"I am..."

I am... Ashanti Iman Wood. The daughter of a beautiful black woman that raised me in her image, but gave me the ferocious desire to be my own person and make an impact on every life I come in contact with

I am... Phenomenal. My will to do more than what’s asked of me and exceed all limits makes me phenomenal and unforgettable

I am... Intelligent. My mind is elaborate and illustrious. I am more than just an attractive face or a cute little figure. My thoughts are supremely knowledgeable

I am... Superb. Today’s young lady is looked at as average and forgettable. A lot of young people, specifically young blacks (male or female) frequently confine to mediocrity. I am not one of them

I am... Exotic. I take a great deal of pride in who I am and where I come from. There are many African Americans that don’t pay homage to the beginning of our race title: AFRICAN/ Africa!! I do!! I love the fact that there is blood of such powerful ancestors flowing through my body

I am... Memorable. My mission when speaking with someone, whether it’s a prolific conversation or a simple salutation, the other party will remember me or something about me. God gives us all life, a life to live. I spend each day fulfilling his will and my counterparts can oblige me in that fact

I am... African American. To reiterate, I love being a black woman. Deriving from other magnificent African American women and men

I am... Loyal. Loyal is a beautiful definition of my character. Establishing a friendship with me is like an investment in your future. True friends are rare and true friendships are rarer. My love and friendship are organic.  I am honest with myself and my loved ones

I am... Reliable. If I say I am going to do it, before you blink your eye, it’s done. My word is my bond

I am... Priceless. I live not for the Earth or people in it. There is nothing on this planet that can define me or my worth. Materialistic, I m not... priceless, I am

I am... Wise. Being raised predominately by my mother, aunt and grandmother, I was granted with a rare gift. The gift of wisdom runs through my mind and soul every moment of my life. I thank God for my keen sense of wisdom

I am... Sincere. My motives are considerate and heartfelt. Everything I say or do is for the benefit of myself or others that I come in contact with. I don’t live in spite, fear or ill-will, just a pure desire to uplift myself and those around me

I am... Creative. My hands are golden and my mind is a goldmine...with that combination, I can only create treasures. I love to use my creativity when I speak, work and love

I am... Universal. “I am every woman, it’s all in me” I am going to be the best psychologist, the best wife, the best mother, the best friend, simply the best. My versatility and ability to adjust myself to any surrounding as well as make someone from a different background than I comfortable, makes me the universal young woman I am

I am... Independent. I am not defined by the categories society places me in. I am Ashanti. I was born Ashanti and will die Ashanti. I have to know who I am in order to potentially know others. An independent soul is a well and whole soul...I am just that

21st Century Classroom

The 21^st Century classroom will be far different from the current classroom of today, whether elementary, middle, high school or college. The world is advancing fast. The rapid change we experience in society is mind boggling. The children of today know so much. Every child I come in contact with now that mentions their given school assignments to me, leave me in shock. For example, curriculum I struggled with as a child (during my third grade year perhaps), is a daily regiment for today’s first grader and occasionally, kindergarten student.

The year 2011’s methods of learning will seem barbaric. The newest innovations of our time will be called retro. Speaking of which, the youngest of children will commonly have some of the markets leading forms of technology as ideally as a pencil or a three ring binder. I predict that items similar to IPads will be less expensive and less valuable and a suggested article for student of all ages to have in the classroom. Instructors will have to have more knowledge than ever simply because times will be so advanced and children will know everything.

With the economy being as poor as it is, I can almost guarantee that education will not be free for any level of study. It never really has been, but expenses will increase, so will lunch prices. In addition, every school, private or public, will ask for tuition fees of each and every student. This will cause stress and an inability for each child to solely concentrate on their academic criteria. With that being said, I see a radical environment ahead for future classrooms. Many teachers will try to compensate for the shortcomings of society, but it will take many dedicated and enthusiastic educators to do such. Although I see a hostile atmosphere for future pupils, as the old saying says “The show must go on.” Times will be difficult and slightly unpredictable; however, I can say that the classroom of the future will be vibrant and technologically inclined, full of the latest models of computers and gadgets. Children of that era will be brilliant, beyond measure (those that wish to be). They will have the world in the palm of their hands, literally. Technology is all you’ll see in the 21^st Century classroom; almost as cliché as “The Jetsons”. What was once thought to be an elaborately extreme vision of an unrecognizable time will be what one will see in the 21^st Century classroom… at least from my perspective.