A Note from The Teach

I left you last time with some of the more pitiful stories to be found in urban public schools...but I neglected to inform you of some of the more positive stories in life.  I know I said that my next blog would be time lines of some of my experiences, and in reviewing these pieces, I came to realize that it would read more like a court docket than anything.  I know it sounds interesting, and it is still in the works, but I wanted to give some positive stories before I fill your head with negative, scary and true stories straight from some of the toughest public schools. That is why the next several posts will highlight some of the more poignant "AHA's" I experienced throughout my teaching career or newer stories from my current business: GrowinBizKids, Inc. Giving students skills they need for a promising and prosperous tomorrow!

More on the State of Education

So, my first year of teaching, there was the kid who climbed up to the roof of the buildings.  The way I understand it, that was an improvement from the year before when he was regularly climbing the flagpoles.  . It was at this moment that I realized daycare wasn’t much different from public school, public school just paid better.
Year 2, I was so good with that kid, they gave him to me again.  This year I was able to "buy him off" by implementing a dollar system in my class for good behavior, whereby kids get classroom dollars for appropriate behaviors to spend at an end of the year auction.  This kids would do just about anything for cash!  In addition to that kid, there was the boy who couldn't read, but he improved his reading for cash (classroom dollars)...I understand he is on the honor roll now, in middle school.
Year 3, the gangsta's kids...maybe that's enough said, but I am sure those stories will eventually unfold.  I was able to "buy" them off too.
Year 4, the Bronx.  All I can say is, the movies aren't far off.  You have the kids pushing all the limits and the staff divided between those who believe in the kids, and those who believe in beating the kids...those who believe in the kids are typically outnumbered.
Year 5, after realizing that the only way I get and keep my kids attention was when I was talking about business or money, I decided I was going to quit my job to teach financial literacy.  It was one thing that needed to be taught, and was NOT getting enough exposure in schools.

The thing that intrigued me most about the unique curriculum I was about to devise, was the ability to integrate social studies, science education, math, reading and writing into all we do.  I also was very excited about the ability to differentiate the curriculum to the needs and interests of the children.  I also had to figure out if the kids were going to keep the money they earned, and what would be the legal ramifications of such a thing.  What I was thinking to attempt, had never been done, to my knowledge, on the scale of which I was about to do it.


GrowinBizKids, Incorporated was started because I noticed that money intrigued and motivated my students, business really got their attention. It was important to me to capitalize on these things. I had learned first hand, that school did not prepare me for the real world of bills, responsibility, and putting food on the table. That was a learning experience; it is what I refer to as learning the hard way. It was also a fate that I did not want for my own children, biological or students in my classes. As I did research on companies that teach kids about money and financing, I realized several things:

-most of these programs do not have authentic money making experiences

-many of the programs had activities, but they were not authentic enough to promote retention of the concepts being taught.

-many of the programs were put together by business people, not teachers.

-some programs only targeted older students.

GrowinBizKids, Inc. has developed the Kids in Success Series program for kids aged 4-8.  This program brings a storytime atmosphere to young children.  The stories contain messages about money, finances and economics, and messages about success principles; in a way that little guys can understand.
The GrowinUP Experience is created for kids ages 8-18.  This program puts kids in teams of 5.  Through our unique curriculum, kids experience goal setting and planning to start and run a business.  They raise money for charity and a huge celebration that they plan themselves.  Through this business model, kids get to experience first hand what it is like to make money with their teams.  The curriculum is team centered, utilizing the kids needs and interests as the back drop for their unique education.  Currently, the company is looking for more teams of kids, working on taking the company global with online learning experiences, and creating our family targeted financial literacy program: Dr. Biz Kids.  Stay tuned for more details about the Kid in the Cabinet, The state of education and what I plan to do about it.

To check out what GrowinBizKids is up to, check out any of the following links to connect with us:
http://www.growinbizkids.com/
http://www.growinbizkids.ning.com/
gbkidzyo.blogspot.com

twitter.com/kidinthecabinet
twitter.com/growinbizkids

For further questions or comments, email growinbizkids@rocketmail.com