dramadiscoveryandlearning.com Blog

W.E.B. DuBois, founder NAACP

Administrator — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:17:06 +0000

W.E.B. DuBois said, “Work must be inspired by the right ideals, and education must not simply teach work, but life based on these ideals.” Black History Month Quotation

Black History Month Quotations

Administrator — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:10:06 +0000

When Barack Obama announced his presidential campaign on February 10, 2007 he said, “Beneath all the differences of race and region, faith and station, we are one people.”

Toomer Nominated to NCTE Board

Administrator — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:08:15 +0000

Jeanette Toomer is nominated to serve on the national board of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as Secondary Representative at Large. Her platform and education history is published on the ncte.org website.

The Power Within

Administrator — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:32:43 +0000

Our weekly quotation in honor of Black History Month is:
“There does not have to be powerlessness. The power is within ourselves.” - Faye Wattleton

West Side Story: a Musical Theater Masterpiece!

Administrator — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:12:18 +0000

By Jeanette Toomer

A timeless classic, West Side Story, is a wonderful musical masterpiece now playing on Broadway at the Palace Theater. Tickets are now 50% off! Don’t miss this fantastic revival.

Justice Rules for Center for Constitutional Rights!

Administrator — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:09:28 +0000

By Jeanette Toomer
Early this week the Center for Constitutional Rights prevailed in its case against the city of New York on behalf of black firefighters who had faced discriminatory hiring practices. Now, if only, the city’s Department of Education would not discriminate against African American women who are teachers and over 40 years of age who seek promotion to assistant principal or principal.
Over the past five years there have been many African American women who have applied for assistant principal positions who have attended interview after interview only to be denied time and time again. Publicly, and in related news reports, New York schools’ Chancellor Klein has advocated hiring younger and less experienced educators for these positions. Meanwhile, other candidates with more experience are ignored. Perhaps the CCR could help these teachers overcome these discriminatory practices in the Department of Education.

Jan. 31, 2010

Frosty says “Happy New Year!”

Administrator — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:52:09 +0000

Frosty on the streets of New York

Courtesy of neighborhood youth here’s Frosty’s wish…

Jeanette Toomer

Invictus: A Winner for All Times

Administrator — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:20:43 +0000

The movie, “Invictus,” is a winner for all times. There is so much to say for Nelson Mandela, a wise man and compassionate leader who unites a country through his vision and the cooperative support of the captain of the nation’s Rugby team. Morgan Freeman is in Oscar winning territory as this noble towering man.

Jeanette Toomer

First Decade of New Century- The Good and the Bad

Administrator — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +0000

The new century began without any computer breakdowns as suspected but included some good and bad history-making events. The best of the good was the inauguration of Barack Obama bringing the end to the eight year rule of selfish and misguided Republicans under President Bush. It was an inspiring run that joined thousands of people across racial and economic lines with the anthem, “Yes, We Can!” The decade ended with a vote to support health care reform legislation by both house of Congress–a long overdue milestone and harbinger of positive change for all Americans.
The bad trend began with the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. This attack spawned a war in Iraq that has outlasted its again “misguided” purpose. This war has caused the deaths of thousands of young men and women. Only now, in December 2009, have we had one month where not one American soldier has died. The financial and real estate markets faced a major collapse and the country descended into a meltdown deemed a “recession” with one-tenth of Americans unemployed and the federal government bailing out major banks and financial institutions. The first decade continued to embrace the talents of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson who died from liver cancer in October 2005 at the age of 60. Other veteran entertainers died much to the dismay of their legions of fans including Paul Newman, James Brown, Barbara Ann Teer, Ossie Davis and Michael Jackson. On the political stage, the lion of the Senate, Edward Kennedy, died last year after a brave fight with brain cancer. Harlem businessman and former Tuskegee airman Percy Sutton died at the age of 89 after decades of service to the Harlem and larger New York community.
– Jeanette Toomer

Highlights of 2009!

Administrator — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:12:21 +0000

It all began with the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States. Everyone in my family traveled to Washington, DC to be a witness to this historic event. I continued to write my memoir as a participant in a writing workshop. That was a great learning and growth experience!
Several months later my brother married his fiancee in a beautiful wedding ceremony in Brooklyn. During July I worked as a trainer and instructional coach for the school district of Philadelphia. I enjoyed returning to my home city to support teachers in public high schools.
“The Wiz” returned to NY in a brief run during the summer, and “Fela” has arrived on Broadway. This Christmas was one for the record books as I hosted this year’s Christmas dinner in my home for 17 relatives and friends. Thank you, God, for a great year!