A conversation with Dr. Keshia L. Gaines,
Author of "Why Are Students Not Learning on the School Bus?"
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Featured Author: Dr. Keshia L. Gaines
"Why are Students Not Learning on the School Bus?" |
NEWS REPORTER: Dr. Gaines, why did you feel you had to write this book?
DR. GAINES: I wrote this book to express my ideas and new learning methods for students of various age groups. There is a need for alternative teaching and learning methods for the schools of today. Students are not meeting academic expectations in the classroom, so I decided to create some unique, out-of-the-classroom, methods for students to learn. This includes learning on the school bus, cafeteria, playgrounds, bathrooms, academic clothing, etc.
NEWS REPORTER: Where do you get your ideas?
DR. GAINES: Most of my ideas come from my experience with teaching various age groups in several different school districts. After being in the field of education and traveling to schools across America, I realized that students were learning mostly inside the classroom. I began creating unique methods for students to learn such as on the side of the classroom garbage can. Then, I expanded my Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop Learning Method to include many areas outside the classroom.
NEWS REPORTER: Did you ever experience writer’s block? How did you overcome it?
DR. GAINES: Well, yes and no. Often times I cannot just sit down and write information just for the sake of writing and meeting a deadline. I find it more productive to write down ideas and learning methods as I create them. This method allows me to have more genuine content than something that is written without a clear purpose.
NEWS REPORTER: What advice would you give to aspiring authors on the writing and publishing process?
DR. GAINES: I would encourage upcoming authors to be consistent with writing content to include in their books. They should get feedback from other authors and professionals. A calendar, goal sheet, writing utensil, and small notebook are all it takes to be successful. The rest depends on the individual’s talent and dedication. If someone writes a page a day, then they will have a 365 page book at the end of the year! As far as publishing is concerned, try to get “picked up” by a publishing company that will format and market your book to a worldwide audience in eBook and paperback versions.
NEWS REPORTER: How do you market your book? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
DR. GAINES: Well, my publishing company markets my book online and through bookstores. Also, I advertise my book, clothing line, and other products through Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop, LLC (
www.busstop2busstop.com), my company’s website. The best way to market your book is to travel and meet your fans in person. I have been to Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, St. Louis, etc. and have found that potential book buyers prefer to meet the author at an in-person autograph signing.
NEWS REPORTER: If your book was made into a movie, how would the story-line go?
DR. GAINES: I would love to collaborate with actor and producer Tyler Perry to write a script about his character, Madea, working at a high school as a substitute teacher (“Madea: #1 Substitute Teacher”). In the movie, I would play the young, successful school teacher who works in an unruly, low performing high school. When Madea, Tyler Perry’s character, starts substitute teaching, she restores order and cleans up the school. To make a long story short, Madea and my character implement the “learning on the school bus” and Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop learning method to increase the school’s test scores.
NEWS REPORTER: What is your goal for the future? What new products and events can your current fans look forward to for next year?
DR. GAINES: I plan to release a new book soon. It will most likely be a spin-off of my current book “Why are Students Not Learning on the School Bus?” Also, I have partnered with international clothing manufacturer, Zazzle Apparel, to announce the launch of my Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop Social Clothing Line (
www.zazzle.com/busstop2busstop). This new clothing line is a unique sportswear/casual collection based off of my educational philosophy and inspired by my signature style. The clothing line features shirts, hats, tote bags, necklaces, jackets, and more with academic content and designs on them. Most of the designs feature the 1-12 multiplication facts and have a positive social meaning behind the particular math fact.
NEWS REPORTER: Dr. Gaines, we thank you for the interview and wish you much success with your company, book, and new clothing line.
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"So…Why Are Students NOT Learning On The School Bus?
According to Dr. Keshia L. Gaines, students should learn from academic content on the school bus and other unique learning areas (the bus stop, cafeteria, playgrounds, bathrooms, academic clothing, etc.). The key to improving America’s educational system, Gaines believes, is to allow students to learn outside the classroom. Since students are not meeting academic expectations in the general classroom, it is important to consider all methods and areas for students to learn.
Dr. Gaines founded Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop, LLC and created the Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop™ learning method to help students increase academic achievement in fun, innovative ways. Th e idea behind the Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop™ learning method is that students will be exposed to academic content starting at the school bus stop. Students will continue to be exposed to academic content throughout their school hours until they get dropped off at that same bus stop at the end of the school day.
This book is designed for use in various education courses, educational leadership positions, and for general reading by anyone who is worried about the future of our children and educational systems. For entry-level students in education, this book provides insight and new ways to improve academic achievement in America. This book is also appropriate for various upper-level courses because of its research components, references, discussion questions, and journal activities . The purpose of this book is to explain the Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop™ learning method and to ultimately improve the current educational system in America. "
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About the Author
Keshia L. Gaines, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized author, educator, and inventor in the areas of education and non-traditional learning methods. Dr. Gaines has been active in public education for over 10 years. As a young educator, Gaines works hard to create innovative methods for increasing student achievement. Dr. Gaines is the founder of Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop, LLC, a company that specializes in educational books, products, clothing, and services.
The academic background of Dr. Gaines includes a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in English from The University of Southern Mississippi, a Masters in Education (M.Ed.) from William Carey College, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership from The University of Southern Mississippi. Gaines has worked with elementary and middle school students in several school districts in Mississippi. Her experience includes teaching both general education and special education students. Currently, she holds a MS Educator License with endorsements in Art, Elementary Education, English, Special Education, Library Media Specialist, and School Administration.
Dr. Gaines is a native of Mississippi. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband Kevin Gaines, a successful business manager, and close family and friends. For further information on Bus-stop 2 Bus-stop, LLC or to contact Dr. Gaines e-mail her at keshgaines@yahoo.com.
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FOR MORE INFO
Website: http://www.busstop2busstop.com/
Author’s E-mail Address: keshgaines@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningOnTheSchoolBus?ref=hl
YouTube Video 1-TV Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-6a8Q82Kpc
YouTube Video 2- News Flash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGBhZVJsVQ4
YouTube Video 3- Book Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU3kIt7MXfg
Link to Clothing Line: http://www.zazzle.com/busstop2busstop
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BUY THE BOOK
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/Z9gaaW
BARNES & NOBLE: http://bit.ly/18tbMWU
