Black History Month Tribute

 

I'm back after a quick hiatus! As part of February, I'll also be spotlighting an African-American who contributed significantly to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Since this is my area, I have to pay homage to those who made it possible for the world to have some of the technology we have today. Below are the first two days of spotlights...enjoy!!

February 1-
Dr. Mark Dean 


Dr. Mark Dean, computer scientist and highest-ranking Black at IBM (and should've been the current Dean of Engineering at Howard University but...I digress).. Dr. Dean is responsible for the computers each of us use today..he was the first Black IBM Fellow and holds 3 of IBM's original 9 PC patents...I've been told CS is boring...yet somehow, we have nothing but computer scientists like Dr. Dean to thank for even being able to post such things on websites like Facebook

http://www.black-inventor.com/Dr-Mark-Dean.asp

 Dr. Marc Hannah

 

 For those of you who enjoyed the special effects in movies like Batman, The Nutty Professor, Terminator, Star Wars, or all the animated movies Pixar produces, like Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, etc...thank Dr. Marc Hannah, another Black computer scientist who created the technology, Silicon Graphics, Inc. used to create these movies that George Lucas produced and people like Steve Jobs paid to own the companies using these technologies (Pixar)

http://www.idvl.org/sciencemakers/Bio10.html

February 2

Dr. Ronald McNair

Today's Black History spotlight is dedicated to Dr. Ronald McNair. Dr. McNair was a physicist and NASA astronaut, receiving his bachelor's degree from NC A&T State University and his Ph.D. from MIT...Dr. McNair was the second African-American to travel in space. He was killed in the 1986 Challenger explosion that included the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe..in his memory, the Ronald McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program was established by the Department of Education to provide scholarships to first-generation, low-income college students and underrepresented graduate students, to help them prepare for and succeed in undergraduate and graduate studies..RIP and thank you Dr. McNair 

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/physics/mcnair_ronalde.html

Excuses...And Our Love Affair with Them

So this week marked two important time periods in the lives of students across the country. First, it's the end of the semester for college students. Final exams are wrapping up and students are heading back home to their sponsors..oops..parents. Second, it was progress report (and parent-teacher conference) time for many K-12 students.

I've been fortunate enough to get my feet wet in K-12 education this year, in addition to my duties as a college professor. One of the things that always bothers me about this time of year on the collegiate level is the number of negotiators. Those are the students who didn't do what they were supposed to do throughout the year and now, because they need to pass the class to graduate, maintain a scholarship, or stay out of trouble at home, want you to provide them some "extra credit" to help boost their grade to an acceptable level. I personally loathe this time, as do a lot of colleagues I've spoken to. Instead of being accountable, students think that their under-developed negotiation skills are enough to influence a professor to take pity on them and give them a grade they didn't earn. It's even somewhat amusing at times (stay tuned, that's another forthcoming book).

The problem is there is always an excuse. An excuse about why they didn't come to class all semester (except the first week), why they never turned in a homework assignment (but deserve an 'A' cause they REALLY know the material..seriously..), and why you should understand that they have other things to do than just work for your class (like hang on the yard, go to parties, talk on the phone, and tweet and Facebook their friends..seriously, this class is a disruption to the bare necessities).

The one thing I love about college life is the FERPA. I don't have to interact with parent unless explicitly given approval by the student. So usually, I don't interact with parents. However, now that I'm experiencing a taste of K-12 education, I realize where the excuses originate..the parents. See, the kids usually don't have a lot of excuses about why they didn't turn in an assignment. I tell my middle-schoolers just like I tell my undergraduates, "if it's late, it's a 0, plain and simple. You have rules and you must follow them." Usually, the students will abide by this. They don't have homeworks and, when asked why, they simply respond "I just don't" or "I didn't do it." But my recent encounters during parent-teacher night have convinced me that there is a large subset of parents of this new "Generation Lost" that are making excuses for their children before the kids can even spell the word.

Let me share some of the responses/excuses I've received from parents:

1. You are NOT teaching college students. These are 7th graders. (My response: Ma'am, turning your assignments in on time is what you are taught in Kindergarten...it's called accountability).

2. My child was WELL aware of your deadline of 12pm today and has been working on the assignment since it was assigned. However, he was in an open house all day today and forgot to submit his homework. Can you please provide a 24 hour extension? (My response: The assignment was extended last week to this week, making a total of 2 weeks to submit...No)

3. Can my child make up the past due assignments or do extra credit to boost his grade? I'm just now able to view his grades online and am trying to stay on him. (My response: No, students have been aware from the beginning that I accept no late assignments. Your child must follow the same rules every other student does)

4. Student: I turned in my homework, I DIIDDDDD. Parent: Well, if she said she turned it in I believe her. I used to believe the teachers first but I've learned if she said she did it she is telling the truth. (My response: You mean like she was telling the truth that she turned in the homework that she just dug out of her bookbag that was never submitted???)

It doesn't take a genius to notice the running theme here. Parents are creating the monsters that K-16 educators have to deal with, a generation of students who not only don't do the work, but make an excuse about WHY they didn't do it and then EXPECT educators to provide them with a grade they didn't deserve. Parents, stop making excuses for why your child can't or won't do something. You are handicapping your kids before they even have an opportunity..more importantly, you're pissing off a world of educators in the process. We can only do our job when in the classroom. It's your responsibility to do your job at home.

See, these kids grow up into young adults who now make excuses for themselves, because they've been taught they don't have to earn anything. They can negotiate. When this doesn't work, they've been taught to complain and attack anyone who holds them accountable. These same young adults turn into employees who maybe can con their way into a career but won't be able to stay long because there is always an excuse about why they didn't get something done, why something went wrong, or why they juuuuuuust can seem to accomplish a task that a freshman in college should be able to complete. Again, it turns to finger-pointing and attacking..


So parents, do us all a favor and start teaching your child to be accountable for his/her actions both in and outside of the classroom. My dad is a retired public school educator and administrator. The BEST quote I've heard was from him this morning. "Don't making excuses for your kids. They already make enough for themselves."

And there you have it. Want to know more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and my website!

Until next time!

What Every College Student Should Do Over the Holiday Break

The holiday break is upon us! The hallways at work are becoming a ghost town, as students complete final exams and pack up for the month-long holiday break.

For most of you, this is a great time to relax, detox, and enjoy family and friends.  However, I've seen one too many student return in January and you would think they never passed a course or worse, never took one. To circumvent this all too annoying amnesia that falls upon so many college students, there are a few things that EVERY student should do over the holiday break to help prepare them for the next semester and for the rest of their college experience:

1. Review material from any courses you completed this semester. The Internet, more importantly Google, Wolfram Alpha, and the likes have completely dumbed down our society and students. Too often, students try to remember just enough information to get through the class. Once the semester is over, they toss it in the garbage can, never to be used again...so they think. The problem is, the course you enrolled in for the spring semester (and subsequent years) is building upon that course that you just barely passed because you really didn't understand the material. And here is another news flash, you actually need to UNDERSTAND the material in your classes. Review any concepts that were difficult, find additional information that will help reinforce your learning. You WILL see the material again..trust me.

2. Get caught up on current events. This will help you identify a number of things of importance to you, including student loan regulations, healthcare extensions for dependents up to age 25, job outlooks, and more. In addition, a potential employer or graduate school could ask you a question about current events. You don't want to become a deer in headlights. More importantly, you want to be a well-rounded individual who has more to talk about than last night's episode of "X Factor."

3. Update your resume. Your resume is a working document. It should be continuously updated with new awards, scholarships, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and relevant courses each semester. Keep this current. You never know when you will have to submit it for an internship or job opportunity.

4. Review your plan of study. There is nothing worse than a senior in a professor's office 2 weeks before graduation crying because he/she didn't complete all the necessary courses or receive the appropriate grades to graduate. If you are consistently reviewing this each semester, then there are no surprises at the end. In addition, you can update your registration for the spring semester, to retake any courses or ensure you are on track to graduate on time.

5. Search for financial aid. Unless you have a 0 balance (meaning no student loans), you should apply for scholarships and grants to help towards your college expenses. Just because you took out student loans doesn't mean you can't apply for scholarships and grants. Apply, apply, APPLY. And ask professors BEFORE you leave for the break to write recommendations. We disappear just like you do (usually).

You may think this is a lot but, trust me..it's not..my Christmas break will be spent getting caught up on work. Somehow it's the only time I can actually stay head down enough to get work done. You have MORE than enough time to dedicate a few hours a day to these activities and still completely enjoy your time off. And remember, you want to always be a step ahead of the rest. The only way to do that is to always stay prepared. Remember, if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready...


Looking for more info? Check me out at Prepped for Success!

The Least Wonderful Time of the Year: Advice to College (And Parents of K-12) Students

There are a number of reasons why I love the holidays. First, the Christmas season ( which, for me, officially begins the first time I hear "This Christmas" by Donnie Hathaway). Then there is the second most important holiday of the year, my birthday (December 28, in case anyone wants to send monetary gifts, feel free to do so via PayPal). Finally, it's CHRISTMAS BREAK!! Only a college professor gets one month off every year for the Christmas holiday (did I mention I love my job??)!!

Most students look forward to this break as well. Who wouldn't want a month away from school, with no worries about classes, waking up early, or studying?? However, for some students (and parents) this can be the most stressful time of the year, and for many college professors, it can become the most annoying time of the year...the last week of classes...

Why would professors find this time so annoying you ask?? Because this becomes "bargain season," the time when students you've never seen in office hours before are waiting at your door 15 minutes before we arrive to discuss how they were supposed to graduate this semester...HOWEVER, our class is the roadblock that is preventing them from doing so. Never mind that they rarely showed up to class on time, if at all, never turned in a homework assignment, and never attempted to study. That's irrelevant. At this point, it's about negotiating. You see, they need to graduate. They have a job offer, this is the last class they needed, or they can't afford to spend any more money at the university. In any case, they need the professor to "give them a grade" so they can meet graduation requirements. I walked into my office this morning to find my retired colleague (who uses my office for office hours since he's teaching my class this semester) explaining to a student that he won't "give" him any grade he doesn't earn. Mind you, this is a supposed-to-have-graduated-two-years-ago senior.

I have a special love-hate this special week of the year...for the simple reason that I explain to my class at the beginning of every semester NOT to ask me at any time what they can do to improve their grade..because my response will initially be, "your work." Further questions will be ignored.

Here is my advice to current college student. DO YOUR WORK! YOU are accountable for your progress. Your effort (or lack of) will EARN you the grade you receive. Trying to win brownie points or last-minute plea deals may get you through a class, but it will stop you in your career and life. You see, once you graduate, you actually WANT a job in that career? Imagine how embarrassed you will feel when you can't perform work or answer questions that a freshman in your major should know? Furthermore, stop wasting our (fellow professors) time with questions about why we won't just give you a passing grade and instead spend it asking questions about concepts you don't understand because you never took the time to read the book until last week.

But I digress. Maybe those are just my own encounters (though I doubt it). Now that I also have experience teaching K-12 students, I've learned that these "little monsters" weren't created by Lady Gaga fans. Nope, they were created by their sponsors...parents who have stopped holding kids accountable for their performance (or lack of) and instead hold teachers accountable for not giving their child extra time to make up missed assignments that they didn't turn in on time, or to do extra credit to help "improve their grade."

See..the beauty of teaching undergraduates is that the FERPA keeps me from having to speak to most parents who want to plead for their child. However, in middle school, that's not the case. In fact, I HAVE to meet with parents. And what I'm learning, is that so many of you parents are doing a disservice to your child. Sure, you have a great career and can provide your children the finer things in life. However, what happened to the basics? Like being accountable for your actions, accepting a loss and working to improve on it the next time or...wait for it...I dare say...studying and actually understanding the material!! Now THERE's a concept that's innovative!!!

Now, if you think I'm being offensive then my guess is you are either that type of college student or parent. The truth is, if you are either or, then you should IMMEDIATELY do a self-reflection, and change your ways. Otherwise you (or even worse, your child) will suffer the consequences. Til next time! **stepping off soapbox**

The "Real" World, Housewives, Basketball Wives, and Disservice They are Providing Our Students

I'M BACK!!! After a short break, I'm back and ready to provide more commentary during this all-too important time of the year...NO, not the holidays, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS!! That's right folks, November-March is prime season for high-school seniors and parents. I will be posting at least twice per week to help anyone going through this hectic season (and you thought Black Friday and Christmas shopping was stressful)!!!.

Unfortunately though, I have to bring light to a subject that many college-bound and current undergraduates are dealing with. This past weekend, a Frostburg State University student was killed by another student at an off-campus residence. The victim was trying to break up a fight between the attacker and another student, and was stabbed in the head.

I should also note that all parties involved in this incident were female. In September, you may remember me blogging about a Bowie State University student being murdered by her roommate after a fight over an iPod. It has come to my attention that there is a serious issue going on with our young women in this society. Then there is the murder of Jayna Murray in Bethesda, MD at a Lululemon store by her female employee who stabbed her over 300 times, then proceeded to tie herself up and claim that robbers vandalized the store and attacked them both.

I am the first to admit that I sometimes act on my emotions before thinking things through. I may say something that I wish later I'd counted to 10 and then addressed. Is it because I'm a woman? My boyfriend would say yes, but I do recognize it's a flaw that I work daily to address. However, even on my most emotional day, I've never acted in the type of rage that seems to easily fill in so many young ladies now. It's the kind of emotion that each of the three attackers in the incidents above claim allowed them to "black out" and not realize the extent of what they were doing.

That's a bunch of crap. The truth is that, we as a society are so desensitized to violence that we now think it's acceptable for people, and girls and young ladies, to carry themselves in a violent manner that it's acceptable for people to justify their actions by "I just snapped."

How many of you have watched The Real Housewives series, The Real World, Jersey Shore, Basketball Wives, Football Wives, Bad Girls Club, or the host of other "reality" shows that are overtaking EVERY SINGLE ONE of the television channels now? I confess that I've watched some of these, and commented on the sheer ignorance of not only the "reality stars" but us as a society for allowing network television to continuously feed us such nonsense that they package up as "entertainment" because they think we are too stupid to demand more.

The truth is, they are right. We are not holding our entertainment outlets accountable to us by providing programming that educates, entertains, and helps us grow as a people. Remember Family Ties, The Cosby Show, A Different World, Happy Days, Family Matters, The Wonder Years, etc.? While these all weren't designed to educate us, they were at least television shows that portrayed positive moral values, and characters learning a valuable lesson at the end of each episode (which somehow always brought the "feel-good-music" and "a-ha moment").

Now, young women become overnight celebrities not for their acting ability, but their ability to make the biggest scene, cause the biggest fight in public, or be the most drunk on television, or cause the biggest Twitter or Facebook feud. This is what so many of our teens and 20-somethings see and think is appropriate. Throwing drinks, fighting in public, getting loud, and making a fool of themselves and everyone else around them. It's ok because the Snookie's, J-Wow's, Evelyn's, Tami's, and Bad Girls Club are millionaires profiting from our own stupidity and ignorance.

I wonder how many of the three attackers above (who were all in their 20s) watched any of these shows? How many times had they seen, over the years, how it was ok to act on emotions and not think things through first? And more importantly, when do we begin to demand that our children see something better on tv than this crap?

President Obama stated that, not only do his daughters not watch tv during the week, but he would not allow them to watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians, to which Kim K. decided to respond that their show was educational for young girls...REALLY?!?????? In what world? Maybe I need to take the blue pill to see the "educational benefit" of anything related to the Kardashians, but I say thank you to President and First Lady Obama for doing what so many parents aren't doing...parenting. I won't get on my soapbox with this but, it starts at home folks. Showing your children what is right and wrong and, more importantly, NOT allowing them to see such foolishness on television, listen to it on the radio, or see it in you as a parent will help to prevent another person (not just a student) losing their lives because someone else "just lost it."

I'll leave you with a feature I did for USA Today College recently on "5 Things Every College Professor Wants Students (and Parents) to Know," which includes conflict resolution.

Til next time!