Leslie Armstrong

This Is What I Believe

May 30, 2015

The last day of the summer of Urban STEM was the first day I began to speak with a new message and
believe that I am Leslie Armstrong. I had become more than just the 19 years of service as an educator.
Confidently I can now represent the title of STEM coach at Laura S. Ward. An integral part of this
difference of thought and habits was fuelled by reading three books: Rocking the Boat by Debra
Meyerson and Seven Characteristics of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey and Rhythm of Math
by Crosspulse Media. Artifacts of my Urban STEM transformation can be found at CHIWEST11.com and
my Twitter handle is CHIWEST11@twitter.com.
Where am I now?

Where am I headed?

What will I do?

I am at the end of the road, but standing at the initial point of reconstruction of a demolished highway.
Highways are composed of layers and are laid out in stages. Careful planning and forethought is needed in
the undertaking of joining arties and capillaries that connect to the heart of our country. This heart is
represented by our children; the 21 st century acolytes that must be ultimately prepared to sing a song of
innovation. Spiraling back to the point at which I stand, the Wipro Urban STEM experience has been an
architect of change. The process represents layers of mandated self-reliance, the compulsory push to
collaborate, the obligation to infuse self, the requirement of persistent reflection and finally required focused
revision. These layers make up what I am now and what I temperedly express to anyone I encounter
professionally and personally. The building of highways enabled freedom of movement and the ability to
explore. I too share in this freedom to utilize tempered radicalism to cause metered and abrupt change.
Syntactical STEMulation is the mind-altering set of procedures that I have begun to institute modular
transformation in self and teaching pedagogy. Independent exploration of the tools of technology, precise
surveying to identify windows of opportunity, building collaborative networks and intensive preparation
before action are the surgical instruments of this process.
The following quote exemplifies and summarizes my experience as a participant in the WIPRO Urban
STEM Experience: The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we
change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed.
And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw
yourself. C. JoyBell C.
This is what I believe?