Hi, my name is Nikkia, and I have created this blog to discuss current events going on in education, our communities, and all over the world. 

I have been an alternative educator for over ten years now. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly mentally tiresome.  I have seen many things over the course of my teaching experience.  I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.  A special group of teachers are needed to tolerate and handle the issues our student population is plagued with. Being an educator has its many downfalls, however, it can be very rewarding at times.  Those rewarding  times, no matter how infrequent, are what keep me coming back year after year. My students depend on me to lead them to success.  Some of them welcome the information and guidance, while some of them don't.  The sad part of it all is that many of my students could care less about their education.  They are living for NOW, and not thinking of the future or the outcome of some of their decisions.  I have had students to come through the alternative school and leave to become very successful students at their base schools, and beyond (college, career, etc.).  They have made me very proud and confident in my abilities to guide in a loving, but stern manner.  However, I have had students to leave my classroom and return to their base schools, only to return to me within a year....sometimes even months or weeks.  Why aren't they learning their lesson? Why is it that I have former students locked up in federal prison convicted of murder, robbery, and drugs? Where is the breakdown? Will there ever be a breakthrough? Why don't they care anymore? There are thousands of questions to be asked, and this blog is going to be this teacher's platform to voice opinions and feelings, using real-time data, without any fear of backlash. -freedom of speech- -no slander-

I have always told the truth. I don't bite my tongue, especially when it comes to the future of our children.  Teaching has become a profession that does not get the praise, respect, and financial support that is required for success.  Government standards and unfamiliar input have taken the fun away from teaching.  My teachers seemed to have so much fun teaching and having in depth discussions about the topics that excited them.  I find myself shortening my open discussions mainly because of the fear of not getting through the SOL's, which are critical to my students and their dreams of obtaining a diploma. Many of my students are the first in their family to even come close to graduating!  That infamous Scope and Sequence, which is much like a road map the teacher uses to guide what he/she should be teaching and when, creates anxiety and takes away the creativeness in lessons.  Creativity is what attracts and keeps their attention. We are dealing with a new generation. We cannot afford to place a burden on the task of expanding our student's minds and imaginations. They are still our future......as of now.......that is so scary! 

Please stay posted.

KiaWill