it's the first post here. I dont think i need to introduce myself... because if you're here, then you prolly know me. if not, you'll learn to know me thru my writing (hopefully). I'm not writing this to make people like me more (because half of this will make you like me less) but because writing clears my mind. Before you can be honest with others, you must be honest within. and that's where writing comes in handy. You write it, you step away, and you come back to it later. There will be times where i'll seem like a big softy, but then there will be times where i'll seem like a complete asshole. it balances out. or i'd like to think so. it shifts, the older i get. Anyways... for today :

Focus: Occupational Joy.

As a 23 year old college grad... things have been difficult (as it's been for everyone, i'm not oblivious)... so put the economy + the fact that most college grads lack experience = shit. It's a tad bit different in my world. This year was posta be grad school. I "had" everything lined up for Hampton to pay for my grad school, and got a job with nasa contingent on me being a grad student... needless to say all that fell thru... but i'm still in hampton (even though i'm not in school).. Being in a place where you don't want to be, and have no purpose really humbles you.. and keeps you up late nights trying to figure out what's going on. I don't know about a lot of people, but complacency isn't something i partake of often. So i guess this post is just about how real it is... nonetheless.. I was blessed to get a job working at the school and actually teaching freshman comp... in some odd, ass backwards, kinda way. (notice that i was posta be in grad school, now i'm grading freshie's papers) Whatever. Initially, i was ecstatic that i was in a position to just jump into my role as an educator (if you know me, you know i'm adamant about educating people ESPECIALLY young black men.. that's another topic) but more and more, every day, learning the nuances that occur.... i've fallen out of the educational bliss i once was in. It's already one thing that we dont get paid... That's not even the issue i'm gonna hit... but it's a damn shame when you can't get the reinforcement you want/need in the workplace. It's one thing to not be financially compensated, we know that going into the industry... BUT to be under-appreciated is something that hearing the phrase "overworked,underpaid and underappreciated" doest even START to prep you for it. I dont have the tools i want to teach HOW i want to teach. I can't go out and purchase them because i lack money. see how it works ? can't get paid, so i can't make advances. What did Blackstreet say ? You've got to pay to play. Did you watch the state of education on msnbc, or for that matter, black in america? how come those things never sit down and talk to the people it's influcing NOW. it's always someone older trying to implement their idea of what works. and i'm not mad at them for makin moves (because deep down inside, i believe that there are waaaayyyy tooooo many sorry ass people that are the face of our generation .. another topic) but i'll be damned if there aint anyone .. ANYONE who can give another viewpoint. I know 20 people off rip who are more intelligent, articulate, aware than i am. how come they aren't asked? Sheep. Sheep i tell you. the real people who can promote progress always seem to be forced into the role of the outcast. Why ? because the people who are the "movers and shakers", those who are in control of everything... lead you to believe that those people with new ideas are actually the enemy. it's the whole big propaganda theory. Moving on..
So it's just funny how professors now (the older established ones.. ones you would say KNOW what they are doing) have a specific way that they teach... which works, because they're on their way out (and they still don't know how to use a computer.) i'm not mad at them. they know what they know, and they teach the shit outta it. But in a world where everything is now tech oriented, don't you think there needs to be some sort of generic crash course in implementing technology into classes, so not only do you learn the subject, but there's a creative, articulate way to merge your sit in front of the computer, text messaging, webcam using, tweetin life with your academic life. I guess that's why i'm here. Hi I'm Brandon Woods. I'm supposed to be the connection between the I.T. world and the Educational world. I'm supposed to apply myself in a manner that can save the world. apparently i'm bright enough and captivating enough to do it. Fuck that. I got a sister to take care of. How the hell you want me to save the world and you aren't even concerned about my well being ? So at this point, i'm going to be done with education. right after i give these midterms to these kids. This post really was boring. I know it was, but i was staring at these papers and i just went this way. stick it out yall.