Kwaisi: Birmingham tutor

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The purpose of education is to prepare future citizens of the state to be informed, engaged and aware of how our society functions so they can reinforce its strengths and challenge its weaknesses.

I have a special responsibility as a U.S. History and Economics teacher at the St. Frances Academy as we are the oldest historically black educational institution in the western hemisphere. It is especially important that our students in particular are armed with the knowledge and a visual example of what it takes to graduate from college, gain meaningful employment, and/or endeavor in entrepreneurship.

I believe students learn best by repetition in being challenged with the subject matter and their assignments while relating both to the real world. I have designed my own college level curriculum with a mini-lecture that I recorded myself at the beginning of each lesson, and a video from another academic source related to the subject matter at the end. In class, I lecture using the socratic method allowing those who struggle in that format to ask questions or read passages to stay engaged in the class. I believe important concepts are strengthened if they come from not only myself as the teacher, but from another academic source outside of the building. Most importantly, they need to hear them come from themselves and their fellow classmates.

Whether Economics, U.S. History, World History, Geography, or test prep my goals remain the same. In order:
Preparation for college and the professional world
Establishing a plan of attack for complex subject matter (outlines, timelines, outside sources.)
Time management (all assignments are posted one week ahead of time)
Technological Expertise (proper essay format and citing, online submission)
Punctuality (no latework is accepted)
Overcoming difficult challenges using the resources you have (office hours, academic support, study groups)
Develop engaged citizenry
Force critical thinking
Introduce different problem solving techniques
Nurture self-directed learning
Seeing individual fulfillment at the discovery of content mastery and generation of new knowledge




In my opinion, the most effective method for teaching is trial and error. Unfortunately, due to the failure of many of the elementary and middle schools my students are coming from, many students are "A/B Honor Roll" whom have developed poor habits that will be conducive to academic failure at the next level. It's important to let them try it their way or "the way that has always worked" so they understand the level they need to rise too for success in college.

I know this because my graduates come back and tell me how happy they were that at least they had me to prepare them. I also have my A students talk to my next year's class and they reveal what they get out of the class. "You don't know until you go through it!" is a phrase I often hear them tell the next year's students that I take great pride in.

The most important aspects of my teaching are organization, consistency, and availability. My class is completely planned out for the year and online, and all rules are contained in the syllabus. The structure of the class along with assignments due and types of assignments is clear and there really is no deviation. I have multiple office hours throughout the week.