Passion, Motivation, and Wisdom....

"My passion is to make sure that all children are taught in environments and ways that would nurture their ability to grow and develop to the fullest"

Louise Derman-Sparks

"Early childhood education and all education is a civil right issue because all children in education should endure optimal life experiences, it opens up the world to them and gives them the tools to ask questions and investigate."

Renatta M. Cooper

Quotes from Experts in Early Childhood Education and My Inspirations for Teaching

"Finally, learning occurs within the context of social relationships with other members of the community who have similar, if not identical, issues and concerns from the realm of practice."

Virginia Buysse Ph.D


"There is a beautiful child inside every child.  Put your energy into finding that child."

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

Childhood Web

There are many reasons I chose these five people in my life as inspiration and great influence, most importantly their dedication to me.

The first person that influence my life was my mother.  My mom was a very strong person who loved her children very much and always made time for us.  She read to me every night and gave me the gift of loving to read.  My mom was a very passionate person who always believed in my dreams and supported me in anything I chose to do even when I had to learn the hard way.  My mom is my greatest cheerleader in life.

The next greatest inspiration in my life is my school counselor my senior year in high school Ms. Blackwell.  My senior year was a very difficult time in which I became pregnant and chose adoption for my child.  When everyone else felt I was making the wrong decision, Ms. Blackwell gave me the wisdom and courage to do was right for me and my daughter at the time.  She was my hero who took care of me and told me that "I was the bravest person she knew, because I was giving someone a greater gift than myself."  I still talk to Ms. Blackwell today 17 years later and I thank her every time for giving me the strength I needed to be a better person.

The third person who always was there for me and impacted my life for the better was my third grade teacher Mrs. Mckenzie.  I was a new student starting a new school in the middle of my third grade year and she made me feels so welcome.  Afraid and not knowing anyone she took care of me, introducing me to my best friend I have kept in touch with the last 25 years and making me feel very special.  Mrs. Mckenzie was more than a teacher she would tell me stories of her and her best friend writing letters on toilet paper, she would always teach the material in a way that we could relate and understand and she always knew how to make me smile.  I have never known another teacher to touch me that way she did but she influenced me beyond any measure she ever thoguht to compare.

The fourth person who made me the person I am today is my brother and sister.  Growing up we often had to lean on each other through the difficult times of life and without them I am not sure I would of made it.  When I thought I needed to be strong for them they showed me how to be strong.  They were my best friends growing up we always had each others back and took care of one another.  We had and still do have a very special relationship that only brothers and sisters know about they are my safe place when I need to talk and my crazy siblings when I need a laugh!

This last person was my greatest influence in life, yet my memories of them were short lived as she passed away when I was 13, my grandmother.  My grandma was the greatest she loved all 26 of her grandchildren but made each of us feel like her favorite.  She taught me how to sew and we made my first homemade dress together.  She taught me the love of the Lord and provided me with my First Communion supplies needed for the special day.  My grandma always cared for others and would take me to her friend's houses to help her, she showed me the meaning of caring and being selfless.  I would not be the compassionate person I am today without her special talks and showing me how to change the world.

In the end I am truelly blessed to know these five people, they are the reason I am the mother, wife, and child I am today. I want to leave this poem I was given when I faced the biggest decsion of my life choosing adoption but the greatest support of my life Ms. Blackwell. I work with teenage girls and choosing adoption in my spare time at a local nonprofit organization hoping that one day I make a difference in a girl's life the way she has made in me.

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

 

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

© Author Unknown

My first year of teaching....and six years later I know why I am here.

Six years ago, I began my adventure of teaching preschool and never once did I think it would change the way I viewed the world.  Last year I was introduce to a child that had down syndrome, little did I know he would be in my classroom months later.  My first intial reaction to the news was  a little skeptical at first because I was not sure how I would be able to teach and meet the needs of each child and still be available to this child with disability.  Little did I know that child would change my world....Over the course of 8 months of school this child and I spent 6 hours a day with each other we accompolish potty training, he learned how to write his name, all the typical preschool curriculum.  My children and I grew to love this little boy he became the leader of our classroom teaching others to share and be kind, and most importantly to be tolerant of others.   In June of 2011 after a year of preschool I had to say to good-bye to my special friend as he embarked on the world of kindergarten. I must say it was the most difficult task I have had to do in my career in teaching.  I cried at our graduation, never once thinking of how this child changed me until I realized I had to say good-bye.  I miss you dearly my friend.

My favorite childhood story

As a child growing up my mom would read to me every night and my favorite book she read over and over was Hooper Humperdink..? Not Him!  As a child growing up we all experience some type of growing pains of not being invited to a party or being teased because we are diffferent...but this story changed it all for me.  Hooper Humperdink was a story of humanity in which a young child couldn't come to the party becuase he was not like the others....I always asked my mom over and over "Why are they so mean to Hooper, don't they see he is sad?"  My mom would always reply the same "Not every one in this world knows how special different is, you will see Hooper will change their minds."  In the end Hooper always changed their minds.  A simple bedtime story that I thought was a special moment with my mom, became a life lesson that its okay to be different. A story I have passed along to my children.

My Inspiration for teaching early childhood..

I once was in a class in which the teacher never asked questions or let the children express their ideas and I asked her "Do you think they are learning anything?"  The teacher looked at me and replied "Well what do you think I am doing?"  I answered her in a quiet smile and handed her the inspiration that was given to me several years ago from a dear colleague "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."  A chinese proverb I post on my classroom wall every year to remind me that I am setting the foundation of  lifetime learners, and I want to make it count.

Here we go!

Alright, new blog for the new year and so excited!