ANTIBULLYING
These are links to support Antibullying efforts in schools, churches,
and community organizations.
I'm availble for presentations to any group that works with tweens,
teens, and young adults to dialogue about bullying.
The Blog sites are:
Bullying A Violation of Human Rights
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2011-04-08/bullying-violation-human-rights
Bullying Resources
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2010-11-17/bullying-resources
Bullying Continues to Grow
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2010-11-05/bullying-continues-grow
Bullying In School and Cyber
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2010-11-03/bullying-school-physical-and-cyber
Stop Bullying Jacksonville, Florida
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400553/william-jackson/2011-06-04/jacksonville-stop-bullying
Antibullying Presentation with just pictures and graphics
Antibullying Youtube Video
Four (4) minute video
William Jackson, M.Ed.
jacksonw@duvalschools.org
June 14, 2011
June 13, 2011
Divorced Fathers Can Celebrate Fathers Day
The actions of divorce force men to start over, starting a new beginning,
and rebuilding of relationships with children, renewing a father’s spirituality, and the redirection of personal priorities in life. No matter what cultural background, maturity range, salary scale or religious conviction, divorce can be overwhelming, demeaning, financially draining (especially if you are proving child support and or alimony), and a emotional roller coaster that never seems to end.
In Matthew 6:33 states, “..seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..”, when searching for direction through this challenging
time. The best guide is the reading of the Bible and seeking understanding
of the Word. Reading and interpretation can refocus your life, redirect your spirituality in scripture and provides comfort and solace.
To see more: Click Here for Bible Gateway
Having gone through divorce it forced an understanding on what I need to
improve in myself, not focusing on the faults or shortcomings of others.
Not blaming, arguing about perceptions of right and wrong. The thoughts
and emotional turmoil of blame, anger, self-pity, shame and defeatism have
been cried over, cursed about and now distant memories, stored away in
a heart mending itself together. As a divorced father I questioned how
can I move on with my life, amplify my spirituality as a Christian man and
still be in my children’s lives being a positive force, being a role model, and support mechanism, these are my focus points. To achieve them I understand that I need to be a highly involved father.
Research has shown that being an involved father can be a big source
of healing for a man and children. Men need to re-bond with their kids
to help keep fathers motivated in fathering. This Fathers Day instead of
focusing on you refocus on the responsibilities of being a father, a man,
a role model, renewing and recharging the commitment and covenant
you have with your children.
Children are a blessing from God as written in Psalm 127:3, with this knowledge, children being blessings, men/fathers have a responsibility to be a part of children’s lives and accept them as blessings from God.
Children are not commodities to be traded, fought over, or bargained for,
their well being should be placed first during time of upheaval and emotional stress.
Children do not cause divorce, but are directly affected by it. Fathers Day is for divorced fathers because of the hard work and sacrifices that are required to stay in children’s lives. No one can take away that you are a parent and aid children’s growth in dynamic ways. A divorced father may not physically be in the home, but the teachings, modeling and prayers are present in children’s life. The essence of what is shared within children. As it states in Ephesians 6:4, “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, the first responsibility that fathers must continue is to teach sons is to be respectful in order to get respect, the importance of education to obtain a career, provide for oneself and family and putting God first in all they do.
In being fathers in deeds and duties sons will follow as an example of behavior. In accordance with sons, daughters taught to be independent thinkers and aspire to be self supportive, not leaning on being reliant on any man to provide for them. Daughters will seek a man similar to their father’s actions, demeanor and emotional statues even if it is self-destructive at times. Fathers set the foundation on whom daughters will look for in a mate. Just as sons, fathers must teach daughters who will be mothers one day to put God first in their lives and seek Godly men. Not men who follow the latest trends in fashions, cars and other material things which are not long lasting.
Fathers must teach their little girls that they are empowered with dreams and aspirations to be successful and can achieve greatness.
Stated in John 10:30, “I and my father are one” Jesus makes this statement as a testimony to his father. The same holds true for fathers and their children, you are one in many ways with your children. Some of these ways are visually evident and some ways will manifest themselves as your child matures into adulthood.
Men and fathers have obtained wisdom that we should pass on to our children. In Proverbs 4:1-27 there is discussion of wisdom, gaining it through life experiences and reading of the Word. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…” (Proverbs 4:7), and share it so children will not make the same mistakes as parents have. Real fathers guide their children, helping them to “deviate from the possible path of the wicked, and not go in the way of evil men (ultimate self destruction)” (Proverbs 4:14).
This Fathers Day and beyond, be the father your father may not have been to you, be the dad that your children can be proud of and seek for guidance. Fathers this is your day to be recognized and no one can take that from you. Starting over is not easy, but the path can be peaceful, comforting and less challenging if we recognize the heavenly father first and continue to do the right thing by him and children. Sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing, sometimes doing the right thing is not the popular thing, sometimes doing the right thing will put us against what other people say, but at the end of the day what will our children and God say about you doing the right thing.
Divorce is not the end of fatherhood just a new beginning and an opportunity to grow, but with the proper guidance from God’s help. What legacy do you want to leave for your children? God Bless divorced fathers, they are still fathers and dads in children’s lives, divorced fathers must stay involved and in prayer for wisdom and guidance.
William Jackson, M.Ed.
William.jackson@ewc.edu
About Me
June 9, 2011
Reading is Fundamentally Fun
by William (Coach) Jackson and Nancy (Fancy Nancy) Rentz
Andrew Robinson Elementary
"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots; the other, wings."Hodding Carter
The Reading Celebration at Andrew Robinson Elementary was attended by characters from storybooks ranging from the Cat In The Hat, High School Musical, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Naruto, Star Wars, Captain Under Pants, Spiderman, Billy Goat Gruff, Skippy John Jones, Ramona Quimby, other novels, kids books and works of fiction and nonfiction. Grades Pre-K to fifth experience the joy, excitement and imagination
gained from reading diverse books. ARE embraces reading that opens doors to the imagination, has a lifelong value and direct impact on future success academically and career choices.
The pictures from the recent Reading Celebration shows the value reading has and the inclusiveness of all grades in the celebration. Involving the community has been one of the wonderful traits of Andrew Robinson Elementary. Being a community school, Title One and Magnet School, community involvement is critical to the success of the
students. The reading parade through the neighborhood provided an opportunity for the community to see great successes ongoing at ARE.
Lead by Media Specialists Mrs. Nancy Rentz AKA Fancy Nancy, Principal Crystal Lewis the celebration was fun, culturally awakening and equally inclusive of all grades.
Reading Coach, Mrs. Walsh-Lopez provides professional development that assists teachers with empowering tools encourage reading by students, using data to guide appropriate instruction. Using the Family Engagement Center (Nicky Crawford, Title I Parent Liaison) to encourage parents to promote reading at home. Offering free workshops, seminars and classroom visits so that parents have access to tools that they
can use at home. The schools “Blast Off To College Preparation” theme instills in the young minds of students even in Pre-K that college is
a possibility not an impossible goal. Embedding in youthful minds
that they are capable of graduating high school and attending
colleges like their role models that they see every day
(their teachers).
Inclusive to reading are visits by motivational speakers like Deonte Bridges, Dr. Johnny Gaffney (City Council Member), Attorney Kevin
Cobbin, Authors (Heather Surface and Jane Word). The developing
mentoring relationships with Jacksonville Giants and other
local businesses provide a chance for professionals in the community
to contribute and give emphasis to the importance of reading. This
takes the term, “It takes a village to raise leaders” to a new
level of accountability.
Andrew Robinson Elementary Schools success is the product of administrators, faculty, staff and support personnel, taking responsibility and ownership for the learning of all
students. “Reading is Fundamental” to the success of all students,
from 3year old PreK students to rising middle school students of the
fifth grade graduating class.
National and district reading scores have shown that early success in reading leads to academic success from elementary school to high school. Those students that are reading on grade level are more likely to
graduate high school and enroll in college.
Andrew Robinson Elementary embraces the concept NOW - “No Opportunity Wasted” for instruction. Learning is continuous, comprehensive and fun..There is the use of exploration, ownership of learning and strategies, rituals and routines. Students are taught to take
advantage of every moment to learn. ARE will also
implement the Ride and Read Program from the Jacksonville Public Library
http://jpl.coj.net/lib/r2rprogram.html – where students flash there library card and receive a coupon to hop on a JTA bus. Look at the
joy and excitement of the students as they participate in
celebrating reading. This is not from video games, monetary
rewards, grades on report cards or other incentives. The pure
desire to become great readers and given the opportunity to show
what they (students) know.
William Jackson, M.Ed.
Teacher DCPS
http://about.me/williamdjackson
Invitation to visit Andrew Robinson Elementary
photobucket.com/andrewrobinson
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