PASSIONATE QUOTES

"...I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution in the world, and to fix all the injustices that existed in the world, and I wanted to do that through teaching."

- Louise Derman-Sparks

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, and so that's what makes me passionate about this field."

- Sandy Escobido

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

"I'm really not a partisan political person.  I remember when I was in Washington, they kept trying to get me to say whether I was a Republican or a Democrat.  I just said, my politics are children.  That's all I know anything about."
- Edward Zigler

"If we consider human intelligence at the period of earliest childhood, man does not yet appear to rise above the level of the other animals.  All his intellectual faculties are strictly confined to the narrow circle of his physical needs.  It is upon himself alone that the operations of his mind are exercised.  Education must then seize them and apply them to his instruction, that is to say to a new order of things which has no connection with his first needs.  Such is the source of all knowledge, all mental progress, and the creations of the most sublime genius."
- Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard

PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

There were five people who were very influential in my life as a child.  They are:

1. NANA - my grandmother
2. MOMMY - my mother
3. MARCUS & JAMILLAH - my cousins
4. MS. BUSBY - my teacher
5. RHONDA - my childhood friend

By far, the most influential person to ever have an impact on my life is my grandmother, Nana.  There is something special about a grandmother's love.  It's indescribable.  You would have to experience it to know for yourself.  All I can say is that it's infinite.  It has no limit.  My grandmother only had a 3rd grade education, but she taught me lessons about life that were not in any of the books.  I learned how to cook, how to value education, how to be a mother from Nana.  She taught me how to nurture and love. 

My mother also influenced my life.  As a single parent, my mother had to work long hours in order to financially support me.  My grandmother basically raised me because my mother was always working.  I knew my mother cared about me, but unfortunately, she was unable to physically be there for me.  I learned how to be an independent woman from my mother.

My cousins, Marcus and Jamillah were my favorite little people in the entire world.  We were all a year apart, so when I was 5, Marc was 4 and Millah was 3.  They were brother and sister, living in New York, while I lived in Jersey.  I was an only child so I depended on them for my fun.  When Marc and Millah would come visit, we took over my grandmother's house.  The house was huge, so we pretty much destroyed it from top to bottom.  I learned how to be a leader from my cousins.  They looked up to me for everything, from advice, to coming up with an apology for Nana when we would get in trouble. 

My fourth grade teacher, Ms. Busby was my favorite teacher in the world.  I remember being in first grade and seeing her in the school and praying that one day she'd be my teacher.  Lucky for me, I got my wish.  Seeing Ms. Busby, who was African-American, gave me a sense of pride.  I was proud to see a classy and educated young woman in a position of helping others learn.  Ms. Busby made me feel special.  She made me want to be just like her.  She's one of the main reasons I became a teacher.

My friend, Rhonda, was my best friend growing up.  She was five years older than me.  Rhonda lived on the same block as I did, and I would go over her house all of the time.  She was like a big sister to me.  Rhonda taught me how to do gymnastics, how to jump rope, how to do drills, and how to braid hair.  She cared about me so much that she wouldn't hang out with friends that were her age, just so she could spend time with me.  Rhonda taught me about sacrifice.   

Every single person that I've named still impacts my life.  I use the experiences I've shared with each them to keep me grounded whenever life throws a curve ball my way.  I use the lessons I've learned from them to help me through those curve balls.

IMAGE OF A CHILD'S DRAWING

This picture is called "Spring Flowers."  It is drawn by April F., age 9, Michigan.  I chose this drawing because I love her view of the spring.  It represents a time where everything has a fresh, new beginning.
Retrieved from:  http://www.kookerkids.com/Images/gallery_images/spring_flowers.jpg

HEART-WARMING STORY

A story about a child who has touched my heart is called "Three Letters from Teddy," by Elizabeth Silance Ballard.  It is an inspiring story about a boy named Teddy, who's teacher that doesn't want anything to do with him.  But she changes her views and takes a sincere interest in educating him.  It's because of her effort and support, that he perservered, later becoming a success.  
You can read "Three Letters from Teddy" on the website:  http://www.pattishomepage.com/read/teddy.htm
You can view the Teddy Stallard Story on the website:  http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/

FAVORITE BOOK

Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes, is my favorite book to read to my kindergartners during the first week of school.  I use it to cover lessons in all areas of the curriculum.

• Language Arts - name recognition
• Math -  counting letters
• Science - chrysanthemums
• Social Studies - bullying

Book Summary
Chrysanthemum is a girl who loves her name and thinks it is absolutely perfect.  That's until she goes to school.  At school, her classmates tease her for being named after a flower.  They also tease her for having a name that is so long.  Chrysanthemum starts to hate her name and wishes she had a short name.  Feelings and opinions start to change when the children meet a vivacious music teacher named Mrs. Twinkle.  Mrs. Twinkle teaches the children the importance of being proud of who you are. 

There are two reasons why I love this book.  The first reason is because of the colorful language that Kevin Henkes uses.  The second reason is the impactful message that this book teaches us all - take pride in your own uniqueness.

FAVORITE QUOTES

To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.
- Heather Cortez

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.
- Angela Schwindt