RENAY INTISAR JIHAD

Renay Intisar Jihad (B.A., M.Ed., C.A.G.S.) was born in New Haven, Connecticut, where exposure to the arts was as natural as breathing. Serving as a literacy coach for eight of the thirty years in teaching allowed her to support new teachers, write curricula, and share resources. Two short-run publications catered to the needs of her struggling readers. (Book titles: Scarves and Bandanas and The Day Joseph Found His Pride—about learning how to read well).

Renay is the recipient of the Global Educator of the Year and a Teaching Tolerance Award. After she earned her National Board Certification, the National Alliance of Black School Educators (N.A.B.S.E.) recognized her as one of twenty N.B.C.T. in that year. A Fulbright-Hays scholarship enabled her to travel to Kenya and Tanzania. Other education-related travel opportunities to China, Egypt, Morocco, the Caribbean, and Thailand helped enhance her teaching and writing curriculum.

A Michael Jordan Fundamentals grant enabled Mrs. Jihad to produce a book of children’s poems entitled The Many Faces of Poetry. Her sixth-grade students authored original poems, art, and short stories inspired by firsthand experiences. To honor the unique gifts of her students, Jihad penned The Many Faces of Love. In the book, each of her one-hundred and ten students’ talents and skills were highlighted. Now she contributes to the AF-Am P.O.V. (African American Point of View) and the Muslim Journal. Online venues include websites such as PoetryVibe.com and Medium.com. Social media presence: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

Renay launches a free eBook promo yearly for the Juneteenth celebration to give back to her community. She said, “I needed to get this book into the hands of countless readers. Our social and political climate requires us to do our part. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to share information about Black history.”

In the book, a teenage boy named Mini T. Solja (an acronym using the first letter of her grandchildren’s first names) learns a valuable lesson about his rich heritage. MINI SOLJA STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS is a lyrical coming-of-age conversation. This poetic snapshot highlights Black Americans’ stellar history and pays homage to our past struggles and triumphs. Additional resources include a list of famous Black Americans and a Directory of Black museums.

Teaching is a challenging and rewarding profession. Educators enter the occupation to make a positive impact on the students they teach. These well-crafted poems describe why love is a powerful incentive. Nod, laugh, cry, and share the familiar teaching experiences chronicled in this brief, but potent, collection of anecdotal poems. New teachers enjoy the call to embrace a holistic style of schooling. Experienced educators find these poems entertaining, enlightening, and rejuvenating. Each poem’s rhythmic cadence reveals a candid observation of the modern-day classroom. The author conveys a keen sense of experience through stark imagery and refreshing views. This book is a valuable resource for every teacher. The Teaching Mantra and Reflection exercises are gifts.

Visit https://www.renayspace.com for more information. Join the website and submit a request to get free English language arts or reading curriculum materials for middle-school students. Shipping and handling costs apply.