childhood education, literacy, health care and welfare, and family engagement in black children. I choose this organization because being Black and having Black children I think that it important for me to be aware of the issues and trends in the Black community regarding education, politics, health, and family. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement the NBCDI has been going strong for the more than 40 years. They have a reputation it's work in early care, education, and welfare.

It's 2014 Spring newsletter issue has a wonderful article dedicated to the health and wellness of young black men. Personally, this was important to me because I have two black stepsons who are turning four this year and will be approaching kindergarten. I want to ensure that they will have all the resources they need to be successful and ready for school. I know that this is important for them to stay ahead of the course to ensure they don't fall too far behind. I don't want to see then struggle through their academic careers. I felt this article could provide me valuable information that can help me to assist them better. 

Professionally, I connected to the article because this year I had 16 boys in my class out of 26 students. Have a black male dominated room prove to present some challenges for me this year. One of the things I learn was that I have to alter my teaching technique to accommodate the unique needs of the majority of my class population. One of the things that the article suggest was mentoring and I can agree that was the turning point for my classroom as well. I employed many of the fathers to take an active role in my classroom. They would come and volunteer, work one-on-one with students, and model appropriate behavior. This helped me tremendously. They boys had a different respect for the men who came and volunteered their time. I really contribute this kind of mentoring to the success of my classroom this year. 

What I learn from this article this week was how important it is to have good role model for children to look up to. Young child look towards adult and older children assess who they are and who they can become. For young Black boys it is important that they have some alternatives of role models to look up to besides athletes, music artists, or movie stars. The positive impact it is for them to see members of their direct community that are Black males empowering themselves to do great things is inspirational. This is a great organization deeply rooted in equality for all; making it their mission to directly impact the lives of Black children.

This is the CEO of the NBCDI and her views on school readiness and kindergarten.

Check it out!

http://www.nbcdi.org/