Arizona Coffea Magazine Issue 17

ARIZONA COFFEA Issue 17

EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WITH WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD ~NELSON MANDELA

THE EFFECTS OF COVID AND EDUCATION IN LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS

Author Kristy Angelee Smith Photographer: Eric Coleman

Arizona Coffea Magazine Arizona Coffea Magazine® Copyright © 2022-2023 Arizona Coffea Magazine Published by Top Wire Editing & Publishing, LLC All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976. (For example, a fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism or review). No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated, or transmitted in any form or by means without written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher above.

Disclaimer: The advice provided in this publication is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regards to your own objections, financial situations, and needs.

If any products are detailed in this publication, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement relating to the products from the manufacturer and consider its contents before making any decision.

Arizona Coffea

®

Changing the narrative of the Black community in the media. www.azcoffea.com

Sharing Our Stories and Positivity Arizona Coffea®

table of

contents: COVID and its Effects on Education The last two years

changed the course of education. (pg. 9) Educators discuss the challenges students, teachers, and leaders faced during the pandemic and how the course of education has changed.

Literacy in the Black Community Why it's more

important now than ever since COVID(pg. 19) Black children have been disproportionately affected by COVID in all aspects of their learning including literacy.

Nov/Dec 2022 Issue #17

Arizona Coffea

www.azcoffea.com info@azcoffea.com

COVID

AND ITS EFFECTS ON EDUCATION

Personal accounts from educators and how COVID has changed education.

Educating During COVID

By NaTyshca Pickett

shares her Principal Lisa Norwood Williams ring COVID. journey of being an educator du

Photographer: Anneka Marie

“There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see. If only we're brave enough to be it.” ~Amanda Gorman Few

could

have

predicted

the

devastating effects COVID-19 would

that COVID was the worst time for education.

have on the education of the world's children

when

Organization

the

World

proclaimed

Health

"Being a principal for 10 years, this

it

[COVID]

a

is

unlike

anything

I've

2020.

experienced. We tell our principal

Lockdowns during the first 12 months

interns that they'll read about this

of the epidemic prevented 1.5 billion

later, but there was nothing for us to

kids from physically attending school

read about. Nothing to prepare us to

in 188 countries, having a long-lasting

lead during a pandemic," Norwood

impact on a generation's education.

Williams stated.

pandemic

on

March

11,

of

According to study done by the Center

Rights,

on Reinventing Public Education, "The

"Nearly all students have experienced

economic and social consequences of

some

the

According

to

the

Education

Office

challenges

Department of

Civil

to

their

mental

pandemic—employment

loss,

the

stress due to sick or dying relatives,

pandemic and many have lost access

the need to assume additional family

to

responsibilities—may

health

and

well-being

school-based

during

services

and

also

have

supports, with early research showing

affected students’ academic progress

disparities based on race, ethnicity,

independent

LGBTQ+ identity, and other factors."

schooling."

Lisa Norwood Williams, principal of

Many schools already struggled prior

Solano Elementary in Phoenix, AZ, saw

to

first hand the effects COVID had on

shed a brighter light as to how grim

her students. As a 23 year veteran in

the situation was.

education, Norwood Williams stated

the

of

pandemic,

disruptions

however,

to

COVID

Norwood

Williams

the

Norwood Williams said. Some of the

middle of transitioning from one

main concerns from COVID were

school

the

many students would be without

pandemic hit. "I switched school

food, or would suffer abuse due to

districts in the middle of Covid. So

being away from school, which for

right

around

many students is a safe haven. "We

February of 2020. I was planning

were working behind the scenes to

with the outgoing principal for an

have busses drop off food at bus

event

the

stops to make sure our students had

community. And then after spring

enough to eat while they were home

break we shut down. So I stayed

from school. We wanted to make sure

connected to the new district, but I

our children were okay," Norwood

was still working in the old district.

Williams stated.

to

the

when

to

was

next

Covid

when

hit,

introduce

in

me

to

And trying to finish out the school year and navigate what do we do.

Once some of the COVID protocols

There were no kids on campus and

were lifted, schools were faced with

we have to navigate how to get

another challenge, transitioning back

them

to into the classroom.

technology,"

Norwood

Williams stated. She also discusses some

of

the

disadvantages

her

students faced during this time.

transition back looked like and we

"Most of our students didn't have internet at home, so we had to come up with creative solutions to make that happen. The school that I was

transitioning

smaller

district

from

was

a

with

limited

resources, and this was one of the most challenging tasks." Not only were

there

challenges

for

the

students, but for the teachers and parents as well. "You had teachers who were not used to teaching with a lot of technology, so that was different. So we did a lot of paper packets, but then you had parents who didn't speak English and we had

to

figure

out

communicate with them,"

how

"We had more meetings on what the

to

had to think about every detail, from how many students we can have in a classroom? If we had the infrastructure

for

students

who

wanted to be online? Will there be enough teachers, since there were many retirements, resignations, and deaths. There was so much to think about and we had no idea where to

that the students who were coming back to us as third graders, their last full year of school was Kindergarten, Our

students

were

two

grades

behind. And many were coming in as third graders and never went to school,

because

in

Arizona,

Kindergarten is not required. These

start," Norwood Williams stated.

students

did

not

know

how

to

Along with those concerns, there

approach had to focus on the social

socialize, so we knew then that our

was the achievement gap, social emotional concerns, and the trauma that everyone experienced due to

emotional wellbeing of our students," Norwood Willams stated.

COVID.

Norwood Williams also expressed,

Test results demonstrate that due

violence and sexual behaviors. So we

"Students were exposed to domestic

to the epidemic and its related disruptions typical

to

education,

the

learned

less

student

academic material.

elementary students

states,

"On

and

middle

tested

in

average, fall

school 2020

performed at lower levels than (i) prior grade-level cohorts, and (ii) predictions based on pre-pandemic growth data. This does not literally mean that students know less than they did before the pandemic but does

imply

behaviors that were normal to them.

Last year was tough because we had to put so much in place to get our students on track."

The Center on Reinventing Public Education

had to help them to unlearn the

slower

than

typical

progress.

"One big reality check for us was

Despite those challenges and the challenges ahead, Norwood Williams believes that she is doing the work that is necessary to help her students achieve success.

"I don't have high expectations. I just extend grace and meet my students and

teachers

where

they

are,"

Norwood Williams said.

To hear the complete interview, you can go to www.azcoffea.com.

EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON ARIZONA EDUCATION

by Crystal Onyema In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic brought insurmountable changes in every aspect of daily life. In an instant, every human being had to change their everyday lifestyles with the hope of slowing down or completely stopping the pandemic. People had to change how they shopped, ate out, worked, and many other daily aspects. It was no different for the educational system. Most districts in the United States ceased classes for months; faculty and

staff had to be swift on how they would

approach

cultivating

a

learning environment virtually. They pondered what resources each child had.

Did they have a computer? And if they had a computer, did they have internet? Were they able to eat correctly? How involved would their already stressed-out parents be?

According to a 2022 study by The Goldwater Institute, the pandemic triggered

a

massive

statewide

enrollment decline of nearly 50,000 students as a result of their COVID mitigation protocols. In addition, standardized testing scores also took a nosedive.

According to AZ Central, some student group scores dropped by as many as 20 percentage points. The teachers were the true heroes, as they had to learn how to navigate and lead during this altered reality.

They had to push aside their fears and reservations to create a safe and nurturing

environment

for

their

students. Kids smell fear, and if they see their teacher afraid, it causes additional emotional turmoil.

One of these unsung heroes was Britnie Valentine, sixth grade English Language Arts/Social Studies teacher and flag football coach at Solano Elementary in Phoenix. She dedicated her blood, sweat, and tears to the livelihood of her students. However, Valentine noticed that she needed to pour even more into her vulnerable students and families during the pandemic.

"I kind of threw everything out the window," Valentine stated regarding her welfare and self-care. "I put everything

on

the

line

for

my

students to ensure that they were

a vast difference in her students' emotional well-

good and that their families were

being. As a result, it became increasingly difficult

good."

for the educator to make the classroom as "normal" as possible.

Valentine traveled to families' houses to check on them, using any available

"These kids were just checked out. At first, they

PPE she could find to protect herself.

were more engaged. But then, one by one, they just

Some of her students' parents were

seemed to stop caring emotionally and physically

just having babies, so she dropped off

and let their health go."

care packages for them. In addition, she collaborated with fellow teachers

Valentine

noticed

students

abandoning

being

to give out gift cards.

present "in class" altogether. "I saw them playing video games, and I would have to get their

When it was time to navigate her classroom virtually, Valentine noticed

attention," she said with a chuckle.

"They would say 'oh shoot,’ but then

challenging for the higher-ups not to

just continue playing their games."

see what we did daily and make decisions blindly."

However, it was no laughing matter when Valentine noticed the profound

Financially, funding in Arizona schools

effects the "new normal" had on her

changed.

classes. She saw some of her students

Goldwater study, Arizona public school

going into a deep depression and

districts and charter schools were

witnessed the impact on behaviors

allocated $4.3 billion in aid. As the

even when they eventually returned to

study stated, this great infusion of

in-person courses. It deeply concerned

funding more than tripled the federal

her to see the changes because of their

footprint in Arizona's K-12 system

altered learning environments.

compared to the $1.4 billion funding in

According

to

the

2022

2019.

Once

classes

resumed

in

person

around March 2021, it felt like an

Each school district had a budget

alternate reality for Valentine and her

committee to determine where the

students. It went from simplifying

funding should go. The planning had to

lessons to keep students engaged to

be broken down meticulously, planning

figuring out how to play catch up.

the funds in varieties of "what if"

Plexiglass went up everywhere, and the

scenarios.

six-foot apart social distancing rule

government

was

school,

environment to assist with technology.

teachers were pulled from their regular

However, certain school districts cut

classrooms to others, and Valentine

funding for teacher payout bonuses to

had to teach additional classes. As a

a lower amount. Still higher-ups did

result, many teachers quit; ironically,

not guarantee that the teachers would

Valentine

even receive it.

mandatory.

worried

At

their

about

her

job

For

example,

funded

the

the hybrid

security as higher-ups had to make decisions about attrition due to the

Like most teachers, Valentine was

decrease in overall student enrollment

disappointed and frustrated.

numbers.

Despite the financial and emotional "I was crossing my fingers that I had a

turmoil that Valentine has endured as

job at times," Valentine stated.

an educator in the past two-and-a-half years,

she

is

more

invested

and

I didn't want to be taken away from

impassioned about her career than

this place. It was my home, and it was

ever.

"One thing I say to my students is that you're not alone, and we are here together. Teachers are just like you, and just because we're adults doesn't mean we don't understand," she reflected.

And as for teachers, she advises the same grace for their students as everyone tries to climb out of the pandemic hole in education in Arizona.

"As teachers, we must have that patience. We must have that love to show them who we are," Valentine stated. "We have our frustrations as educators, but we must push them aside sometimes and put ourselves in their shoes so we can be at our best for what we are called to be."

Literacy in the Black Community Why it's important now than ever since COVID

By Khalilah Muhammad

Systemic racism refers to the institutions and practices that reinforce one another and deny Black Americans access to opportunities and positions of power, hence creating and maintaining inequalities in society. Despite the fact that COVID-19 has a negative impact on families of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, Black families are disproportionately affected.

Despite making up only 13% of the United States' population, Black Americans account for 33% of all COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 34% of all COVID-19-related fatalities, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence rates of infection are three times higher and mortality rates are six times higher in counties where Black people make up a majority of the population than in counties where non-Hispanic Whites represent the majority of the population.

19

The shift to online education during the epidemic has already put Black pupils at a disadvantage due to racial inequities in internet connectivity and computer capability.

Some black parents worry that their children won't have enough money or supplies to succeed in school. In March, researchers found that 25% of Black students communicated with their instructors less frequently than once every week. In addition, there is a disproportionate number of Black parents among key workers who cannot work from home and are, therefore, less able to give the academic supervision and support that is important for online education.

Prior to COVID, Only 15% of Black eighth graders in 2019 were considered to have reading "proficiency," according to the NAEP's The Nation's Report Card. Roughly 50% did not even make the "basic" reading cut. This week, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) published its most recent findings on the literacy skills of graduating seniors. They don't improve matters much. A mere 17% of Black students in the 12th grade are considered "proficient."

Lack of access to books and resources is one key indicator for many children not reading as much as they should. In many homes, the only time children read is in school.

In order to address these setbacks, many are proposing school choice. This is a process where parents can choose the best school for their child, including schools outside of their school district. Others suggests that reading to younger children and incentivizing them to read on their own will help combat this crisis early on and can increase the literacy rates in the Black community as well as encourage their comprehension skills as they grow older.

Beauty from the Top of Her Fro to the Tip of Her Toe

Having Emotional Intelligence Staff Editorial

This October, devote some time to learning about Emotional Intelligence and raising your own awareness of it. Learn new methods of noticing, comprehending, and controlling your emotions, and put them to use in your life.

The capacity to recognize, manage, and assess emotions is referred to as emotional intelligence (EI). While some believe that emotional intelligence is an inborn trait, others believe that it can be learned and increased.

Perceiving Emotions: Accurately perceiving emotions is the first step toward comprehending them. This frequently entails recognizing nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions.

Reasoning with Emotions: The next phase is to utilize feelings in order to stimulate mental work.

Our emotional reactions are influenced by our attentional priorities, and our reactions are prioritized by the things that catch our attention.

Understanding Emotions: The meanings associated with the emotions we experience are extremely varied. The observer must determine the source of the person's anger and what it might signify if they are showing furious emotions.

If your employer, for instance, is acting irate, it could be a sign that they are not pleased with your job, that they received a speeding ticket on the way to work that morning, or that they have been arguing with their partner.

26

Managing Emotions: The highest level of emotional intelligence is having the capacity to successfully handle emotions.

Emotional management includes regulating emotions, acting appropriately when emotions arise, and responding to the emotions of others.

It's important to be emotionally intelligent, but how can you improve your own social and emotional skills?

Here are some tips.

This model's four branches are arranged in order of complexity, with the simpler processes located at the lower levels and the more complex ones located at the higher levels. The lowest levels, for instance, entail feeling and expressing emotions, but higher levels demand more conscious effort and involve controlling emotions.

Empathize - Understanding someone's point of view requires both recognizing their feelings and putting yourself in their shoes.

Listen - To comprehend how others feel, pay attention. Listen to verbal and nonverbal cues.

Reflect - Emotional intelligence involves reasoning with emotions.

COFFEA r i a l F Fashion Blog & Magazine For all things in Black Fashion

Check Out Our Website www.coffeaflair.com

Model: Nafishatu Isha Turay Photographer: Brittany Woods

20 22

o i l o f t r o p e l y t s i a l F a e f f o C n o i h s a F r

~

We had the opportunity to attend New York Fashion Week and there were so many shows to attend. We wanted to share some of the looks that were heating up the runways across the city.

LOOKS FROM NYFW

NYFW STYLE

Coffea recipes Winter 2022 RECIPES FOR A HEALTHY DIET

Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Soup The perfect bowl of comfort food, this vegan sweet potato soup is rich and velvety with a satisfyingly sweet finish.

It's simple to prepare and tasty enough to serve as the main course of a satisfying meal, so there's no reason not to.

HOW TO MAKE

Step 3 Add in the vegetable stock and

Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Soup

coconut cream, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat, cover the pot and leave to simmer until the sweet potatoes are soft and cooked.

Ingredients Step 4 • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil • 1 Medium Onion

Add in the almond butter and stir it in.

• 1 Teaspoon Crushed Garlic • 1 Teaspoon Minced Ginger • 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Step 5

• 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg • 2 Large Carrots Chopped

Blend with an immersion blender or by transferring to your blender jug in

• 2 Large Sweet Potatoes

stages and then returning to the pot.

• 2 Cups Vegetable Stock • 14 Ounces Canned Coconut Cream (unsweetened) • 1/4 Cup Almond Butter • Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Step 6 Add sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 1 Add olive oil to a large pot with

Step 7

chopped onion, crushed garlic and minced ginger and sauté until the onions are slightly softened. Add in the cayenne pepper and nutmeg and sauté.

Step 2 Then add in the chopped carrot and sweet potato and toss with the onions and spices.

Serve with a sprinkle of black pepper and some fresh cilantro.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies These vegan peanut butter cookies are smooth and chewy despite the absence of butter and eggs. The secret of their veganism will remain hidden! Use chunky peanut butter or 14 cup crushed peanuts to give the dough some crunch if you like.

Ingredients • Peanut butter – crunchy or creamy • Sugar – coconut or organic pure cane • Flour – light spelt, all-purpose, gluten free flour blend or chickpea flour • Almond milk • Baking soda • Vanilla • Mineral salt

Instructions Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degree. In a large bowl, cream peanut butter, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in almond milk. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.

Step 2 Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls.

Spread out with a fork and place 2 inches apart on baking pans lined with parchment paper. Put in the oven and wait 8-10 minutes. After 5 minutes, transfer to wire racks to finish cooling.

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TIPS

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Clean out the fridge and pantry on shopping day.

Find a place for every item.

Coordinating the shopping with cleaning is a great idea. You will always have fresh products in your fridge and pantry and you will always have enough storage room for your purchases. This will also reduce overspending on products you already have in your kitchen.

Usually things pile up on counters, tables, chairs or on the floor is because they don’t officially belong anywhere.

Once you solve this issue, putting things away will be easy. Just make sure the designated place for your items isn’t the countertop in the first place. Think about storing items where you use them. Not having to walk to another room to put something away will increase the likelihood of putting it back in its place.

How You Love Yourself is How You Teach Others to Love You

MODEL: L AIL A B PHOTO: ANNEKE MARIE

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BLACK

LOVE

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!