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EDUCATION


Information is our most powerful resource, whether we receive it via the printed page, a computer screen, or from a dedicated teacher. In this section, we look at the trends and developments that are expanding STEM education.


Book Review VERNICE ‘FLYGIRL’ ARMOUR ENCOURAGES READERS TO FIND STRENGTH WITHIN


there—and how. In her April 2011 motivational book, “Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step Battle- Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals That Matter” published by Gotham Books, Armour lays down a gauntlet of ideas, chal- lenges and inspirations for those who need that added “umph” to get their lives and careers jumpstarted.


V


Armour seeks to engage those mired in procrastination, dare those unwilling to exploit their fears, and commend those unafraid of confronting their obstacles—all in a handy, easily understandable seven-step approach in which she outlines a formula for self-discipline, focus, execution and, ultimately, success. With humor and energy, Armour tells her story way she knows best—through a backdrop of her own experiences. Her own personal story, indeed, is remarkable: decorated naval aviator, motorcycle police officer, professional women’s football player, inspirational speaker.


Armour fills her book with poignant advice based on what has worked in her life, stirring anecdotes from her adventures in the Iraqi War Theater, and practical strategies for creating and leveraging opportunities. Whether the reader is focused on business, career, family or school, Armour seems to find a tidbit of knowledge to impart for virtu- ally any situation. No matter who you are, Armour prescribes a flight plan, and, she en- courages people not to be afraid to act on it. For instance, Armour’s childhood dream was to become a police officer. She did, becoming the first African-American woman to join the motorcycle squad with the Nash- ville, Tenn., police department, and the first African-American woman officer in Tempe, Ariz. Armour wanted to serve her country as a pilot. She did that, too, becoming an offi-


40 USBE&IT I WINTER 2011


ernice “FlyGirl” Armour believes a “breakthrough” exists in all of us.


The question is getting


cer in the Marine Corps and America’s first African-American woman helicopter combat pilot, completing two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom.


Among other accomplishments, Ar- mour managed to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Middle Tennessee State University. When stationed at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base in California, was named Female Athlete of the Year and Strongest Warrior winner. Armour’s story is one of not being


derailed by life’s impediments. In one of the many personal stories she recounts in her book, Armour describes almost not making it to Nashville to enter the police academy. Living in Columbus, Ohio, and working as a personal trainer, she got word of her academy test date—one day before the test. “It’s six o’clock. I haven’t eaten dinner. My old clunker won’t make the six-hour trip. I have about five hundred dollars in the bank and five dollars in my pocket. I had clients to take care of at the gym the next day. No problem. I was very aware of what I had to do next,” Armour writes. Simply, she had to get to Nashville. Armour cajoled a friend into borrowing the friend’s car – “not letting her off the line


until she agreed to give me the key to what was my future” – and the rest was history. Armour got to Nashville that next afternoon and aced the test, she writes in her book. For Armour, not getting to Nashville for the test was not an option – a lesson she imparts to her readers. After all was said and done, she writes, “The effort it took to get to Nashville wasn’t a big deal. Whatever I had to do, whatever it cost me was worth it, because my burning desire to become a cop trumped everything else at that time.” Little perhaps did Armour know at the time that her Nashville foray would be the first tenet of her book as “Step One: Develop Consciousness and Awareness.” In that step, she tells readers that identifying their passions will lead to finding their purpose in life. Recognize what you’re good at and how you really want to be spending your time, she advises.


The six other Steps are equally as


penetrating. Step Two focuses on those who procrastinate. She challenges her readers not to let procrastination lead to being just an Average Joe. “Unlock and release beliefs, fears, past experiences that might be holding you down, and then lay the groundwork for success,” she writes.


The remaining Steps include execut- ing sticky situations with self-discipline and resolve; acknowledging and moving past obstacles and challenges; learning how to understand fear, but charging past it; under- standing that success has no limits by using one accomplishment to build toward others; and using breakthroughs to leave a legacy in order to be a role model for others. In Zero to Breakthrough, Armour wants readers to look within themselves and build a core that will be sustainable over time because it is constructed with conviction. “Success is not a single destination, where, upon arrival, you stop, game over,” Armour writes. “The way I see it, accom- plishments come with responsibility break- throughs; they require commitment.”


www.blackengineer.com by M.V. Greene mgreene@ccgmag.com


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