December 10, 2011

Still a Need for HBCU’s in the 21st Century






Still a Need for HBCU’s in the 21st Century Part 1

“If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed
by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he
will never become strong enough to get out of
the ghetto.” Carter G. Woodson

Having graduated from an HBCU (South Carolina State
University) and now working at Edward Waters College,
the oldest HBCU in Florida, I learned from past and
current experience there still is a need for these
culturally diverse educational institutions.

HBCU’s are under attack it seems by the federal
government, state governments and none Black
institutions that see Black students only as
financial aid receipts not as potential scholars
and graduates.

The need for Historically Black Colleges and
Universities can be heard in media circles like
the Tom Joyner Morning Show,blackamericaweb.com,
hbcusonline.com/, hbcuconnect.com/ and
uncf.org/aboutus/hbcus.asp that consistently
promote the benefits and societal contributions
of HBCU’s. The need for HBCU’s is evident in
the understanding that students that lack
exposure to advanced technology and technical
instruction still need traditional methods of
hands on learning and instructor led
discussion and dialogue; this is still available
at HBCU’s.

Higher education institutions embracing technology
lead the way for digital learning environments
(DLE) and online platforms that demand technical
skills. The unfortunate reality is not every
student graduating from high school has sufficient
technology knowledge to be successful in a high
tech classroom of the21st century. The cost of
technology implementation and supporting infra-
structure along with obtaining and keeping teachers
that use and can teach with technology are not
always available.

Those that have technical skills move to high
paid jobs or seek benefits from non Black insti-
tutions that may pay more, but do not support
students lacking technology skills.

Many high schools do not have the resources
to provide advanced technology instruction
especially in many urban environments. The
access to hardware and a sufficient ratio of
computers to students, again students in
particularly urban schools may have sporadic
use of computers for academic and research work.

Minority students more than their white counter
parts embrace mobile technology that is acquired
through cell and smart phones. This type of
access is not the same as with standard desktop
or laptop use and guided by an instructional
model that is created for urban students to
be successful. Mobile technology is the way most
youth communicate so instruction should be molded
to meet this need.

When transitioning from high school to higher
education HBCU’s serve a purpose in providing a
needed traditional approach to providing
educational services that many students still
need. Even non Black students from urban areas
benefit from attendance. Data shows that non
Black students are accepted at HBCU’s from urban
high schools have. They have lower opportunities
for entrance in traditional white universities
so enroll and graduate from HBCU’s where they
are embraced as “family”. This is seen as a
revere cultural discrimination as more white
students seek entrance into HBCU’s.

Critics of HBCU’s (mostly non Black) educational
institutions claim HBCU’s have “no legitimate
purpose” (Ebony.com 2011), dispelling these
potentially racial statements, data shows 25%
and higher of Bachelor’s degrees of Blacks
come from HBCU’s and a large number of
advanced degrees are earned.

Instructors at HBCU’s encourage students to
seek advanced degrees because they understand
the challenges Blacks face even with earning
a Bachelor’s degree. HBCU’s although have
lower entrance standards this can be
justified because young adults and adults
are given opportunities to earn their degrees
and provided support in a nurturing
and culturally/ethnically familiar environment.

My experience as an instructor at EWC an HBCU
in Jacksonville, Florida is that students
are unique because of their age and maturity.
Many already have families, jobs and other
responsibilities; yes there are the “traditional”
freshmen, first generation students, challenged
students, those looking for a “second chance”
in society.

Many HBCU’s were founded after slavery and
based on doctrines of religious expression
and spiritual empowerment. Education for Blacks
began in the Bible, reading, literacy and
comprehension was started even before federal
and state mandates for instruction in public
schools.

Second chances were understood by Blacks when
slavery was abolished and learning opportunities
where welcomed even those that were elderly wanted
the oppourtunity to learn.

In biblical scriptures from Jesus to Mohammed
second chances are granted, how can educational
institutions deny those that make mistakes
in their youth continue to plague them into adulthood.
HBCU’s see the potential to grow, the ability of
students to mature and the possibility to be
productive in society if only people are given
a second chance.

A quote that has Islamic origins, “Whoever will
not endure the affliction of being taught, will
stay forever in the debasement of ignorance.”
END OF PART 1

December 7, 2011

Jacksonville Giants Treat DCPS Students


Jacksonville Giants Treat DCPS Students

William Jackson, Andrew Robinson Elementary

Duval County Public School students were treated
to a rollercoaster of athletic prowess and comical
entertainment as the Jacksonville Giants battled
The Gulf Coast Flash.

The game was close during the professional basketball
contest; DCPS students enjoyed the opportunity to
see a professional basketball team which inspired
their own dreams of becoming professional athletes.
The Jacksonville Giants provided vouchers for the
schools they had an opportunity to visit before the
season started. Andrew Robinson was the first school
to be visited by the Giants.

During the game each team’s mascot engaged in
playful antics bringing cheers and laughter from the
fans. As MR. BIGGS the Giants mascot walked the
stands children happily gave him high fives and hugs.
The energy felt electrifying in Veterans Memorial
Arena in Jacksonville, Florida and kept the over 3,500
in attendance motivated and cheering for a win by
the Giants.

MR. BIGGS recently visited Andrew Robinson
Elementary along with several players from the
Giants and other DCPS schools as a partnership between
the Jacksonville Giants and the school system.
This partnership is a positive fit for encouraging
students to work hard for academic success. The
Giants are providing role models, and mentors that
display sportsmanship and a winning attitude, and
just as importantly the importance of gaining a quality
education by graduating from high school and going
on to college/university or vocational school.

The Jacksonville Giants provided a fantastic finish
with a win three (3) seconds left that had fans jumping
from their seats and a thunderous roar.
As the crowds left several students from Andrew Robinson
Elementary and R.L. Brown Elementary happily and
proudly commented they wanted to go to college and
play basketball, then come back to Jacksonville to play
for the Giants. This is a great testament to the importance
and power of academics and athletics.

Jacksonville Giants information can be found at:
jacksonvillegiants.com/

Game pictures by William Jackson can be found at:
http://photobucket.com/giantsfirstwin

December 5, 2011

Supporting Art Education in Duval County Public Schools


Supporting Art Education in Duval County Public Schools

Support Art Teachers in Duval County check out the Facebook page.
Support Art Education in DCPS

Supporting education typically means supporting traditional
reading, mathematics and literacy, but supporting education
also means giving credit to supporting educational resources
that Art Education brings to the classroom and overall learning environment to any school.

A diverse learning environment embraces multiple elements that
bring out the creative abilities in students that encourage
students to use their minds not just for the cognitive development
of the traditional teacher student relationship. Art education
allows students to “think” differently, use their imaginations and “exercise” other areas of the brain. Art teachers are
architects of human development. Seeing the artistic potential
in children, then guiding the artistic potential that lays dormant
inside young minds waiting to blossom.

Stated by Kelly Borsheim, “When elementary schools include art
programs in the curriculum, children do better with math.”

This statement and others provide a respectful and accurate
importance of why Art Education is valid to the educational
directions of schools. Art education at times displays the essence
or soul of a school, students put their feelings, dreams and
creativity in art work. Even Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC) understood
the nature of Art by stating that, “Art is born of the observation
and investigation of nature.” Students use skills of observation, investigation, rationalization and association to put their
interpretation to a medium that can range from paper to canvas and
wood to clay. Using artistic tools of pencil, brush, charcoal,
crayons, paint, and other tools.

The development and continuation of supporting Arts in Education
is seen as a testament to a “hands on” approach to teaching. The
love of using a persons direct talent can never be negated by
technology which is being implemented in all areas of instruction. Computers serve a purpose for instruction, but art is still formed
from the heart. The sentiment is stated by Marshall McLuhan, when
he makes the statement, “As the unity of the modern world becomes increasingly a technological rather than a social affair, the
techniques of the arts provide the most valuable means of insight
into the real direction of our own collective purposes.”

Keeping this in mind the community has a responsibility to support
Art Education in Duval County Public Schools. What parent has not
put their child’s art work on the fridge or the coffee table
to display it proudly? The Duval Art Teachers Association Art
Auction Fundraiser will kick off on December 7th during Art Walk
at Hemming Plaza Jewelers. Bids can be made on site during
Art Walk on December 7th.

D.A.T.A is committed to providing scholarships. The Duval Art
Teachers' Association (DATA) is the local professional organization
of both public and private school art educators. The organization
is comprised of elementary, middle and senior high teachers as
well as those in higher education. Support their efforts to
raise money to provide scholarships for growth in Art Education.

”Be drawn to the visual arts for it can expand your imagination.”
Barbara Januszkiewicz

Support Art Teachers in Duval County check out the Facebook page.
Support Art Education in DCPS