In the Black with Yolanda White

“So…has the hubbub died down,” my mother, who now resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., asked me yesterday over the phone. I paused and let the air inside my brain seep out, because I had to “recall” what particular hubbub she spake of!  Even she, residing in the depths of a hellish desert, which reached 111 degrees as of late, has been deluged with the debate (some people really seem to get virtual erections from political and social dissent and disharmony) between Wisconsin’s Democrats and Republicans. “It’s over,” I comforted her, though inside of me, I know that over – it is…

Back in the day, 1993, I was looking for a church to join and one that would allow my fiancé and I to be married as well.  I looked high and low, when my UWM professor of Communications, turned friend, Barry Brummett.  Incidentally, this professor became a friend, primarily because during his posted office hours, he was actually posted – right there in his office.  Barry first warmed me with his quick wit, when I chided, “I like you, even though you gave me a D.” Without a pause, he retorted, “I like you, even though you earned a D.” Instantly, I…

I am off kilter these days, more than usual.   Perhaps you feel similar, or maybe not, but, on my mind lately is, the past.  They used to teach, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”  What happened?  They used to say, “Be careful, children are present.”  Why don’t we seem to care about children anymore? No funding (investment) in Bookmobiles, no RIF (Reading is Fundamental), no cartoons, like Captain Kangaroo (with Mr. Green Jeans and M.T. Promises).  And oh, what about learning about the constitution, from the “I’m Just A Bill,” song…  Whew.  We…

I remember the first aerobics class I taught, nearly seven years ago. A bouncy little “skinny” came bounding into the Northside YMCA, where I used to teach. She sang, directly to me, “where’s the teacher.” I flatted back, “Here I am.” She looked as if she saw a ghost, a big sturdy curvy and fit ghost! There was almost a bit of disgust in her face. But I peeped that quickly and assured her, that I was up for the task and fit to lead her through this 30 minute workout. I did. In fact, she bounced out after about 20…

Then…So I tried. But I could not find any pictures decent enough, of my bull ride, to share.  But believe me, t’was a hoot!   Now…Inadvertently, I left off a couple of my  “Only in Milwaukee activities,” from my Urban Cowgirl blog post.  I beg your collective pardons.  First,  it’s worth mentioning, I’ve lived in Milwaukee since 1974 via Kingston New York.  I’m completely aware of the fact that the city is woefully segregated.  Despite that fact, I tarry on, doing “white people things.” When I first began Bikram Yoga, I was the only black (never been to Africa) woman in…

I suppose it is important for someone like me, a 41 year old community blogger/Principal/Promotions Assistant type, to review the year since I turned forty. If you know me, you know, I am focused on money. Mostly, acquiring wealth, so someone can help me manage it. Not so much wealth that it doesn’t matter how much I have, but just enough wealth so that I don’t have to shop at the Dollar General for unexpected birthday presents or the slavery inherent in those “Secret Santa” soirées. Why can’t I go to Broadway Paper? Oh, ah…yes, there’s no Broadway Paper in…

To postulate or predict the future seems a carnal waste, when so many young people’s lives are at stake…daily.  It isn’t about me, not about us.  It is about the student.  Funny, some students are rarely asked what they want, feel, think, or need; but that’s for another blog. Perhaps its high time I hone in on my fledgling philosophy of instructional leadership, which one expert defines as “actions that a principal takes, or delegates to others, to promote growth in student learning” (Flath, 1989).  Too many authors, educators, politicians and scholars, still do not and cannot agree as to…

Back when I was in 80s high school, (three different ones in four years) the first day of school for me was rife with haunting worries of alas unrequited threats from last year’s last day of school. “Don’t come to school the last day, I’m going to get you “ I was regularly warned. So, when I was able to “skip,” I did. When not, I found refuge in the Principal’s office or as a teacher’s special helper. I can still smell the mimeo aroma from the mimeograph machine that made purple stained paper copies at Byron Kilbourn Elementary School.…

As a rising junior leader, I see many issues affecting leadership (across a variety of educational organizations).  Firstly, you do not really need a plethora of expensive textbooks (some texts so expensive you can hardly afford to purchase them and they have little to no resale value) to notice the ambiguity with the accepted or “ideal” qualities of a leader.  Secondly, children – students – are rarely part of the processes that inform curriculum development, except with controlled studies, like guinea pigs.  Rarely are they interviewed in age-based focus groups as to how they can inform learning.  This is an…

Never a day did I dream I would be a high school principal.  Of course, I had dreams of being a news anchor, an actress, a doctor, a ballerina (don’t laugh) and even a school teacher, but never the Principal.  Suddenly, it seems, this is on purpose.  As I embark on this journey, I must take a hiatus (I always wanted to say that) from blogging.  I have much to say about the experiences of these last few absent months.  Stay tuned…