🌹Honoring Women in Education
Our International Women's Day Spoken Word Celebration happens tomorrow.
We’ve been unusually busy at Imagiread over the past few weeks, focusing on our weekly Saturday S.T.E.M. and Culture Learning Series with the community at Nguzo Saba 365 and ensuring our summer programs are readE to rock and roll for new and returning Imagireaders.
Today, I just so happened to log into LinkedIn and was greeted by a prompt to share a story about a woman who has inspired my career. Straightaway, Mrs. Kathryn Seabron came to mind.
Mrs. Seabron was my ninth-grade Honors English teacher. I can still remember the day that Mrs. Helm, my guidance counselor, sent for me during Biology class to tell me that my test scores had returned and that she was recommending a change in my schedule. “No more regular English”, she said, “You’re going to Honors with Mrs. Seabron”. I wish I could describe the feeling. Elated, perhaps? I had no idea then what a treat I was in for.
Fast forward to the next day when I arrived at Mrs. Seabron’s door. She emanated pure and relentless grace, an elegance I’d not seen before, standing there at the door ready to greet all who entered. Back then, all of my teachers dressed to the nines, professional and poised but something about Mrs. Seabron’s style captivated me, pushing me to hang on to her every word. I greedily ate up all of them as she introduced me to the various works of Shakespeare, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Reginald Rose, among others, who I’d later study and compare their writing styles to my own. Back then I was reading the likes of Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim, so to be able to contrast the real-life grit via a manner of storytelling that speaks volumes with romanticism was the wave I didn’t know I needed to ride. We didn’t have culturally responsive educational materials to glean from back when. Looking back, I imagine Mrs. Seabron had to get super creative and utilize what was available to her; what the district mandated she utilize. And she did that. Supreme.
So much so that I dedicated my second children’s book to Mrs. Seabron. Inside the multicolored #80 cover, I wrote a note of gratitude that said “Thank you, Mrs. Seabron, for guiding me here to purpose.”
I had no idea she was still teaching, partly because Detroit Public Schools had undergone organizational change and I couldn’t locate her name and profile on their website. I accepted that I’d never be able to connect with her again, but vowed to acknowledge her throughout my life’s contribution, no matter what.
Today’s LinkedIn post caused me to look again and I’m so glad I did. Turns out, Mrs. Seabron and all her splendor is still teaching. If my math is correct, it makes 36 glorious years of imparting English in a way that only she can. Humbled by that notion, I had to reach out to her via telephone and tell her how grateful I continue to be for her. Her voice was still radiant and beaming. The light she shone through the phone sparked an emotional moment for me that I’ll never forget. For I recognized yet again that despite the fatigue and unappreciated moments that often linger as an educator, I am honored to have learned from the best. And for that, I am grateful not just during Women’s History Month or on International Women’s Day but every day.
Tomorrow we’re celebrating Black Women & International Women’s Day with an event that honors their role as the world’s first mother and our greatest inspiration. We’ll be spitting fresh spoken word and harmonizing the intent to uplift the woman every chance we get. The event is free, open to the community, and accessible via the details on the flyer above and at NguzoSaba365.com at the top, right-hand corner of the page that says “Zoom Login”. Please join us.
Last week Sunshine hosted a mini-lesson on Black Women who have shaped Education with their POWER SKILLS during the Saturday S.T.E.M. and Culture Learning Session. She encouraged Imagireaders to step up their history game and dive deep into how the natural talents and skills of these four incredible women helped to shape the educational landscape as we know it. 👏🏽 We think Sunshine did a great job. What do you think?
Michigan First Credit Union Sponsors NBA Math Hoops Regional Tournament
Shout-out to home-town greatness yet again for bringing children from across the nation to the Motor City to battle it out during the NBA Math Hoops Regional Tournament. Kudos to the kids who continuously speculated stats and improved their math skills this year. We can’t wait to see who takes home the title!
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