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About Me

I am a high school teacher and widowed mother of three, living in the Bay Area of California. Twelve years ago I was hugely distressed by an overwhelming apathy and lack of passion for life and learning in most of my students. I began a dialogue about life, hopes and dreams combined with the realities of living in the modern world. This evolved into life passion of mine and a project workbook for teenagers called Get Real! a reality project for teenagers. I believe most parents are terrified about what their childrens' futures will look like. I believe America has lost its focus on excellence and success through hard work and education. I worked for years, while teaching fulltime, to build this project, get it published and now hope to get it out to as many teens as possible. I am now creating a more global version so teens all over the world can benefit from having a structured opportunity to discover themselves and the power of knowledge to build their own best lives!

Location:
United States, Martinez, CA
Gender:
Prefer not to say
I am:
Change Agent, Educator/Teacher, Parent, Social entrepreneur
My website links:
www.getreallearning.com
Member Picture

More About Me

I'm passionate about

I live to improve the lives of teenagers, the most invisible group in the world.

An idea worth spreading

Get Real! learning...a project of self-discovery and life planning.

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +0.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • +1

    A reply on Talk: Ken Robinson: How to escape education's death valley

    6 days ago: Romee...it is sooooooooo not too late. You have started to take the reigns of your life! Creativity is even more powerful when a brain has the information and learning needed to put it to use. Start looking at ways to empower yourself to learn more and better. I teach a class in a high school about self discover and life planning just for kids like you. It is only to late for YOU if you decide it is. Learn what school offers but begin focusing on building yourself.
    http://www.buildareallife.com
    Here's a link to a website I created for kids like you who want to build great futures but the standard school program is not enough.
  • +1

    A comment on Talk: Geoffrey Canada: Our failing schools. Enough is enough!

    6 days ago: I am just as angry as Mr. Canada...As a high school teacher who's been harrassed and stiffled for being innovative, I struggle to keep the hope for any real change. I created a very successful class and curriculum to help teens to learn about themselves and what education really means, discover more about the REAL world and their hopes and dreams, give them tools to change their outlook and overcome obstacles all with the ultimate goal of spark desire for their futures while learning about their options after high school. Fail rates are down, test scores are up but my school/district refuses to support it, make sure all students have access or even buy books for the class.
    WHY? because I, a lowly teacher/widowed mother of 3, who feared not being able to help her own teens navagate their way to successful lives in this complex world, had the nerve to begin researching and developing a book so I would have something to help my children and then brought it to my classroom with great enthusiam from students.
    I was accused of only doing it all just to make money and teachers aren't supposed to do that!! I started a scholarship at my school with nearly all the profit I make on book sales while also helping my own children finance their college educations.
    I know I am not the only teacher out here who is creating innovative solutions to the apathy and disconnected youth...The problem is no one out there with any power, pull or influence can see or hear us.
    We are in classrooms with doors shut alone with students and the world is "too busy" to care.
    www.getreallearning.com

  • A reply on Talk: Geoffrey Canada: Our failing schools. Enough is enough!

    6 days ago: You are 100% correct. It all starts at home!!
  • +1

    A comment on Conversation: Who do I contact about joining the learning and education revolution?

    Apr 6 2011: When you find an organization that is formed and ready to plug in hard-working, frustrated teachers, let me know.
    I have answers to share www.getreallearning.com and know many teachers do also. The world is just so big and
    the challenge of changing education the biggest challenge we must face or we (America) are doomed to slide down into a pretty ugly pit.We have to get involved because as much as many want to blame teachers, we are the only ones in the trenches that have real answers.
    My work with my students and some other schools that are trying is is about the only thingI know I can influence.
    Get Real! a journey of self-discovery and life planning for teenagers...
    would love to know what you think.
    www.getreallearning.com

  • A reply on Talk: Ken Robinson: Changing education paradigms

    Jan 13 2011: There are things out there that CAN be done...to supliment what schools are able to do. As a teacher, I know we HAVE to help each child find their own skills/talents to help motivate them to WANT to learn. Valuing knowledge and the power of our minds has been lost in America. We value THINGS and money now and our kids do not see how it will benefit them to even engage in our system.
    I am a solider IN the system....a contributor with answers but it there is a huge echo out into the black hole of the world. I have answers for teenagers...that are working but how do I get to the masses? www.getreallearning.com a project for teenagers to journey into themselves, learn about the realities of life they are headed out into and then plan their future lives. I have ONE answer to the complex evolution that our system is going to have to go through. Most people, just talk and talk and talk but in the meantime, kids are dropping out and undervaluing their education by the million.

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