I deal with the “12 Jewels” of life - knowledge, wisdom, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, food, clothing, shelter, love, peace and happiness. When all these things are in tune, growth is beautifully inevitable! So although I am the “teacher,” I am looking forward to learning from The Youth and their families through culturally relevant discussion and methodology of operation, to see how these Jewels (can) apply to their everyday lives. My job is to help heighten the knowledge wisdom and understanding surrounding the “12 Jewels” so enlightenment and knowledge of self become second nature and they can observe the world from a critical lens (which they already do). Also metacognition (thinking about ones thinking) is paramount in the quest to knowing and understanding oneself, and in turn, the world! So - if I do my job correctly, I will be helping to facilitate future leaders of America with knowledge of themselves and the world they come from and live in. Watching the light bulbs go off as they increase their knowledge and expand on experiences they already have or have had and they see how smart they already are through the discussion of the multiple intelligences that exist within us all. So I want them to see HOW they are smart, what they already have in their “funds of knowledge,” and how they use these things everyday to survive in the world (not just in school). What I do is not just for The Youth...these are lessons that can be unpacked and augmented through family connection and building!