Check out my new Be the BOSS - Bold, Open-Minded, Smart, and Sophisticated Journal 

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Setting Classroom Expectations, Establishing Norms. 

Check out the video: Creating Class Norms (EL Education YouTube video)

Watch this video. Set Expectations Together with Students  (Opportunity Culture YouTube Video)

Check out this article. Setting Expectations from the Center for Teaching Innovation

Edutopia Article: Establishing Classroom Norms to Enhance Students’ Collective Efficacy

Edutopia: 5 Minutes of Daily Reflection, All Year Long

Journaling... a healthy release.

 What does the data 📈 say about journaling 📖 and reflection 🧐?  

Well let's find out! 📚👩🏽‍💻

Oh hey... I know it has been a long time since I spent some time journaling or blogging or just writing in general. 😜 I am still trying to make it a habit! Bare with me...

At any rate, a couple of weekends ago I had an opportunity to participate as a guest panelist at the Women's Leadership Conference: Your Passion. Your Purpose. Your Journey. hosted by DREAM Education Consulting. This was the second year for the conference and Dallas was the second stop on the National tour! I am super excited for my girl Dr. Royond Hendrix💝 in this endeavor. She is truly in her element and her glow🌟 is absolute proof of it! I can't wait to see her bloom🌷 even more‼️ Click the link👆🏽 to learn more about her company, her passion, and her journey! 

Check out this clip from the keynote and breakout sessions. 

But anyway let's get back to journaling! 

It was at the conference that I got the push that I needed to continue through my own journaling experience and to create a journal📓 for NEW🍏 TEACHERS... something that has been in my head for quite some time now.  #GetOutOfYourHead 

I began journaling as a novice teacher about 20 years ago as a way to document and keep up with what was going on in my classroom. Not only was I documenting student behavior, but most importantly, my own behavior and habits.  

Little did I know then that my own journals would be the foundation for my coaching practices.  As I re-read some of my earlier journal entries, BOY🤦🏽‍♀️ was I horrible at times❗️  But, I can honestly say that rehearsal, practice, and reflective journaling have been essential elements to me becoming an innovative and skilled teacher/instructional leader and coach.  

So... what does the data📈 say about journaling? 

In one study conducted at The Pennsylvania State University by J. Smyth, PhD; J. Johnson, PhD; B. Auer, PhD; Erik Lehman, MS; G. Talamo, MD; and C.Sciamanna, MD, MPH it was found that,

 "Patients evidenced moderate sustained adherence to Web-based intervention. Positive Affect Journaling (PAJ) was associated with decreased mental distress and increased well-being relative to baseline. PAJ was also associated with less depressive symptoms and anxiety after 1 month and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care." 

"Web-based PAJ may serve as an effective intervention for mitigating mental distress, increasing well-being, and enhancing physical functioning among medical populations. PAJ may be integrated into routine medical care to improve quality of life."

 In other words, the study showed that journaling seemed to decrease worry and anxiety relative to previous observations.

In this article in the New York Times, I found several points of agreement; one being that writing ✍🏽 every day can become ruminant according to Dr. James W. Pennebaker, a social psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin. According to Dr. Pennebaker, set aside 3-4 days to write about a particular topic, that may be weighing on you, for about 15-20 minutes a day. If that does not help, stop 🛑 doing it and seek help by doing something else, such as seeing your pastor or a therapist.

 

I could not agree more! Journaling may not work for everyone. So, try different things until you find what works for you! 🥰 The key is to heal and be at peace. ☮️ The less stress we have in our lives, the longer we live! 🧘🏽‍♀️

How often do you write? 

So, this is where I struggle the most!  I was trying to write every day, and it just seems so hard even though I have so much to say. Just pinning down a solid thought is hard to do sometimes. But, I had an epiphany🤩 while reading this article. I have been going about it wrong all of this time! Instead of looking at writing as a chore or a habit, I should be looking at it as an emotional release. ❤️I must admit, that when I am writing the most, I remember the most and while that often takes me into some dark places🌪, I also know that I have to get through the dark places to see the light. 🔅This is a process and like any other process, you have to trust it.  

New Teacher Journal coming soon... 

 

 

20 oz Beeswax candle

Speak Life...

Good Monday Morning Sunshine😎! Yes, I know it has been a couple of weeks since my last post. I have been busy with trying to close the school year out, my first speaking engagement, and of course trying to get out of my own head! 🤦🏽‍♀️ ...of which the latter is the hardest thing to do! 

But, we will not dwell on that today‼️ 🙃 So, with that being said, my first official speaking engagement... 

On April 27, 2024, I had the honor of being the Mistress of Ceremony for the Luxurious Lambda Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated 50th Chapter Anniversary Soiree.

I was initiated into the chapter 31 years ago while an undergraduate student at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. I spent 4 years on the campus as a member of the sorority. During that time, I held several offices including the office of Chapter Secretary and President.  I have so many memories serving the sorority as an undergraduate student. ❤️ 

Let's get back to the speaking engagement! I had the most awesome time MCing the 50th chapter chartering of Lambda Nu! The sorors looked amazing and the love that oozed throughout the building and amongst the sorors was indescribable. In fact the entire weekend was amazing! Although I did not get an opportunity to participate in too many activities due to prior engagements, the pictures and stories have painted a vivid picture of a weekend filled with joy and sisterhood! 🔺🐘 I LOVE MY DST! #OHToBeADeltaGirl. 

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Of course I started this post yesterday! Well actually the day before, but hey at least I started and now I am back! 

The last couple of days have been busy, but not in the best ways. I have been testing all week on my job and yesterday I had to go to the doctor for an allergic reaction I am having on my face. Isn't that just lovely since I have the speaking engagement on Sunday! 😒

Last night I spent some time speaking and listening to the Women of Empowerment that are DREAM Consulting! Dr. Royond Hendrix has been one of my girlfriends for quite some time now. I am very proud of this chic! We have seen a few ups and downs and at the end we have SEEN THEM THROUGH and will continue to see them through. DrRo, as we call her has had this vision for at least 10 years, and last year she was able to bring it to fruition. I was not able to participate physically last year because of a prior engagement, but guess what? This year I will be in the building as a panelist during the Multicultural Circle.  The circle will consist of several other chosen panelist and a few conference participants. I am STOKED! I have done a few forums on my own, but not so much as a participant... more on the organizational side. I have a couple of podcasts that I have started, but have not been consistent about. Yes, suffering from the Imposter Syndrome at it's finest. Ironically,  there will be a session on that very subject. I CAN NOT wait! 

Well it is 7am now, and I really need to get going so that I am not late for this job that I am completely over! However, I need to continue to make it happen. Until later... I promise I will publish this note this afternoon - evening.  
 

That was yesterday, April 25, 2024...  The day got real crazy around 10am. 😞 My grandmother called me to inform me that she was headed to my aunt's house because she and her caregiver were fighting! Well if you know my aunt, then you know this is not surprising. More than a few people, family and friends, have had run-ins with her over the years. So much to the point, that not many people will actually deal with her. 

At any rate, I asked my grandmother did she need me to come. Of course she said no, but did she really mean "no"? Hell no! She's 95 years old and she has been dealing with this 💩 for 65 years. SHE. IS. TIRED!. But, most importantly, my grandmother does not deserve this! At this point in her life, she deserves peace and happiness. After all, she has raised her children, then her grandchildren, and she was most helpful with her great-grandchildren! 

Keep Going!

Keep Going!

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A post shared by Denise Washington (@deniseisvegan)

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2PcLIluG4d/?igsh=aGhhZG1peWV6OTZr

Came across this video this morning and the message is simple, never allow others to bring you down. Keep fighting, you’ve got this! #Resiliance 

Yea, yea, yea... I wrote that several days (April 14) ago and never published it! Shame on me. Needless to say, forming this habit of writing everyday has proven to be daunting as I knew it would be. Don't get me wrong, I write everyday because that is the nature of my job as an educator, however, my goal is to write something for myself everyday. 

Despite not publishing my thoughts on this particular subject last week, it is still relevant to my journey today.  Today is April 22, 2024 and Earth Day. I woke up this morning around the usual time, 4am... I'm not sure where and when that habit began. All I know is that I have yet to break it. I typically can't go back to sleep easily, so I just get up and start my day most times.  This is the time that I try to write. I have come to the conclusion that it is the best time to get this done while having coffee! My mind is clear and I can concentrate better before the day's madness sets in. 

The last few weeks at school have been chaotic to say the least. Kids have been fighting all over the place, we've started state testing, prom, state championships, etc... you name it, it's going on! My businesses have been slow, and I just haven't had the energy to really put the effort needed in them. I'm thinking about retiring more and more each day, but knowing that I can't financially even if it were time. I still have a couple of more years.  With that being said, I've been trying to learn more and more about investing into the stock market.  I opened an investment account during the pandemic and was contributing regularly up until I was fired from my job after the road rage incident. (I'll tell y'all about that later.) I don't contribute much each month, just $100 and round-ups... gotta start somewhere. I'm working on knocking down my CC debt. I will contribute more when I can... I allow Acorns to pick the first ETFs in my portfolio, but recently selected my first two... an energy company (can't remember the name right now) and META.  I've been following a fellow that goes by the moniker Wallstreet Trapper. He is a good teacher, relatable.  Follow him on Instagram here. 

Time to get ready to take on the world. Have a wonderful #Earthday🌎! Tell someone you love them! 💖

One more thing, I'm pretty excited about a couple of speaking events I have coming up! I will be the Mistress of Ceremony (MC) for the Lambda Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s 50th chapter anniversary. I'm pretty excited about returning to the chapter I was initiated into 31 years ago tomorrow, April 23, 1993!🔺🐘  Later this summer, I will be a panelist and vendor for the DREAM Education Women's Empowerment Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX.  When it's your time, it's your time. Slow and steady is the pace... 

4/5/24 Running on Empty

 Yesterday I had the best intentions of writing. I'm trying to develop a routine to write something every day that is not work related. So, I had my ideas together for my topic and was playing around with the words that I wanted to put on canvas. But-umm guess what? I NEVER GOT OUT OF MY HEAD! 🤦🏽‍♀️

Today is a new day. New intentions and expectations have been set.  I wanted to put something down about friendships and how they evolve over time. The COVID pandemic of 2020 was a trying time for everyone. Relationships were formed while others dissolved. People had to come to harsh realities about their lives and how they were living them. We had to grapple with sickness, loneliness, and death. But, what a lot of us didn't expect, at least I didn't, was that many of our friendships/relationships were conditional or that they were just not as solid as we thought they were. 

Well that was yesterday (4/4) and I still didn't publish what I wrote! 🤦🏽‍♀️  At least I did write something! PROGRESS! Today my goal is to hit publish before the day ends! 🌞

Well it’s 11:43 pm and I am exhausted! Today was hectic at work, but I made it through thanks to my office mate, Kat.  Tomorrow will be just as busy. I will start the day at the high school for test prep;  after that I’m headed to sale some candles at PQC, my Alma mater. This weekend will kick off Founders Week. Tomorrow is the HS stepshow, and our step team will compete. Later in the evening is the National Pan-Hellenic Council Stepshow. Haven’t done that since undergrad. Wayyy too many people and too loud for me. 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’ve been an old lady for a long time! 😆 I’m rambling, so let me hit publish! Stay tuned and #SpeakLife 💋 

It's Not My Job... Oh, But It Is!

 It's Not My Job...

I'm kind of ashamed to say that I had this habit of saying, "That's not my job!" when it came to doing stuff that I just didn't want to do as a teacher. 

Like teaching stuff from the previous year or several years prior.

You know you've said it a time or two yourself!😜 We all do it. Well, guess what? It is our job to teach📚 whatever the babies need to know. It doesn't really matter if the previous teacher failed to do it. That is on them. It is up to you to pick up the slack where others left off. I know that it is unfair, but how else can you teach what you need to teach? This doesn't just apply to education and educators either. As you know, a lot slip through the cracks and these are the co-workers that you complain about. Show them grace... 💝

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and we celebrated my son's 29th birthday. Today is what most consider April Fool's Day. It is a day filled with jokes and pranks. I hope that everyone enjoys their day and will take everything in stride. Remember to #ShowGrace #SpeakLife. 

Hopefully, today I will be better about getting out of my own head and putting it down in writing. Being consistent is not easy.  It has to be intentional.  Set a goal and develop a routine... 

This was taken at the Great Wall of China in 2019 just about 7 months before the COVID shut down. 

 Develop a routine. Eat right. Enjoy life is what they tell you. Ha! Easier said than done right? 😂

The hardest thing for me to do lately is to decide how and what I want to do when I grow up?  I don't know if it is because I am getting close to retirement, yet I am still fairly young, or do I feel like I haven't tapped into my purpose yet. 

I have been doing this thing called education for so long that I am sure that I don't know anything else to do. To be quite honest, do I really want to do something brand new? Hell no! Why would I? I have put a lot of time and effort into my career.  Now, I am ready to do it my way. I have been afraid since I began this journey to do it on my own as an entrepreneur.  What I should have realized a long time ago is that I am a risk taker naturally and I am also resilient as hell! So, why has it taken me so long to make this decision? I don't know.  But, lately I have been hearing this one particular phrase in my head, GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD! That's a sign right? I need to stop over thinking and underperforming, and start standing on business! I started the year feeling a shift in the atmosphere. IT IS TIME TO MAKE ANOTHER LEAP OF FAITH. Let's see where this leap will land us. I'm super excited that you are here to talk it through and hash it out with me. It won't all be easy, in fact, I'm sure it will be quite challenging. Change is never easy. I am built for it though, so let's goooo! 

Why did I post this particular quote today? I posted it to concentrate on the last four words, "...that will support you." It's good to surround yourself with people that are positive, because good vibes are contagious.  I wanted to concentrate on the last four words because it is important that your circle genuinely supports you.  When I say genuinely, I mean like for real for real... like they aren't afraid to have difficult and hard conversations with you. I mean that they won't talk to everyone else about you except you. I mean the type of people that will hold you accountable. You know, those ride or die type people that want the best for all of you, they believe that iron sharpens iron, that we are stronger together. Not those fake ass friends that just want to be around you to see what you will do next... you know those folk that spy and despise, waiting on your demise.  Be very careful of those that smile in your face, but secretly mock and ridicule you with others when you aren't around. Be careful of the "Mean Girl" silliness that can come from these type relationships. 

At the beginning of this year, I chose a new theme for the year.  It's a simple formula, DISCIPLINE + FOCUS = INCREASE! This year I want to scale my candle business, Custom Candles by Daphne LLC, and add at least another stream of income by speaking and writing.  I have been talking about writing and publishing a book for years. Lawd knows I have enough material and experiences to write volumes! However, starting has been the biggest obstacle.  Call it procrastination of call it lack of focus... whatever it is, I've got to get out of my head and over it.  One of my late friends, Korey Davis, once told me to write something every day. Well, I am trying to honor your memory, Scoob, and do just that.  Develop a routine they say...