Here are few words from our participants to best describe the experience:
“This didn't feel like a workshop, it was nice to sit back and listen to Mr. Martin. What an inspirational speaker that comes from real experiences.” “Rose and Craig you both were so warming and welcoming to listen to! I'd love to sit on more conversations with you!” “Craig and Rose were fabulous. It was great to have a safe space to have important discussions.” “Rose's voice is so soothing, and Craig's energy is so infectious." "If Rose is the refreshment of a rhythmic ocean wave to calm you, then Craig is the bright sun that's warming your soul." "I really appreciate your teamwork. I think it would be helpful in the future to ask for questions in advance to help streamline the Q+A forum. I wish my district had clones of you both!”
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"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time."--James Baldwin I, too am Ahmaud, Sean, Rodney, Philandro, Malcolm, and Martin! Can anyone see we are all connected? It is unfortunate that the currency of compassion were not afforded them and scores of many like them across the annals of time. While their flesh may be laid to rest, their spirits reign abundantly inside of us. As a firestorm of newscasts highlight yet another Black and Brown body brutally extinguished before us, for me and many men around, we suffer in silence. In this America, our intellect, commitment, Valor, and braun advance and innovate corporate conference rooms, classrooms, construction sites, canvases, and other spaces that benefit from our gifting, yet we find ourselves minimized, disregarded, and calloused. While our mothers, fathers, children, and partners demand excellence, presence, and masculinity from us, fellow bigoted countrymen figuratively and literally choke the life out of us. Internally, we struggle to be Men because we can bench 1000 pounds, run a 4 minute mile, and climb Mt. Olympus and still must remain measured and cower to someone who has 400 years of national empowerment that his "kind" is superior and can rightfully "put us in our place". What pains me most is the trauma our children face in watching these painful images on the screen. Their frequencies, no matter how young, are attuned to the gradations of pain we men sing deeply in our souls of a madness we endure each day we breathe. While we want to offer them and our world so much, our reservoirs are often empty. In my 20 year career, I have chided my scholars for hosting counter-narratives of themselves and raised their chins to the sky as Kings and Queens of this land. Paradoxically, this imagery rarely finds itself as mainstream. The barrage of inequities we face, as a people, are met in classrooms, job interviews, housing registration, courtrooms, grocery stores, and so much more. It's no wonder why our kids are growing up afflicted by ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, autism, and more. And so many of our youth challenge us because they feel like we are feeding them a Big Fat Lie--that their effort, their voice, their light matters! #DeepEffinSigh In this America, I can be killed for just being me. No medals or degrees or awards, or credentials I have earned will ever serve as a garment of protection from hatred I may encounter from a soul who does not see my humanity. And I have to still find a way to be what each of you need from me. I am NOT OKAY. I am hurting deeply inside because another soul I am divinely connected to lost his or her light today because their melanin encountered malice. I am choosing to keep the faith, to find some sense of reprieve in my moments among those who love and care for me and the men and women who also share the magic in our melanin. But there are times in which I close myself off from the world and cry bucket loads of tears, ball up in panic attacks, and punch at shadows in my dreams. Some times, I sit silently because I have no idea how I am going to make it through a day without screaming. I appreciate all the messages. With hope, love, and collective action we may impact the world we live in. It happens in small acts of kindness, good will, and changing hearts of those especially who have never found relevance or resonance with humanity that carries a different hue. We all know it will take changing legislation with revolutionary leaders who boldly invest in our collective humanity as our next tide. Here are some initial references that were shared with me or I have encountered that may provide some solace:
For those who are trying to figure out how to help.... Be Kind. Be Patient. Be Present. Check in. Do the work to Disrupt bias, hatred, and racism, even within yourself and among those you love, Extend care. And I will do the same. I was chosen to relentlessly create spaces where souls can find peace and love. And it is time I stand up and do so, even if it means my life may be on the line to liberate my next generation. Love, Craig Today’s educators have a plethora of treasure chests to deepen their professional prowess. Here are three gems worth exploring as you journey deeper into your practice.
I spent countless hours, as a teenager, lurking through the Amazon rainforest searching for idols of demigods; pressing my way through the dark and dank caves of Tulum terrified of bats, snakes, and the unknown; or leaping across the rooftops of ancient Kyushu temples in death-defying Samurai battles. Every Choose Your Own Adventure ® (CYOA) text always started the same way: “You and YOU ALONE are in charge of what happens in this story. The adventures you take are a result of your choice…” Entrenched in endless possibilities was savory and empowering. Regardless of what decision I made, I knew it got me closer to a new discovery about not just the characters driving the story--but about what I valued about myself in navigating new worlds beyond my being. In the education profession, there are just as many paths, or more, to personal enlightenment and growth. The education landscape is on the same pace as the Fast and Furious franchise. Emerging technologies, pedagogy, and practices are hitting our PLNs at lightning speeds. Unless you are glued to your IG, Twitter, and FB group feeds on a second by second basis, you are likely to miss something. Understandably, when you are leading a classroom or host of classrooms on a daily basis, it’s hard to stay adept and lucid unless you are tapped into a few reservoirs that yield incredible magic and wonderment. CYOA #1: Twitter Chats After the dinner dishes are done and you have put the kiddos to bed, Twitter Chats are a great space to explore the question: “Am I the only one with this issue…?” Twitter Chats are potent like expresso because you are learning, collaborating, and diagnosing the challenges in real-time among scores of professionals who are in the trenches with you. Hashing out ideas, curiosities, and frustrations in these friendly and resourceful spaces makes growing your peer group and network, worthwhile. Additionally, you are able to directly connect with #Edugladiators like @basilmarin, @philechols, @coolcatteacher, @krista_leh who are blazing the education trails. If you are looking for communities of practice in ASCD, hip hop ed, education leadership, ed tech, student voice, and so on and so forth--all you need to do is check out #EducationChats and find a chat that meets your schedule and needs, and a community that will welcome you with a warm hug. CYOA #2: Podcasts My day kicks off at 4:25 a.m. when I wake up. At 5 a.m., I am warming up at my local YMCA with stretching and a Podcast conversation. As a proud member of #FitLeaders, I welcome a hearty deadlift with some #BecomeBetter, #EdTalkLive, #ExtraordinaryEducator, #TheGoogleTribe, The Ten Minute Teacher, #TedTalks, and some #SuperSoulSunday. While I am working on perfect squat and deadlift form, I am consuming content that will become an inspiration to professional development workshops, grade level PLC share and cares, and digital media weekly e-blasts. You can enjoy the richness of Podcasts on a walk when you need to drown out that annoying friend or loved one (HA!), or in the comfort of your local coffee shop. In recent years, I have found it more restorative and calming to listen to Podcasts on my drive to and from places. I have found many podcasts hosts to be entertaining, incredibly informed, and on the pulse of today’s education reform, which makes my learning curve more worthwhile. CYOA #3: MOOCs & eLearning Conferences & Summits Lifelong Learners are always scouring the digital world to locate new content they can utilize in honing their craft. MOOCs, also known as Massive Open Online Courses, are professional learning juggernauts. If you are self-motivated and inspired to take learning into your own hands, I believe you should check out Coursera, the Friday Institute, and EDx. You could easily find yourself enrolled in free or really inexpensive self-driven courses like Social Emotional Learning for Educators, Fractions for Elementary Teachers, Artificial Intelligence, and Python. When you have completed a course, you get a stunning certificate that you can add to your LinkedIn profile or your home office. eLearning Conferences & Summits are emerging as flexible yet meaningful learning experiences that place the power of professional growth in your hands. Organizations are adapting their learning platforms and convenings so that access to content can support rural educators in the mountains of India and Africa, homeschool educators in urban and suburban metropolitan cities and towns, and even preservice teachers in global universities and colleges. Scholars, researchers, community leaders, and top education experts offer insight into virtual spaces where participants are able to engage and network directly. Videos, presentations, tools, and more are generally curated for future use and is free for all. When your budget is tight or non-existent, I venture to these, happily, as part of my learning continuum. If eLearning is your way to go, I would recommend you calendaring Edweek, Share My Lesson Virtual Conference, #DitchSummit, Stroebel Education, and the #HiveSummit among tens of hundreds of others. Oprah Winfrey, Sir Ken Robinson, Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dr. Rosa Perez-Isiah, and Bill Gates all dedicate at least 5 or more hours of their incredibly busy schedules to intentional learning. Each, successful beyond our comprehension, has found power in sharpening their saw by learning from others around them. When we chose this path, we also made a commitment to navigating the curves and edges of a challenging learning landscape. In this great and mighty work we take on each day, we are never alone. If we choose to accept the challenge, we may find ourselves wholeheartedly enjoying the connection of hundreds to thousands of other adventure-seekers venturing into spaces they’ve never been before for the betterment of a happier and healthier whole child. Post also published on: https://shwca.se/facilitating-professional-learning COVID-19 is scary, and ugly, and reshaping how we move and connect in the world right now. But it is also teaching me to be grateful in the midst of this mess.
This Easter morning I am starting in gratitude and prayer for I have so many things to be thankful for. I sat with a hot cup of coffee and God beaming in my spirit lifting before my eyes the small things that have shown up for me during this time. I have 💛 in and around me. I am well in mind, body, and spirit. I live without artificial assistance. I have enough 💵 to make choices. God is real. God has shown up and shown out thousands of times in my life. God is showing us that there are millions of people ( doctors, nurses, cashiers, service workers, law enforcement, clergy, and volunteers) who are hopeful and filled with 💛 that are on the front lines for us today. They are braver than I am and are standing in the gap for so many of us. Each and every time anxiety rolls up on you... Each and every time you get frustrated with not being able to live your daily routine..... Each and every time you get disillusioned... Stop. Breathe. Collect yourself. write down, call out. sign 👌 out what you still have or are able to do or who is doing it for you because you have the privilege... We are blessed beyond measure to have this time to decipher what is real, what is necessary, and what we really have when we open ourselves up to the truth. My prayers go out to the hundreds of millions of us who are afflicted physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually by COVID-19. My prayers are coupled with hope. Hope we recognize Light and Love in the midst of the shadows of fear and despair. Our God continues to show up. And it is our choice to choose to see it. Strangely enough, we have been here before...but it was called 9-11, Trayvon Martin, the Holocaust, Jim Crow, the Potato Famine, AIDS, apartheid.... Will we realize that we are a Resilient People that have faced greater odds than this and we still experienced grace and growth? Love you all! It was my pleasure and honor to speak with Tammy and Umair about Turnaround School Practices.
Highlighted, I spoke on:
Feel free to join @TMus_Ed & Umair each month for Great Talks with a host of power #EduGladiators from around the world! “It’s a calling on us as educators to ensure that our students, families and communities are literate and they have the ability to get great jobs and realise their dreams so they can in turn help build their own communities. I interacted with students at the University of Johannesburg and I found that they were passionate about social justice, about equality and being part of a greater community. They spoke about how to access high quality education.”Please check out this article I was quoted in during my visit with the U.S. Consulate in South Africa:
https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/us-consulate-gives-local-teachers-and-pupils-a-boost-30398961 Enjoy Henry Seton's first episode of the Extraordinary Educator, which features Craig Martin, an award-winning teacher and principal of color from New Orleans who speaks with incredible wisdom, humor, and spirituality. Link here. 2) Please follow the podcast on Twitter (here) and like us on Facebook (here)! BeastMode...1st Days I don't want anyone to live with the idea that this shit is easy. I do not LOVE going to the gym. For me, it's a matter of lifestyle and survival. In my head I have a pretty solid image of who I want to be. However, the work getting there starts from the moment you wake up. Hiring a trainer was and is integral to the process. Form, Fit, and Accountability are hugely important to actualizing any goals you set for yourself. Over the last year, I have been following a few guys who are in varied spaces in their journey. Each offers something different that I believe I need to garner a better regard for the PROCESS. I need this as reference points to how to complete certain exercise and dietary needs appropriately. @dr_orear---Bodybuilder @bernard--Body Builder @brixfitness--From Fat to Fitness God @ From Fat to Fitness God I have no plan to become a bodybuilder. What I plan to do is build/shape this body to a place I want to enjoy for me. My current goals are simple: 1. Get stronger (quantifiably... I haven't set any goals on what that looks like yet) 2. Reduce my man breasts aka moobs down to maybe a B cup. 3. Reduce my tummy to the point I can see the beginning of a V if I flex and that it's more solid and not jelly donut-ish. Here is My Top Tips for those Beginning their Own Perpetual Beastmode Body Campaign: Take Photos throughout the Journey. I take nudes to keep myself honest. I take photos and video in the gym to keep me accountable and check my form. I ask myself. Am I improving with form, reps, and timing? I post content via social media because I enjoy attention and the feedback (being honest). Diet Matters 1. Lean proteins, veggies, and fruit are part of my day to day at least 2 out of 4 meals. 2. I add lemon or lime juice to my water to give it something extra because I don't enjoy drinking water by itself. 3. Protein shakes are necessary substitutes for snacking. I look for shakes with minimal sugars and high proteins since I lift and am still a foodie. 4. I have tried some BCAAs for a boost of energy. I also had a 1/4 of a tablespoon of creatine to launch the healing process post workout. I generally mix them together in my pre and post workout shakes. I have not experienced jitters or anything. Been on them for 5 weeks. Time will tell. I experience some energy boosts. But my lack of sleep and robust professional life wear at me. Weight Control 1. I get on the scale once a week, maybe. 2. I consider that now that I am weight lifting that my body is building muscle and the scale may be discouraging if the numbers aren't going down. 3. Diet matters. You cannot expect the weight to come down if you are not minimizing calories. 4. I do enjoy cheat meals. However, I have learned in the last 3 months that my cheat meals will probably be more asian fanfare (egg noodles, ramen, etc.) because I hate the fact that I burn calories and kill it in the gym and then have a subpar cheat meal. I have had more than I want to name. 5. I have a whiteboard I use to Chronicle my weights. It's helpful. I also include am and PM. It's good to determine how your body is processing and releasing toxins and such. The scale is quite the trickster. I have learned not to scale myself after showers or workouts. Again...this is how my body is responding. Yours may be more kind to you. Lol! Remember it is a Journey Be kind to yourself. You will have successes and hit benchmarks. However, you will hit the wall--Hard--and ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" Nothing great happens overnight. It's a slow brew. But its savory and worth it. Focus on your growth. When I started, I could plank for 20 seconds and do about 6 pushups in a minute. Now, I can plank for about 45 to 60 seconds without issue and about 15 to 25 pushups in a minute. Fail often. Fail forward. Continue to ask yourself: "What did I learn about myself when I did this?" DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS IN THE GYM. I REPEAT.... DO NOT CONPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS IN THE GYM. I REPEAT... DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS IN THE GYM. Some folks have been doing this for yeaaaaaaars! They have a drive, a routine, and a body narrative that you must experience for yourself. You cant get an 8 pack in 2 weeks all because you did 10,000 situps and 8,000 pushups. It doesn't work that way. The moment you have challenged yourself to do better than someone else there...you have set yourself up for danger! I have tried this and almost killed myself because I thought I was Big and Bad and my body and mind were at war with what I set myself up to do. 99% of the time...folks ain't thinking about u. They don't even notice you unless they want to.... And if that is what you want...cool. For me...its flattering but It is not getting me closer to my goals. Actually, I lose gains because i make it about the fantasy versus my own reality (which is a blog entry in itself). I look forward to sharing more about my journey as I go. It's all a process. I hope you stay along for the ride. Can you believe it's harder today to find a date than it was 100lbs ago?
One would think with all of this da'hk chocolate decadence that my dating card would be filling out real nicely. However, there is much I am learning about myself as a sophisticated and sexy single in 2018. Today, I find myself enthralled with pivoting from wrangling the 26+ year old cerebral weight of being obese and undesirable to a newly developed reality--that I am amazing in the skin that I am in. After tens of hundreds of rejections personally and indirectly for being BIG and BLACK--I find myself comfortably positioned to create my own narrative of who I see in the mirror on the day to day. Hitting the gym 4 to 8 times a week has finally become a norm. Checking myself out in the mirror has become a new Love. And embracing this experience as part of my new normal makes me feel all ooey and gooey inside. I don't always like every aspect of who I am--but I dayum sure Love the Man I have become. I am not all shredded nor is that my goal. However, I am stronger and better for remaining committed to a more active lifestyle. In 2008, I was beyond 300lbs. I had traveled over 20 states, 3 countries, and served as a speaker and/or workshop presenter/facilitator at almost 50 conferences/summits while personally engaging with almost 5,000 people. In 2018, I am teetering at about 240. It is my second time chasing the 220s and it feels good. Passport stamps for 10 countries, 4 continents, and 30+ states ignite my curiosity for more. I have presented or spoken to approximately 50,000 or more people over the last 25 years and there's more to go. This blog is really more about me. I wrote this entry for me to remind me down the line that I am a Man of Value and Valor. My value does not lie within the confines of the scale. It is defined by how I scale my actions to what I am designed to do and who I am designed to be. Whatever you decide with this journey, keep these nuggets in mind:
Hopefully this helps at least one more soul. For what it's worth--my new-ish body is looking kinda DOPE these days.... EnJOY! |
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Author@craigcmartin12 #PrincipalofDOPE #FromTurnaroundtoTurnUP #LEADLap #edchat #EduColor Archives
October 2021
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