Tag: #education

5 Qualities that I Value in a Teacher | Teacher Appreciation Week 💜

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After COVID-19 hit, I think more people started to recognize the importance of teachers. Monday, May 2 – Friday, May 6 is Teacher Appreciation Week, which gives us the opportunity to contribute to all of those who are teaching and/or have taught us throughout our years of education.

Teaching has got to be one of the most important jobs in the world. So, as a thank you to every dedicated teacher around the world, I will be sharing 5 of the qualities that I value in a teacher, from the point of view of a soon-to-be high school freshman. Let’s get started!

1. Dedication to teaching (and learning along the way)

I am a strong believer than anyone who works should be dedicated to their job. Teachers who truly want to see their students reach the best of their potential and do everything in their power to help every child have success deserve a solute. In addition, I love it when teachers can acknowledge that although they are educated, there are still things that they can learn along the way, whether that is technology or learning strategies; no matter how good we are at something, there is always room to grow.

2. Strong communication

Relationships in general need a good sense of communication to be beneficial for both people. I feel seen when I have a teacher who is willing to make sure that I truly understand the topics that we are reviewing. Knowing that you can approach your teacher when you need their help is a big relief, as it shows me that they care about my growth and success as their student.

3. Patience, with a love to teach

I understand that some students can be A LOT to handle at some points, especially those who have frequent visits to the principal’s office. That being said, a teacher who is able to “handle the heat” in a calm and professional manner is likely a really good educator. This trait really shows me that the teacher can think about the best way to handle a situation in a timely manner. Along with this, I feel as though a teacher who isn’t easily angered is also able to show their empathy and genuine wish for the well-being of their students, another great quality for a teacher to have.

4. Preparation

One of my largest pet peeves (when it comes to education) is when a teacher isn’t prepared. This probably has something to do with the fact that I’m an early bird, but my opinion still stands. Although I don’t think this is the ONLY good quality of a good teacher (by far), I appreciate when a teacher is organized, and keeps good time management. Although everything doesn’t always go as planned, the ability to stay on the schedule is a very admirable trait to have in an educator.

5. Fun, interactive classes

Last, but definitely not least, I STRONGLY value when a teacher has fun classes. Sure, watching a video presentation and taking some notes will get the job done, but the lessons where visuals, audio, and hands-on activities are combined tend to be the most effective (not to mention the most fun.) I think that if every teacher knew how to make their classes enjoyable, then many more kids and teenagers would enjoy learning. That’s why I give a tip of the hat to every teacher who makes sure they are reaching all types of learners.

Teachers are an extremely important part of our society. Think about it: our teachers are with us almost as much as we are with our parents or guardians. They take a huge part in raising children to be educated and responsible adults once they enter the real world. This is exactly why every good teacher in the world deserves the utmost gratitude. They are truly a blessing from the Lord.

Thanks to all of my dedicated, wonderful teachers (from the present and the past), who have taught me things to last a lifetime.

LET’S CHAT~ What 5 qualities do YOU value most in a teacher? Feel welcome to comment down below.

In all honesty, when it comes to every trait that makes a good teacher, I believe that I only scratched the surface, with this list. I can even think of a few other good qualities, at the top of my head. Oh, well. There’s always next year. (Hint, hint 😋✨😉)

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! May God bless you all and I’ll “see” you next time!✨

Happy Black History Month!

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Guess what, y’all. Today is February 1st, also known as the very beginning of Black History Month. People in countries around the world celebrate the contributions of black brothers and sisters, as well as our allies, to help our nation progress into what it is today. Everyday is a part of our history. Everyday, new history is created that will last through generations.

Black History Month is simply when our history, heritage, and culture are acknowledged, not only as black people, but as American citizens and human beings.

This month isn’t just about self recognition, or the recognition of others. It’s also an opportunity for us to educate ourselves and learn about contributions to the world and our nation, as well as how we can participate in peaceful, modern movements such as Black Lives Matter. Black History Month is a time to give back to our communities and continue to take steps forward.

And the beauty of it all is you can take time to honor Black History no matter who you are. Anyone can make the choice to become educated, so that we may rise together and continue to make progress in the places that we call home.

What choice will you make today? ❤️💛💚

How to Stay Organized as a Virtual Student

Q'Zion5 Comments

Something really important to me as a student that does work at home, and has been for 5 years, is organization. When my workspace is organized, I automatically feel more productive and I can remain focused on the tasks at hand. A clean space can also cause for a clean sense of concentration that will make it easier for anyone to study.

The only catch is organization is not an easy task for everyone. If you happen to be one of these people, don’t worry! I’ve got some great tips for you to help you learn how you can stay productive and confident while completing your work.

Choose a designated workspace.

This first point is a big one, and I’ll explain why: If you don’t have one fixed space where you always come to in order to study and get your work completed, it’s easy to loose track of supplies, notebooks, and other items you may need.

When you have a designated space to work, everything is where you left it, therefore making your whole study experience more enjoyable and a lot less of a hassle.

Have a calendar and/or planner handy.

Personally, I have a lot of appointments, club meetings, and live classes that I like to (and sometimes have to) attend for school.

Let. Me. Tell. You. As far as material items go, planners and calendars can be a homeschooler’s best friend. Not only do they easily allow you to document all of your to-dos, but it can also give you a peace of mind: you won’t have to remember everything by yourself. All you’ll have to do is take a look at your calendar or planner.

Take lots of notes. Organized notes.

Note-taking is a great technique if you want to get a good review of the Module or Segment before a test, and they can be extremely productive, as long as they are organized. There may even be note resources that your school provides, so if that’s available, take full advantage of that! In order to create organized notes, take a look at these bonus tips:

  • Separate your binders and notebooks by course. Every course needs a designated notebook.
  • When you do a new lesson, start a new page.
  • Write down lists with bullet points (the dots before each sentence in this list.)
  • Use highlighters to make key points stand out.
  • Organize the text by headings, always making sure to label each page with a title, explaining which lesson it covers.

Create and maintain a routine.

Things can get a little “messy” when you don’t have a routine. Without some type of schedule, there’s no specific time when you need to wake up, do your work, and meet the necessary attendance requirements your school has in place.

It’s best to create a routine where you set an alarm for when you wake up and have a time frame or fixed goal for how long you need to work or how many assignments you will submit every day. I love this method, as not only does it help create productivity in our academic lives, but it can also help us make time for family, friends, clubs, and other extracurricular activities.

Eat breakfast before you start working.

Usually, I aim to wake up 60-90 minutes before I actually start doing my work for the day. I have to clean the beds in my house, plus eat breakfast, all before I “go to school.”

Therefore, waking up a decent (but not too large) amount of time before your work begins will give you time for a nutritious breakfast to get your mind moving and start off the day strong! A good attitude is a HUGE factor in productivity, no matter how or where you learn.

Take breaks.

While a lot of people would guess that homeschoolers don’t actually have to work, I’m sure me and you know otherwise. It’s possible to spend 4-5 hours every day, Monday through Friday, working in order to complete all of our assignments.

In order to prevent fatigue, take at least one 30-minute break every day that you do your work for over 4 hours. It gives you an opportunity to get a healthy lunch, rejuvenating your energy, hence helping get you through the day.

Hopefully, this list of tips was a great help to anyone who works at home and needs some guidance on how to get and stay organized. Remember, as long as you have determination, a good attitude, and good organization, your online education is sure to be successful.

Have a great day, y’all! ✨

5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge

Q'Zion4 Comments

5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge

-ajoyfulchristianteen ✨

Grudges. Chances are, we are all familiar with them. In case you don’t know what a grudge is, it is considered resentment or anger that someone has towards a person. It could be for something that this person did or didn’t do that makes someone else upset to the point where they might avoid contact with the person who upset them for a certain amount of time, whether it be days, weeks, months, or even years.

Having a grudge is common, and it often destroys friendships and even people’s relationships with their family. Personally, I think that grudges can be avoided. Despite the fact that it can be easy to hold a grudge, it’s important that we find positive ways to express our emotions when we are upset with someone.

Let’s discuss 5 Things to Consider if You Are Holding a Grudge! ✨

#1 – Grudges can lack accountability.

You might question exactly what I mean by this. I am trying to say that a lot of times, when we hold grudges, we often try to make ourselves a victim, without fully acknowledging what we could’ve done wrong that possibly caused the falling out in the first place. It’s important that we hold ourselves accountable first and foremost to address the situation correctly.

#2 – Nobody is promised tomorrow on this Earth.

I know that it can be easy to get upset with someone when they do something that has hurt us. However, we should make sure we take time to think about the situation, particularly if we are holding a grudge against a family member or a really good friend. What were the person’s true intentions? Was there a problem with communication that could have resulted in this situation?

We aren’t promised tomorrow on Earth, so it is best to forgive, whether you continue the relationship, or not.

#3 – It is okay to keep your distance if a person has a negative effect on you.

The truth is, there are some people that are unhealthy influences. If you feel as though someone doesn’t have your best interests at heart, or they have a negative impact on you, it’s probably best to move on. Keep in mind that the grudge doesn’t have to continue. You can forgive someone without having to be around them.

#4 – Holding a grudge is not “winning.”

While holding a grudge, we often say things like, “I’m not talking to you until you apologize.”

Sometimes, we will say this to mask our true emotions or how we feel. Because we are angry, or sad, or hurt due to someone else’s actions, we try to reflect that anger on someone else by refusing contact.

The point of a grudge is letting someone’s actions affect us in a way that could be dangerous to our health. It can prohibit a person from having healthy relationships, in the future, because they might put a guard up due to possible negative experiences.

#5 – The ability to forgive is a strength — not a weakness.

When we forgive someone, and I mean truly forgive, we are saying, “Despite everything, I love myself too much to allow this to affect me negatively.”

When we forgive not only others, but ourselves, we release our anger, bitterness, and sadness. When we forgive it doesn’t mean that we are losing anything. We are winning, not because we are better than the other person, but because we are making a choice that is best for our health mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Forgiveness makes us stronger, because when we are able to forgive, it means that we know our worth.

I hope you all loved 5 Things to Consider If You’re Holding a Grudge! ✨

Although grudges are easy to develop, all they are is an obstacle that we may need to pass here and there. With a little determination and confidence, we can get through it!

Have a wonderful day, everyone! ✨

5 Reasons Why You Should Read More Often (Reblog)

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hello, again, beautiful people! I hope you all are having an amazing and wonderful day, night, or whatever time you are reading this. Alright, everyone. I don’t know about you, but for me, school is going to be starting extremely soon! And, I’m pretty excited about it. However, I also know that there is one particular thing that most kids aren’t fond of: reading. ✨

Well, it’s for this reason that I wanted to give you 5 Reason Why You Should Read More Often!

You might not know this, but reading actually has many benefits for your health and overall mood. I’ve loved to read and write books ever since I was in preschool, and, hopefully, after you check out these awesome tips, you will, too!

So, let’s get into it! 

  1. Reading increases your memory. ✨

By reading a book, it becomes a responsibility to remember all of its elements. You need to remember the plot, the characters, the settings, and many other details that help you to understand the story, as a whole. When your brain creates a new memory, it creates new brain channels and strengthens existing ones, therefore improving memory.

2. Reading can boost your focus and concentration. ✨

Have you ever been distracted once or twice during school? If so, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s probably happened to everyone at least once in their life. You might not realize this, but, when reading, you are putting all of your attention, or focus, on the story. You are taking in all of those elements and details. Therefore, you are increasing your ability to concentrate on what you are doing. Don’t believe me? Try reading for at least 10-15 minutes before you have to get ready for school. See how much better you can focus on your classes.

3. Reading reduces stress.

It doesn’t matter how tough your day at school is. It’s easy to forget about everything else that’s on your mind when you become lost in a great story. Reverting back to the last fact, reading causes you to focus on the story. Therefore, when you read a book, it gives you a greater opportunity to relax.

4. Reading increases your vocabulary.

While reading, especially YA (Young Adult) novels, you are discovering lots of new words and phrases. Because of this, you will be able to use these words and phrases when doing everyday things. Plus, you have to admit, using long words that your friends don’t know the meaning to can make for a pretty good laugh, don’t you think?

5. Reading is a great source of entertainment.

Whether you are just a little bored or you’re grounded and can’t spend most of your time watching YouTube videos, reading is a wonderful way to spend your time. Once you get lost in a really good book, it is just as entertaining as any other activity as the author lures you into an amazing adventure!

Alright, everyone! I really hope that you enjoyed those 5 Reasons Why You Should Read More Often! ✨

You might think it’s boring now, but, once you get your hands on a great story and dive deep into the characters and their journey, it’s really a wonderful feeling! Not only that, but, as proven above, you can get many other benefits from reading, as well!

Have a wonderful, beautiful, and educational day, my beautiful viewers! ✨

4 Inspirational Quotes and Bible Verses

Q'Zion3 Comments

One thing that I know is that everyone needs a little bit of inspiration from time to time. Sometimes, it is hard to get so much done everyday, and we need a little quote or verse to help us continue to tomorrow. ✨

If you are in need of some inspiration, feel free to read these 4 Inspirational Quotes and Bible Verses that I hope make you smile today! Also, if there’s any quote or verse that sticks close to your heart, then feel free to comment them down below to share what gives you inspiration!

Let’s get started!

Quote 1: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde ✨

Always remember that nobody else can be you, and therefore, you cannot be anyone else. Embrace who you are, and see the beauty in your authentic self. You are original, beautiful, and one of a kind.

Verse 1: Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ✨

I really admire this Bible verse. It tells us how it’s important that, in all the darkness of the world, we stand out, and be the light. Blending in with the crowd isn’t always the best thing. Therefore, it is best to do things that make you stand out, in a positive way!

Quote 2: “You are braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. – A. A. Milne ✨

This quote can be very much true in some situations. Sometimes, we don’t see the potential that we really have, and how amazing we really are. However, we are brave, strong, and smart individuals, even if the world cannot see that.

Verse 2: 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ✨

The Lord says to us, that just because we are young, doesn’t mean that we should be looked down upon by adults. God gives us the will to set an example to others through our actions in love, faith, and purity! Therefore, don’t be afraid to spread God’s word! We are all his children!

Quote 3: Making mistakes is better than faking perfections. – Assan Jallow ✨

A lot of us have probably felt the pressure to be perfect. However, let’s be honest: this is unrealistic for anyone except God. Therefore, it is okay to make mistakes sometimes. Our mistakes are part of what make us who we are. Just be yourself, and don’t sweat it when you make a mistake! Your effort is what matters most!

Verse 3: Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ✨

We can be easily tempted to do wrong things in times of trouble. However, always remember to do what is right in the Lord’s eyes. If we do, then we will “reap a harvest,” or benefit from our actions, afterward.

Quote 4: You are enough, just as you are. – Megan Markle ✨

Although this quote is very simple, it holds a lot of truth. Whenever you feel as though you are not enough for a position, a person, or a task, remember that you are enough. You are worthy. As long as you tried your best, you did not fail.

Verse 4: Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ✨

If you ever feel intimidated by someone, such as people from school, remember that God is always with you, and he will protect us and take care of us! He never leaves our side, even if we cannot see him as we can each other.

I really hope that you enjoyed these 4 Inspirational Quotes and Bible Verses! Always remember to be yourself and trust in the Lord. He will not give us more then we can handle, and who we show up as in the world should be a light in all of the darkness.

Have a fantastic day, y’all! ✨

5 Reasons Why You Should Read More Often

Q'Zion1 Comment

Hello, again, beautiful people! I hope you all are having an amazing and wonderful day, night, or whatever time you are reading this. Alright, everyone. I don’t know about you, but for me, school is going to be starting extremely soon! And, I’m pretty excited about it. However, I also know that there is one particular thing that most kids aren’t fond of: reading. ✨

Well, it’s for this reason that I wanted to give you 5 Reason Why You Should Read More Often.

You might not know this, but reading actually has many benefits for your health and overall mood. I’ve loved to read and write books ever since I was in preschool, and, hopefully, after you check out these awesome tips, you will, too!

So, let’s get into it!

  1. Reading increases your memory. ✨

By reading a book, it becomes a responsibility to remember all of its elements. You need to remember the plot, the characters, the settings, and many other details that help you to understand the story, as a whole. When your brain creates a new memory, it creates new brain channels and strengthens existing ones, therefore improving memory.

2. Reading can boost your focus and concentration. ✨

Have you ever been distracted once or twice during school? If so, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s probably happened to everyone at least once in their life. You might not realize this, but, when reading, you are putting all of your attention, or focus, on the story. You are taking in all of those elements and details. Therefore, you are increasing your ability to concentrate on what you are doing. Don’t believe me? Try reading for at least 10-15 minutes before you have to get ready for school. See how much better you can focus on your classes.

3. Reading reduces stress.

It doesn’t matter how tough your day at school is. It’s easy to forget about everything else that’s on your mind when you become lost in a great story. Reverting back to the last fact, reading causes you to focus on the story. Therefore, when you read a book, it gives you a greater opportunity to relax.

4. Reading increases your vocabulary.

While reading, especially YA (Young Adult) novels, you are discovering lots of new words and phrases. Because of this, you will be able to use these words and phrases when doing everyday things. Plus, you have to admit, using long words that your friends don’t know the meaning to can make for a pretty good laugh, don’t you think?

5. Reading is a great source of entertainment.

Whether you are just a little bored or you’re grounded and can’t spend most of your time watching YouTube videos, reading is a wonderful way to spend your time. Once you get lost in a really good book, it is just as entertaining as any other activity as the author lures you into an amazing adventure!

Alright, everyone! I really hope that you enjoyed those 5 Reasons Why You Should Read More Often! ✨

You might think it’s boring now, but, once you get your hands on a great story and dive deep into the characters and their journey, it’s really a wonderful feeling! Not only that, but, as proven above, you can get many other benefits from reading, as well!

Have a wonderful, beautiful, and educational day, my beautiful viewers! ✨

Back-to-School Prepping

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Hello, again, beautiful people! I’m back for another post! Today, I wanted to ask you guys about what you’ve been doing to prepare for school. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s almost time for my summer break to come to an end. And honestly, the time felt like it went by really quickly, and really slowly all in one. ✨

However, I’m also kind of excited for this next year, since I’ll be starting 8th grade (my last year of middle school!) I am so excited to meet my new teachers, new friends, and possibly join new clubs. And that’s not even mentioning a new photography class that I’ll be taking!

Alright! So, what I’m going to do is ask you guys questions about what you’ve done to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, all while giving my personal answers to each question. Comment down below your answer to each question! I would love to know what each of you plan to do!

You ready? Time to get started!

  1. Are you going to go to school virtually or in person?

A: Well, this question is pretty easy for me to answer, since I’m homeschooled, and have been since the middle of 3rd grade. Personally, I love it, since I have a lot of flexibility when it comes to how I have to submit my assignments! I’m happy that I’ve already figured out how I’ll attend school this year!

2. What are you most excited about for this school year?

A: Oof. This question is actually pretty difficult for me to answer since there are so many big things that are happening this year. However, I would have to repeat what I said earlier, and say this being my last year of middle school. This means that I only have 5 more years of school before college! I can already tell that high school is going to be awesome!

3. How much, if any, school supplies have you/your parents bought?

A: For the most part, I haven’t needed to do much shopping, since, over the years, me and my Goodmommy have stocked up on school supplies. However, for the most part, I just got some notebooks and glue sticks. I probably won’t be needing a lot more school supplies anytime soon!

4. What is your favorite/most anticipated school subject?

A: Well, I happen to be a straight-A student, so there really isn’t a subject that I’m particularly bad at. However, I will be starting pre-algebra this year, so that’s pretty exciting for me.

5. Last but not least, Will you be joining any clubs this year?

A: For seventh grade, I joined Creative Writing Club, Cooking Club, and the Black Student Union. Although they were really fun to participate in, I have to admit, that was a lot to keep up with. Therefore, I’ll probably only join one or two clubs this year, even though I don’t know which clubs they are yet.

Well, I hope you had fun reading my answers and coming up with your own for this school year! Don’t forget to comment down below your answers to these questions, and follow my blog if you enjoyed it!

Have a great day, beautiful people! And don’t forget, if you are going to school in-person, wear your masks! ❤️