Why is the "Who Moved my Cheese" book so important for all aspects of life?

Dear Readers,

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to read Dr. Spencer Johnson's book called "Who Moved My Cheese". It is a story of tragedy and triumph as it is told from the minds of mice and little people in terms of  finding "new" cheese. I had a chance to show the video to my Upward Bound students today and here are some of their responses:

-You should not be afraid of change
-When times change, you should be willing to change with it
-Be willing to adapt to new training and professional development
-You cannot stay in the same place for too long
-As organizations change, you have to look around at all times so that you will know the climate
-Do not get comfortable in any job

As seen in the video, the two mice got so comfortable with the cheese being in the same place everyday that they did not take the time to inspect the amount of cheese that was left each day. They were blind to their own circumstances therefore causing them to be hungry much longer than they needed to.

Each day, I check my emails. I read the emails from students and I give responses. But I always read the emails that come from supervisors, deans, and even the President. Why? Because these emails will help you as you look down the road at your present and perhaps future employment. Without reading the emails, I would not know what is going on as it relates to my job.

In closing, always be aware of what is going on at your workplace and in your life. If the "cheese" moves, are you prepared to move as well?

Who Moved My Cheese movie

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (Women in STEM)

Dear Readers,

Today has been a busy day. This week, I volunteering my time to the UK STEM Camp. Today was the first day of the camp and I am already tired. The students explored chemical engineering and robotics and they enjoyed the fact that it was very hands-on. But I am thankful for another opportunity to serve the students and staff at my alma mater, The University of Kentucky.

Recently, I submitted an article to the magazine, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The article is entitled "Less Women in STEM Equals Trouble for Silicon Valley". Many people know that there are far less women in the STEM fields and it is high time for someone to stand up and acknowledge the fact that women are slighted in these areas.

Here is the link to the article: Less Women In STEM Article

Overall, more women in STEM will show other young ladies that it is ok to be a part of such a field. Too often, young ladies begin to get disinterested in STEM fields around middle school for various reasons (lack of teacher support, being shifted to other female friendly fields, etc.). But, as in all fields, gender equity is needed in STEM fields.

Using Applications to Display Mathematics Concepts (STEM)

Hi Everyone,

I am always looking for ways to bring more interaction into my online and traditional classes. I often use multimedia to bring the concepts to life. In all classes, you have to find ways to show students how to understand the concepts in ways that are outside of the classroom environment.

I have two concepts that I use quite often in my classes:

1. PowToon (Powtoon.com) -This application uses the cartoon format in order to give students a video that is in the form of a cartoon lecture. I used this cartoon for a project and my online students loved the idea of learning a concept and being able to answer questions that are within the presentation.
PowToon Presentation

2. Nearpod (Nearpod.com)- This application combines PowerPoints, videos, polling features, field trips, and fill-in-the-blanks in order to promote engagement and interactivity in the classroom. I have used this app so that I can get all students involved in the classroom discussion. I use the polling feature so that students can answer a question that I have posed in the classroom. Polling gives me a chance to see what is in the minds of my quiet students. Overall, you can combine many features in order to use this product. A free version is available for use.
Nearpod Presentation

There are other apps out there but I just wanted to show you the two apps that I am currently using.

Work Even When No One Else is Watching

In life, we often encounter people who work in the presence of others. There are always people who only work when they know that there is an incentive in it for them (paycheck). But if you work only when you are being watched, then what kind of work ethic will you have in the future?

My response to this is to build a work ethic that will help you to work during your work hours so that you can maintain productivity at work.

Here are some tips to keep working even when other people are not working:
1. Remember that honesty is the best policy. If you are to work from 8am-5pm and you have a lunch break, then you should only relax during your lunch break. During your work hours, you are expected to complete your work.
2. You are being watched even if you think that no one is watching you. In most companies, there are video cameras that are recording your every move. It could very well record the websites that you visit while at work. Be careful of what you are doing as you could be recorded and you may be asked questions about what you are doing during work hours.
3. Your future goals depend on what you are doing right now. If you do not like to work, then you will have a hard time meeting your goals. For Example: If you want to be a STEM Educator in the future, then you will need to focus on your STEM classes and make good grades in those classes. Your past experiences can have an effect on your future success. Work now so that you can find time to relax later.

Overall, continue to work on your job with the best amount of service that you have. Integrity is needed in the workplace these days but you have a chance to show others what you can do.....even when no one is watching you!

Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM)

STEM Education is an important aspect of the education as it relates to the future of young girls and especially women of color. Many years ago, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education were all different fields but now, they are combined in one acronym to describe the similarities that exist between them. In this article, I would like to describe my personal obstacles in learning mathematics, ways to help young ladies overcome their own obstacles, and challenges in the future and reasons why more young ladies should pursue STEM Education in the next 10/20/50 years.

Personal Struggles

In 1995, I was a seventh grader at Coloma Middle School. I was new to this school as I was a transfer student from a low-performing school. Coloma was a high-performing school district so the transition was very difficult. I struggled the most in my mathematics courses because I had not established all of the sign rules and the basic computation that was involved with solving algebra problems in class. As each day went by, I became more and more discouraged with my math scores. There were many days when I would cry because I wanted to learn the subject like everyone else but I do not think that I was ready for the process of catching up to other students. Finally, I had a conversation with my parents and they told me that I would need tutoring so that I could get better grades. So each morning, my Dad woke me up and he took me to school early so that I could get tutoring. I also did extra work at home so that I could improve my score. After my first year, I received a C as my final grade. But at least the C was better than a D. So in August of 1996, I started the new school year again with tutoring each morning. As I went through each lesson, I started to understand math more. At night, I was able to do my homework with ease. I was happy that my scores were finally coming up. At the end of my second year at Coloma Middle, I ended out the school year with a B as my final grade. I am thankful for my personal struggles because I had no idea that one day, I would become a Mathematician that would teach other students that struggle with mathematics. I am glad that I went through this experience because it gave me an appreciation of what other students go through when they are having trouble understanding their coursework.

Ways to help other ladies overcome their own obstacles

I have compiled a list of ways that can help ladies as they go further into their studies:

• Be willing to ask for help on the onset of issues. Too many ladies wait until the last minute to ask for help and by that time, it is too late. Ask early and ask questions often.
• Find other people that you can study with. It is preferred that you study with people who know as much or more than what you know.
• Study every day. As time goes on, the workload will get harder. Study each day as every concept builds on previously learned information.
• Remove procrastination from your mind. Do not hold off on what can be done today. You never know what you will need to do tomorrow so it is best to do the work today.
• Find a tutoring center. The people in the tutoring center know more than you so they are the people that you should go to so that you can get a better understanding of your work.
• Put your pride aside. If you have issues in any area, admit it and find ways to address it as soon as possible.
• Find a mentor. If you want to work in a certain career in the future, it is best to find a mentor that is already working in that field. It is helpful to work alongside someone who is proficient in the field and they can give you tips on being successful in the present and in the future.

Challenges that lie ahead for women in the STEM fields

Right now, it is essential to look at the STEM fields as the future draws closer. The most recent career and technical education statistics at the secondary level from the U.S. Department of Education are from 2005, and they show very low numbers of female students in STEM (Milgram, 2011). In the past, women were not always given the opportunity to pursue careers in the sciences. In the early and mid-1900’s, most women were stay at home mothers while their husbands worked in various industries. Over time, these women have taken a stronger interest in their education and in the STEM fields. Having more women in the picture will not only help women themselves, it will also help society benefit from their expertise--whether it's ensuring women are included in clinical trials for medical research or developing a prosthetic knee that works better for women (Milgram, 2011). Also, more women in the STEM fields will add a unique perspective on the plight of women and ways that they are working to increase the awareness of the female voice in STEM. In the next 10/20/50 years, it is essential to increase the amount of women in STEM fields.  There are seven organizations that are positioned to increase the amount of women in STEM. These organizations are:

• 1. National Girls Collaborative Project
• 2. National Math and Science Initiative
• 3. Women in Engineering Proactive Network
• 4. Million Women Mentors
• 5. American Association of University Women
• 6. Scientista
• 7. Association for Women in Science

Overall, these organizations were started to bring more women into STEM fields. I am glad that these organizations will work hard to make sure that women have more opportunities in STEM fields in the future. In closing, women in STEM fields are needed but it is helpful to have the support of the White House as this initiative goes forward.

“One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.”

-- President Barack Obama, February 2013

   Office of Science and Technology Policy

References

Milgram, D. (2011). How to Recruit Women and Girls to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Classroom. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 71(3), 4-11.

Office of Science and Technology Policy (2016). Women in STEM. Retrieved on May 9, 2016 from https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/women.

Maintaining your Integrity in Academia and in Life

Dear Readers,

Academia is an interesting world to swim in. You have the givers, the takers, and some folks who give and take at the same time. However, academia is a place where integrity should be maintained at all times. Too often, we hear stories about people who are large celebrities but their integrity fell when they were met with adversity/temptation.

Integrity is defined in the dictionary as "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness." I would go a step further and give a real life definition: "What do you do when no one is watching? Are you the same person in the light and in the darkness?"

Overall, integrity is an important aspect in today's culture. In life, can people trust you when your integrity is wavering? Even more so, does your integrity cause you to say No to some things while other people say Yes? With integrity, you have to think about how your actions will affect other people.

Recently, one of my 10th graders did a Life Lesson on Integrity (we discuss Life Lessons on a daily basis). He told the story of Tiger Woods and his trek to the top of the golfing world. This student talked about the awards that Woods received and even spoke about his wife and his family. But later, he spoke about the things that Tiger Woods did when no one was watching (cheating, lying, etc.). But the student said that he learned an important lesson at church: "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it."

Whatever you do this week, please make sure that your integrity causes you to make sound decisions in the midst of adversity.

A Dream Deferred.....

A dream deferred is a dream that is put on the back burner until it attracts dust and then it begins to deteriorate. But a dream fulfilled is a dream that requires hard work, determination, and persistence in order to complete it. Be willing to realize your dreams of an education so that you can work in a career that you love and enjoy. Success can be attained but you have to be willing to work hard in order to achieve it. Above all things, stay focused on achieving your dreams. 

-Dr. Antoinette Davis (Achieving the Ultimate Dream of Education)

Sometimes, we think about our dreams, and we wonder if we can even achieve them. But our dreams are exactly what they are....our dreams. But what if you think that you cannot achieve your dreams?

Here are some steps to make your dreams come alive:

1. Hang around positive people that will encourage you to pursue your dreams. These people will walk along the road with you after you have sold your car to purchase the building that will be the home of your new business. If your friends do not support you, then you need some new friends.

2. Talk to some professionals that work in your current field of interest. There is nothing better than talking to someone who has already walked in your shoes. They can give good advice and they may even help to fund your idea.

3. Find ways to pursue further training in your area. You may want to work in a field that does not require an education. Fine! But still get as much professional development training so that you can give sound advice when you are asked pertinent questions. If you future job requires a degree, get one or two degrees. The more the merrier. The best part about having training and/or education is that you will qualify for more jobs in your field of interest.

Overall, a dream deferred is a dream that is put off until it is forgotten. But if you follow the tips above, you can make sure that your dreams come to pass (even if it takes lots of hard work over time).