Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

University of Delaware Convocation 2016 June 1, 2016

On Friday, May 27, 2016, our son, Tayair Ishmael Blake participated in a Convocation held at the University of Delaware where he received a Certificate of Successful Completion of Career and Life Studies (CLSC).

UDel Convocation 075

He along with his fellow classmates were part of the ceremony which also included hundreds of graduating students receiving an undergraduate and graduate degree from the College of Education and Human Development. Oh by the way, there was a gentleman who received his degree at the age of 64 which was also awesome!

Tayair and his fellow classmates

If you remember from previous posts, due to Tayair’s early medical history he is classified as Intellectually Disabled, but you also know from his recent presentation at a staff meeting at the Delaware Health and Social Services his motto “Being Disabled Does Not Mean We Are Not Able”. The events of the day is only further proof that anything can be done when you decide not to give up.

adults with disabilities graduate from college

Needless to say, his father and I were super excited as was his brother and even the misspelling of his name on the certificate couldn’t put a damper on the day.

There are also more pictures on my Facebook and Instgram pages.

our son received his certificate

Never give up

helping Tayair get ready for graduation

I could write more about the event, however, for this post I am just going to let the pictures and video speak louder than my words!

University of Delaware University of Delaware Convocation 2016 Career and Life Studies at UDel family and graduation

Being Silly Before Being Serious!

convocation at the University of Delaware

This sums up the day!

UDGrad2016

For more information on the CLSC Program check out their website

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2012/jan/career-life-studies-010612.html

The CLSC program offers specialized coursework in career studies and life skills, as well as other inclusive learning opportunities on campus, including participation in UD undergraduate classes, clubs and activities. An individualized plan is created with each student that includes peer mentoring, staff coaching and support as identified through person-centered planning.

CLSC is coordinated through the College of Education and Human Development, School of Education, Center for Disabilities Studies and the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies.

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Amazon gets an “A” in Education October 5, 2015

Amazon gets an “A” in Education

Amazon never ceases to amaze me, once a little start up selling books over the Internet founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, then launched in 1995; now has on-site classroom training available at several of their fulfillment centers including the one in our little town of Middletown.

The e-commerce distribution center in Middletown, Delaware offers on-site classroom instruction to it’s employees with courses being taught by Delaware Technical Community College instructors.

Employees of Amazon who wish to continue their education can now do so right after work, which for many is very convenient especially after working a 10 hour shift. Instead of driving miles to a local Del Tech campus, they can simply clock out after their shift is done then walk down the hall to their classroom.

The Delaware facility is just one of only eight Amazon fulfillment centers to offer on-site classroom instruction for their workers and it definitely benefits many of our state’s residents.

Amazon’s Career Choice education program launched in 2012, gives it’s employees an incentive to pursue a degree or certification program because they pre-pay up to $3000.00 per year for tuition, textbooks and college fees even if they chose to attend another college or university.

We all know how expensive college can be so this is definitely a great opportunity for many even if they decide to stay on at Amazon or leave to pursue other career choices.

In order to qualify for the Career Choice Program, Amazon workers must be employed at the company for at least a year. Workers must also enroll in a degree or certification program that prepares them for a career designated as “high demand” by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Delaware Tech and Amazon are now in talks to provide credit courses on site, possibly starting in 2016.

Would you enroll in an on-site classroom if your employer offered it?

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When Did I Teach My Sons How To Peel a Potato? July 22, 2014

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.

Sometimes I used to wish that there was a manual with chapters that could answer questions about raising my sons, questions like when was it a good time to teach them the basics. When do we teach them how to cook and clean or manage a household? When do we teach them how to write a check or pay a bill? Do we teach our daughters differently than our sons?

So many questions ran through my mind and now with them starting college in a few weeks, and the youngest leaving home for the first time, a strange question popped into my head, does my son know how to peel a potato?

When did you teach your sons how to sew?

When did you teach them how to cook?

When did you teach your sons how to wash their clothes, fold and then put them away?

When did you teach your sons how to clean a toilet, scrub a tub or wash a mirror?

When did you teach them how to sweep, mop or vacuum a floor?

When did you teach your sons how to iron their clothes?

When did you teach them how to make their bed?

When did you teach your sons how to wash dishes or load the dishwasher?

When did you teach them how to dust?

When did I teach my son how to peel a potato?

I don’t remember when I taught them any of this, but I’m glad that I did!

When did you teach your son or daughter how to peel a potato?

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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Blogging For Your Small Business October 9, 2013

Last week I taught another class, this one was “Blogging For Your Small Business” held at The Bear Public Library, in Bear, DE. It was the second blogging class that I had an opportunity to teach thanks to The Money School of Delaware. There weren’t as many students enrolled in this class which allowed us more time for questions and answers as well as to do a little networking.

Blogging for Small Business

Enjoying teaching the class

In attendance, along with her mother was Kayla Williams, a 9 year old who is the owner and designer of Kay-Luv-Kreations Jewelry. Kayla showcased her current line of jewelry and has already participated in several vendoring events at Churches and local Craft Shows. This young lady is a lovely entrepreneur and her mother is certainly proud of her. Kayla can be contacted via email at kaylagems123@aol.com.

Lynette Oliver, The SewLadi, creates and sells adorable Handmade Gift Items including Hats, Scarves, Dolls, Key Chain Holders, Money trees, Business Card Holders and Cotton Dish Cloth Dresses. Lynette also conducts sewing, knitting and crocheting classes and has an Etsy Shop, www.etsy.com/shop/thesweladi. Lynette can be reached at thesewladi@gmail.com.

Regina Redden, Consultant/Educator is a very passionate woman when it comes to the upbringing and educating today’s youth. Helping early childhood educators provide building blocks for a strong foundation is her motto, and she can be reached at Edu1Consultants@hotmail.com.

Also in attendance was Carla Shipman owner of Declutter Enterprise, LLC, who I had previously met at The Money School’s Green Tie Event. I will definitely be enlisting her services in preparation of downsizing our home over the course of the next several years. Carla can be reached at csdeclutter@gmail.com.

Rasheeda Demby-Chenault is the Owner/Stylist/Aesthetician of Demby International Beauty Studio located in Wilmington. Rasheeda can be contacted at dembyintl@verizon.net.

Carla Holland, is a Training Coordinator and Business Advisor for the University of Delaware Small Business & Technology Development Center. If you require additional information about this program, feel free to reach out to Carla at carla@udel.edu.

The only male attendee in the class was Willard Williams, of Gemstone Real Estate Group, who kept me on my toes with his many questions. As an educator it’s job satisfaction when you can share your knowledge with others especially to those who are eager to learn. If you are in need of housing services, rentals, lease or purchases, Willard can be reached at williamswillard993@yahoo.com.

Listening to the questions

I would like to once again thank The Money School of Delaware for giving me an opportunity to be a guest instructor. I know that it is a stepping stone leading to something great for my retirement years…yes, I’m putting it into the atmosphere!

Have a fantabulous day – Smooches

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Blogging 101 Class September 11, 2013

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday.

Remember when I told you about the opportunity that was presented to me by The Money School of Delaware to teach a Blogging 101 class? Well, it happened…I did it, I taught a class last Wednesday at the Bear Public Library.

In 1983, I received my BS Degree in Elementary Education from Delaware State (College), but only taught 1 year of 3rd grade before leaving to work in Corporate America. This was the first time since then of being back in a classroom…teaching…doing something that I’ve always loved to do.

I was on pins and needles for months in anticipation, reading everything I could online and from fellow bloggers as well as from the “Blogging for Dummies” book. I was super excited to share what I had learned and prayed that all would go well.

The class was full with 20 people registered, however, there were several no-shows but the walk-ins took their place making it a total of 18 participants. “Not a bad turn out for a new class” stated the Library’s scheduler, which made me feel good.

I was a little nervous only because of the traffic delays that I had encountered trying to get there before the start time and upon arrival there were already 3 people seated. After setting up the laptop with my PowerPoint presentation, I downloaded some Smooth Jazz from Pandora and waited until the start time of 6:30 pm. to begin.

Do you know that saying, “I hit it out of the park”? Well I did…it was an awesome evening, a lively and engaging group of woman ranging in ages from 15 to 60, mothers with daughters and small business owners all eager to learn the basics of blogging. They asked great questions, participated by sharing stories and overall made this a memorable experience for which I’ll forever be grateful.

It was my grandmother’s wish that I would someday return to teaching, so I know she was looking down on me with a smile. Next month I’ll be presenting “Blogging for Small Businesses”, so it’s off to read and learn more, create a new presentation, download more Smooth Jazz and prepare to meet some new students.

Have you ever had an opportunity to go back and do something that you truly loved to do?

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Back to School August 27, 2013

Hello Friends and Happy Back to School 2013!

Today my son starts his last first day back to school, entering as a HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR!!!

I watched the young kids in the neighborhood wait for the big yellow School Bus and had a lump in my throat because this is how it used to be on my son’s first day back to school…