Journal of a Black Teacher

Editorial opinion and three-year draft leadership plan By Dr. Don Allen Metro State University has an opportunity to define what applied innovation should mean at a public, urban university. It should mean research that solves real problems, partnerships that create opportunity, and technology that improves lives. It should also mean an institute with the financial discipline to sustain its work long after the excitement of a new initiative fades. That is the future I would lead as Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute . I believe I am the only candidate Metro State should consider because the leadership I offer connects education, organizational research, entrepreneurship, and community understanding. My case is not that I alone possess every technical answer. It is that I would bring these strengths together around a clear purpose: making innovation useful, accessible, and financially sustainable. The university should choose me not simply for the ideas...

Dr. Don Allen is an educator and administrator known for his work in curriculum development and instruction. In secondary education, his frameworks emphasize building strong study skills, time management, and systematic note-taking for high schoolers (Grades 9–12) to transition successfully into higher education and career paths. When implementing targeted note-taking instruction for grades 9 through 12, the focus shifts from simple compliance (copying words from the board) to active cognitive processing. Core Note-Taking Methodologies for Grades 9–12 High school curriculum requirements demand that students choose a system matching the structure of their subject matter: The Cornell Method : The gold standard for high school lectures and dual-enrollment prep. Students split the page into a note-taking column, a left-hand "cue" or question column, and a bottom summary block. The Outlining Method : Best for highly structured, linear subjects (e.g., History or Literature). It te...