The Importance of Literacy

The importance of literacy can't be stressed enough. On my lunch break for four years, I visited my mentee at the Adolescent Parenting Program. She complained about her relationship with her father and how he had no idea how she felt as a…
life skills taught to middle school students using the S.O. What! Literacy, Life Skills, and Character Education curriculum
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So What are Life Skills and Why are They Important?

When I set out to write my memoir, my purpose was simply to help teen mothers with their lives. I wanted to share life skills to help them be successful in spite of being teen parents. Then many other people started reading it, and I realized…
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Improve Literacy with ELA Higher Learning Standards (Even if You Hate Them)

I was shocked by the immediate interest of students in reading my first book, Life After Birth: A Memoir of Survival and Success as a Teenage Mother. Then I learned teachers were actually using it to help students improve literacy. First,…

SO What is Literacy?

What is Literacy After publishing my first book, Life After Birth- A Memoir of Survival and Success a Teenage Mother, I was amazed by how many students and educators were reading my story. A 5th grade guidance counselor told me that her students…
Summer Owens holding first copy of her memoir

Sharing My Life Story Changed My Entire Life

Okay, I can admit it. I cried. If you're a parent, do you remember the first time you held your child? You'd waited months for that moment to see and hold that "thing" that had just been an idea or how it would actually look and feel…
midde-school-students

Reading and Real Life- The Journey to the Literacy, Life Skills, and Character Education Curriculum

When I published my first book, Life After Birth- A Memoir of Survival and Success as a Teenage Mother I had no idea the impact it would have on students and adults. I was just telling my story. And I had no idea that people all over the world…
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When Silence Doesn’t Make Sense

When I was asked to issue an official statement on the racial injustices many African Americans are currently facing and have for too long, I was ready. I didn't know what I would say and could barely verbalize how hurt. And even afraid I felt,…
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7 Tips for Surviving 7 Years as an Entrepreneur

This morning when I woke up I followed my new normal routine. I drank a 32-ounce bottle of water with my favorite energy powder added, put on workout clothes, and headed out the door for a 3-mile walk/run. That's what gives me the energy…
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Chapter 41- My COVID-19 Birthday

Because of the meaning of my birthday (much more than me being born), I always try to do something significant on my birthday. And write about it. Like for all the people who canceled birthday plans- and wedding plans, graduation plans,…