I DREAM PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Learning at I Dream >
      • Our Model & Values
      • Our Curriculum
      • Our Graduate Profile
    • Our Team & Partners
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Our Story
    • News >
      • Charter Leaders of Color Matters
      • Dream Loud & Proud
      • "Nothing About Us Without Us" - Our Neighborhood + Community
      • I Dream PCS @ My School DC Ed Fest, December 2019
  • Enrollment
    • Enroll Today!
    • Open House
  • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • Calendar
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    • Surveys: My Dream is I Dream
    • Community Resources
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Dream Loud & Proud

by Janine Gomez

Dreaming is Power: Tameron Colbert

2/18/2021

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The Dreaming is Power series encourages you to pursue your dreams and embrace the challenges of dreaming through the inspiring stories of people who are dreaming big.  You met Fly Zyah in November 2020. Today's post introduces you an extraordinary writer and artist, Tameron Colbert.

Tameron is also Mr. Colbert, PK Co-Coach at I Dream PCS and Urban Teacher resident working to complete his master's degree in Elementary Education. Tameron the I Dream PCS staff a glimpse of his genius when he threw together a poem during orientation that blew us all away. 

In the video below, Tameron shares how he fell in love with writing, what is a lyrical playwright, and his Broadway dream. Listen to his thought-provoking advice about pursuing a dream, for all of you dreamers out there. The I Dream community is keeping our eye on this rising star. Tickets to see his work will sell fast!

Eclipse Of Hearts
Love,
A Horizon compelled between
Two Suns and a Moon
Tread carefully
Because love is yet an eclipse that can
Darken your path towards Enlightenment

Depiction of such a beautiful horizon
That composes a muse of blues, purples, and gentle yellows
To form a song sung for the petals in the sun
I
Have you yet to feel the empathy?
Brighten, to make the perfect day
Seem elegant..
And turn the tide of beauty and essence 
That enriches the love of your life?

Have you ever been stoned into trickery?
That loving the sun and putting it
On your shoulders, could forever
Put an eclipse over your heart

​~Tameron Colbert
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A Power Shift

2/2/2021

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When I dare to be powerful - 
  to use my strength in the service of my vision,
it becomes less and less important
  whether I am afraid. 
         
~audre lorde
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"Happy". Fargo, Season 4, Episode 10. Perf. Edwin Lee Gibson (right), Laurent Crawford (left). FX, 2014. Netflix, Nov. 22, 2020.
REAL POWER is what happens when people connect what they do to who they are."   

~Rick Miller, Forbes Magazine, "What is Power, Really?" 10/25/18
Amanda Gorman has that real power. We witnessed her genius during her recitation of her poem, "The Hill We Climb" during the 2021 Inauguration. Before she became the first Poet Laureate in the U.S., she appeared on the Today Show to share her story of how she stepped into her power. Be inspired.

A Power Shift @ I Dream PCS

Our Graduate Profile describes the 6 ways of being I Dream PCS learners embody when they leave this unique community to enter middle school. To learn more about the I Dream PCS model, visit or browse our website: idreampcs.org. Dream big!
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What's Your Dream, Really?

1/5/2021

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Some people have visions of a dream job. Others are called through their passions to find their purpose. Is your dream a job or a calling? How can you find out?

Do you have a dream job?

Tiera Fletcher's dream job was an aerospace engineer. She became a rocket scientist by age 22. Hear her remarkable story.

Are you called by your passions to dream?

Caine's passions for arcade games, prizes, and building grew into a dream that inspired people from across the country to play. 

Either way, continue to DREAM BIG!

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Hold On. Stay Encouraged.

12/21/2020

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Hold on to what is good,
even if it's a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe,
even if it's a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do,
even if it's a long way from here.

​                          ...


~ First 3 Stanzas of a Pueblo Prayer

2020 has been a year of unimaginable challenges and hidden blessings. Has this year made you want to give up on your dream? What can you do to hold on for 2021? 

     When I'm feeling the urge to give up on my dream, I read the Pueblo prayer above that is posted on my office wall. I came across this poem while struggling through many months of writing the I Dream PCS charter application. I spoke this poem aloud, over and over, when the search for a school building made my hair fall out and drove us to consider waiting another year to open. When I'm feeling overwhelmed with the daunting task at hand, so much so that I want to give up, I go to this poem for strength.

     A Dream Loud & Proud post didn't happen last week because I was in that doubtful place again. The challenges of opening I Dream PCS with a group of humans in the midst of a pandemic had me thinking about walking away to live an easier life. I will be 58 years old next month. Many of my friends and loved ones are retired, with dreams of traveling to far away places to lay in the sun when it is safe to do so. I have the same vision for my retired life. A mango cart ( just to earn pocket change) and a Caribbean beach with the man I love are all I would need. Why am I enduring the headaches of creating a school?

     When I'm in this place of doubt, someone or something always reminds me: This is my calling. Hold on. The Pueblo poem shouted in my face again. I continued to see number patterns - 404, 808, 1212 - when I looked at a clock. A spiritual leader I admire called me to say she has my back. A colleague showed me an inspiring quote that I don't remember saying from a video I am in. I've moved out of that doubtful place and back onto my path by paying attention to the signs and messages given to me.

​     Pay attention to messages and signs. Has someone, out of the blue, sent you words of encouragement? Did you hear a song or see something that you KNOW was a message for you?  Are you seeing number patterns? All are signs you must hold on, that you are living what you are here to be and to do. Listen. 

​Change is coming.


A 90's flashback for ya!

Listening to Sounds of Blackness every day got me through some rough times - divorce, financial woes, death and loss. "Optimistic" was in heavy rotation on my CD player. Remember CDs?

Stay encouraged, beautiful people. I wish you blessings and abundance in 2021. 

YouTube video provided by Universal Music Group.

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Uncovering Brilliance

12/3/2020

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The moment I met Elissa Frazier, I knew we were kindred. Her podcast, Designed to Thrive invites educators, leaders, and community partners to talk about how we are creating schools and spaces where all children are valued, empowered, and successful. Elissa invited me to explain why the dreams of Black and Brown children matter at I Dream PCS, and their dreams can matter in public schools.

"Got a chance to talk with Janine Gomez on DesignedToThrive Podcast about how she and her team at I Dream PCS cultivate the brilliance in Black and Brown children. She is nothing short of amazing." ~ Elissa Frazier
I appreciate you for taking the time to listen to Elissa's podcast. 
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The Save the Lakewood Y Project (2007) began with a group of 4th and 5th graders from Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, NC who decided to organize to save their neighborhood YMCA from closing. It turned into a yearlong movement. Interviews with community members, historical research, fundraising, and attendance at community and political meetings resulted in the Lakewood Y remaining open. Libby Montagne and I cultivated the skills they needed to achieve their dream. These young activists were memorialized in this mural as part of a series to honor Durham's community leaders.  Mural by Brett Cook. 
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Dreaming is Power: Fly Zyah

11/17/2020

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I created Dream Loud & Proud to encourage you to pursue your dreams and embrace the challenges. You've heard pieces of my life story and how I was called to create I Dream PCS. In this new Dreaming is Power series, you will hear the stories of other loud & proud dreamers who are answering the call to live their destinies. Our first loud & proud dreamer is Fly Zyah.
​
Fly Zyah is a young emcee and songwriter whose star is clearly on the rise. She is an activist committed to using her gift of rap to change the world. A few days ago, I talked with Fly Zyah about her gifts and the power of her dreams. Listen as she kicks off our conversation with a few bars from her inspiring song, "Keep Your Head to the Sky", then proceeds to share her wisdom with all of you.

​Photo: Fly Zyah and her sister, Morghan. Morghan is an I Dream PCS learner. 

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Black Violin's song, "Dreamer" sums up who Fly Zyah is, a grounded young woman and a true believer in her dreams. I dedicate this song to Fly Zyah, and to all of you. Keep dreaming!
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Healing Trauma to Clear the Path to Your Calling

11/5/2020

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I'm blessed to live this life. I've been hurt or betrayed by friends, loves, and family, but, for the most part, my life has been free from personal trauma. The impact of white supremacy and being African-American in this country has done the most damage to who I am. In this post, I share two racist events I internalized and what I did to heal from the trauma and clear the path to my full being. Many of you have or are enduring experiences I cannot imagine. May my story inspire you to take action to heal and clear your path to wellbeing. The path to your calling.

​Also, learn how I Dream PCS embeds trauma-sensitive practices into our school culture to create a safe space for learners, families and staff to thrive.
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1st Place Winner, Connecticut State Oratorical Contest, 1976 
​An early trauma that needed healing to clear my path.
Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you

doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.
                                   ~ Lisa Olivera

                            (mentalhealthmatch.com)
READ FULL STORY | CROSS BURNING
Trauma shapes who we are. I heard someone say on one of my binge-watching shows that our traumatic experiences are "the fence posts on which our lives our strung." Those experiences create limiting beliefs, as our brains makes sense of the pain.

I healed the limiting beliefs that block the path to my calling with the help of Erika Totten, Spiritual Life Coach. Erika taught me that pain lives in our bodies, feeding on the limiting beliefs about ourselves and our need to relive the trauma through other experiences. Once we identified the limiting beliefs and the trauma at the roots, she taught me spiritual tools to release the beliefs I was chained to and replace them with awareness of my strength and the ability to step into my power. When you're ready to do this transformative work, seek professional help. You don't need to do it alone.
Connect with Erika Totten
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Wellness is a value, not an afterthought, at I Dream PCS. The anecdote to the affects of trauma is relationships in a safe space. At I Dream PCS, a Zen Zone (see photo) provides a relaxing space for learners to start their day or reset during class time with a caring adult. Coaches and our Support Specialist speak regularly with families to build relationships and ensure basic needs are met. They connect families to resources when appropriate. Our partnership with Connected Psychology offers mental health support for learners and families. Our Wellness Consultant from 11:11 Wellness collaborates with school leaders to incorporate wellness practices into school meetings, professional learning plans, and social outings. At I Dream, well-being in community enables us all to heal, dream, learn and become.

Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation.
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Running From Your Calling

10/20/2020

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A job you can quit,
a dream you can give up on,
​                   but a calling will chase you forever...   
         
​           ~Unknown
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Mural by Eduardo Korba
Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation. ​
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Living Your Purpose: Tata John

10/5/2020

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This post is dedicated to Syr'Riyah, Monica, Savannah, Jordan, Jackie & Lea of GALS NC. Continue to question what you're on this planet to do and to become. You are powerful. Stay inspired. 
If you feel insignificant, you better think again
Better wake up 'cause you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger


Bigger than you
Bigger than we
Bigger than the picture they framed us to see
But now we see it
And it ain't no secret, no

Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul
Look up, don't look down then watch the answers unfold
Life is your birthright
They hid that in the fine print
Take the pen and rewrite it

                                           ~Excerpt from "Bigger" by Beyonce', lyrics by Raye & Stacy Barthe
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Art by BMike @Studio Be, New Orleans, LA.

Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation. 
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A Child's Right to Dream

9/21/2020

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https://www.relicsworld.com/maya-angelou/we-are-all-creative-but-by-the-time-we-are-three-of-author-maya-angelou
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If you read my first post, "Bugs Bunny Dug to China. I Can, Too!", you know that I am a dreamer. The idea of digging through the center of Earth to visit China was possible to my 4-year old brain. To me, anything I dream of is possible. I don't ever think I'm going to fail. I often think about quitting, but never failing. I am powerful when I dream. I know I can do it.

Maya Angelou's quote describes my life in school. I could dream and be creative at the private school I attended in 1st through 3rd grades. I stopped dreaming when my parents transferred me to neighborhood public schools for 4th through 12th grades (except in Mrs. Reason's 6th grade class). By 7th grade, I was like everyone else. I walked in a straight line, sat still at my desk, and repeated what my teachers told me to do and to think. I received good grades, but I was just going through the motions. At times, I honestly didn't care. Many of you had a similar public school experience. And many creative children still know how this feels. Public school in undervalued communities was designed to control black and brown minds and bodies. I'll talk more about that in a future post. I'm determined to redesign school by giving back to children their right to be creative and curious. Their right to dream.

Did you lose your right to dream? 
​Dream Time, customized learning, and social emotional learning are crucial components to the I Dream PCS model because we honor a child's right to dream. Young learners have time each week in Dream Time to decide what they want to learn and how they want to learn about it. We co-create customized learning plans with learners and their families to give learners ownership of their learning and to support their growth. Social emotional learning is just as important as academic learning at I Dream PCS. Learners develop an awareness of who they are as individuals, who they are in the community, and it is here that they discover how to navigate this world to pursue their purpose, their dreams.

Click here to learn more about the I Dream PCS model.
     

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Dream Time spaces for learners to    explore their interests and passions are in every I Dream PCS classroom. 

Floyd Norman was empowered to dream. His love of drawing guided him to pursue his dream of making animated Disney films. Floyd was the first African American animator at Disney Studios. Floyd Norman talks with Steve Harvey about his journey. Remember the Soul Train? Floyd created that!
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    Janine Gomez
    ​Executive Director
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I Dream Public Charter School is a public charter school in Washington, D.C. Our team works hard with our community to create an innovative, exciting learning space.  
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© I Dream Public Charter School 2021
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Learning at I Dream >
      • Our Model & Values
      • Our Curriculum
      • Our Graduate Profile
    • Our Team & Partners
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Our Story
    • News >
      • Charter Leaders of Color Matters
      • Dream Loud & Proud
      • "Nothing About Us Without Us" - Our Neighborhood + Community
      • I Dream PCS @ My School DC Ed Fest, December 2019
  • Enrollment
    • Enroll Today!
    • Open House
  • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • Calendar
    • Before & After Care
    • School Food
    • Kids Ride Free
    • Order a T-shirt
    • Community Group: Dreamkeepers
    • I Dream Policies
  • Get Involved
    • Surveys: My Dream is I Dream
    • Community Resources
    • Dreamkeepers
    • Volunteer
  • Careers
  • Donate