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Tampa Native Uses Unique Method Of Teaching Children
Tampa's 27-year-old Derrick Grace is a father, mentor, home school in- structor, and author of Ama- zon's #1-selling New Release, "Gods Amongst Men: 365 Routes to Supreme Being."
He began his mission 4 years ago because of what he calls, "The Shift." After com- plications with his job left him unable to apply for work while he was in the process of being laid off, he realized he had no power or control over his situation.
"They had me wait a whole 3 months just to bring me in and go, ‘Alright, you're fired.’ ...When they fired me, I just had the epiphany that these people had the power to rock my whole livelihood because I allowed them that power.
“And from that point on, I promised myself that I would never, ever, ever have to answer to anybody else about an opportunity."
He was introduced to a
DERRICK GRACE
ior-wise he didn't really fit that system," Grace says.
That and his wanting to micro-manage aspects of his son's education led him to begin his homeschooling programs. "It allowed me to really be hands-on and see everything that they're trying to give him and also allow me to instill my own curricu- lum.
“There are downsides in home school curriculum, though. "I tell people to step back and look at all of their friends who were social but- terflies, have any of them [gone] on to be successful talk show hosts or successful analysts? A lot of people worry about their social life, but they can have friends, or at home, or the neighbor- hood, or cousins... I'm a big kid at heart," he laughs.
"They hang with me more than anything. I'm one of those annoying dads and I like to do stuff to get on their nerves. It can be a downside if a kid lives in a city or state where they don't have a lot of kids or family. It can be a downside."
Derrick crafted a theol- ogy based around Unlearn- ing and Relearning believing so many of us have been con- ditioned to follow traditions without really understanding why we're following them. The true process of learning comes from unlearning these methods and relearning principles from a different perspective.
Derrick recalls, "I cre- ated that movement going on 3 years. I tell people all the
time now more than ever we're ready for individual, unbiased, substance-based perspective on everything. We go around with regurgi- tated information. I was one of those guys, I have no idea whyIdidwhatIdid.Iwas taught by grandma, this is what you do, never a why."
Especially with a growing dependence on technology and social media, people are creating habits and thinking patterns that may not facili- tate intellectual growth. Derrick believes parents need to be more aggressive in guiding and fostering their children's education. When he was fifteen his mother re- minded him that in three years he would be an adult and had to start getting seri- ous. "I think that's one of the things we have to unlearn," he says.
"We need to be engaging our children when they're four or five and building them up to what they want to be. By 12, we'll have a lot more well versed, ready for the world individuals." He believes the celebration of standout students who grad- uate early doesn't need to be a rare occasion when cur- riculum and positive atten- tion is based on learning.
Derrick Grace began touring, teaching his meth- ods when one of his books reached #1 in 2 days on Amazon.
He can be contacted via social media using the han- dle, @DerrickGraceTwo
Article Written by ESSINCE
few videos through his cousin by motivational speaker, Eric Thomas, and Will Smith that altered his perception.
"That night I took my last $369, got a trademark and just never looked back... And we're at almost five years
later."
"My son is one of those
kids who, if you don't men- tally challenge him you'll lose him. Don't get me wrong he gets great grades, but his mind will wander if you're not locking him in men- tally... I realized that behav-
University Area CDC Invites Public To Free Thirsty For Knowledge Event
The University Area CDC, 14013 N. 22nd St. (33613), invites those who have a passion for helping others to come to its up- coming Thirsty for Knowledge event on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 4:30-6 p. m.
For anyone interested in learning how they can support the University Area CDC’s efforts to improve the community, the event will feature a tour of the community center campus, and an opportunity to hear about their current programs and ini- tiatives for area residents and families. Cocktails and appetizers will be served.
Additionally, details of the Brick By Brick fundraising cam- paign will be revealed.
The University Area CDC offers support for thousands of Tampa residents through youth programs, adult education and resource assistance. Its primary mission is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding University of South Florida's Tampa campus.
For more information about University Area CDC, a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership, visit www.uacdc.org or call 813.558.5212.
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