Words of Inspiration and Motivation..

Through out my years in the Early Childhood profession I have gained so many resources, and have had the pleasure of learning about many individuals that have inspired me along the way. Out of many I have chosen to wonderful individuals to share with you all.....

Barbara T. Bowman, an African American educational leader that has devoted her her life advocating for young children from low-income families and minorities. Bowman emphasis the importance of inter generational family support and roles.

Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all of society's ills--from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood programs can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the effects of all harmful social and psychological environments.
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/author/Barbara+Bowman?page=1#KJZqsL7eoTcJ9d5j.99

Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all of society's ills--from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood programs can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the effects of all harmful social and psychological environments.
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/author/Barbara+Bowman?page=1#KJZqsL7eoTcJ9d5j.99

 " Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all society's ills--from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood  can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the affects of all harmful social and psychological environments".  
- Barbara T. Bowman

Vivian Gussin Paley, an advocate, educator, and author of many teacher research literature. Paley emphasis the importance of play in the classroom, as early educators we learn that children learn through real-life hands on experiences. Paley"s literature collections range from teaching educators about diversity, expression, and creativity.

"The answer, for me, is to be found once again within the function of play. Given that a child is not totally withdrawn, or uncontrollably violent, the play activities of a regular kindergarten group provide the best environment in which to learn about people and behavior. The five year-old who lacks controls must be given a chance to play with children who have them".
-Vivian Gussin Paley

In our Foundations of Early Childhood course we were introduced to a multimedia entitled; "The Passion for Early Childhood".   The presentation was based on five individuals responses to which lead their motivation and passion for working with young children. 
Louise Derman-Sparks stated; " The passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments that truly nurtured their ability to grow and develop to their fullest abilities".
Sandy Escobido mentioned in her section of the presentation that; "we as early educators have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better".

Course Media: "The Passion for Early Childhood"
Five early childhood professionals share passion, motivation, and commitment to the early childhood field

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.
Anthony J. D'Angelo
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/passion.html#K2qFprgPwo0X0iv4.99

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow". - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all of society's ills--from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood programs can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the effects of all harmful social and psychological environments
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/author/Barbara+Bowman?page=1#KJZqsL7eoTcJ9d5j.99

Although good early childhood programs can benefit all children, they are not a quick fix for all of society's ills--from crime in the streets to adolescent pregnancy, from school failure to unemployment. We must emphasize that good quality early childhood programs can help change the social and educational outcomes for many children, but they are not a panacea; they cannot ameliorate the effects of all harmful social and psychological environments.
Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/author/Barbara+Bowman?page=1#KJZqsL7eoTcJ9d5j.99

Personal Childhood Web.............

I have to start this blog off with a picture of my mother once again. This special lady raised my 3 half brothers from my fathers' first marriage as well as my half sister. Through out the years of raising my half siblings, I can remember mom telling me how much grief and trouble they gave her simply because she was not their biological mother whom had left them and was not her from until many, many years later.
My mother has always been there for all of us, she was the nurturer, the nurse, the psychologists, mentor, the daughter, sister, and wife. Through out my mother's life she has always taught me how to stand up for what I believe in, that is was okay to cry, but then I must always believe that there is a brighter light at the end of what may seem like the longest, darkest tunnel ever.
My mother was there for me through the birth of my 3 children, when I delivered mt twins at 25 weeks, I can remember my mother calling every day saying there was a prayer train going, and the girls will make it home soon. About 1 month after my mother touched my children in their incubators, she died suddenly from Renal failure. Her selflessness and strength has inspired me to be the mother, wife, educator, mentor, nurse, and psychologist I am today!

This Man, is my hero.. My father! My dad raised 7 children, I am the youngest of them all. My father is 73 years old, and believes in taking care of his health. He has always been a provider for my siblings and I. My dad worked for United Parcel Service for over 35 years before retiring. I can remember stories he told me from the early 70s just starting his job out, having to drive back and fourth through a town called Old Fort. In that time, Old Fort was not a very diverse area, in fact there were still restrooms labeled; "black and white".
 My father told me stories of how most of the citizens, as well as store owners would spout out negative words to him, asking him to not return and deliver at a place where he was wanted. 
This continued for many years, my determined and courageous father continued his deliveries in Old Fort, because at that time, the further you traveled, the more income you could bring in. When asked by his supervisor if he wanted to reroute, he stated; "this is my job, and no one will scare me away, or keep me from providing for my family".
 My dad has taught me to continue to fight for what you believe in, no matter how hard the fight may seem, and a very important lesson was to speak up and firmly if it is for a cause you strongly believe in which is a goal I am personally working on to the day.

My wonderful husband and best friend! There is not enough words to express how much this man has done for me and his children. My husband works hard with very little complaining, he provides and supports all of us, he has been the rock through the passing of my mother, the PTSD, and Post Postpartum Depression I suffered through out it all, and the days when I wanted to  fall down and give up, he has been my safety net and shoulder to lean on! This past December my husband lost his mother suddenly, she was 59 years old. My husband has always been the type of person who struggled with holding in his emotions to be strong for his children and I, he finally broke down weeks later while apologizing to me for being so weak. 
The lesson I have learned from my husband is to not keep going holding things in, in fear of feeling weak being vulnerable can be a sign of strength and courage, because you are willing to ask for help, guidance, and strength.

The beautiful young lady on the right is my loving niece. My niece brings to my community motivation, strength, courage, and nurturing abilities. At the age of 14 my niece gave birth to her first son, and was emancipated from her family a year later. She spent years in shelters, and organizations that helped youth with children get on their feet. She met up with her child's father at the age of 16, married and thought that she finally found love and stability.
After years of struggling and loosing her young husband to the penal system, she realized she needed to provide consistency and a safe/healthy living environment for her and her son.
At the age of 30 she received her Bachelor's in Social work and is now attending Graduate school!


  My best friend and sister at arms!!!!!!! We have known each other for 32 years. And we also are co-teachers. Loving me when I am moody, having challenging days, and just not feeling well is what she brings to my community.. Encouraging me to complete my Bachelor's degree, and motivating me to push forward to my Masters degree, is what my dear friend brings to my family/community circle.
My best friend is a huge part of my village, she is  also the god mother to my children.
 

Introduction- EDUC-6005

This is a picture of my sister on the left and my beloved mother whom we lost 2009 shortly after my extreme premature daughters were born. My was holding me on her lap, and always told me stories about how I was the most squeezable child, probably a nicer way to say I was chunky!

Destinee and Makenzie, born February 4, 2009 at 25 weeks.

This is me now!!!!!






 I have worked in Early childhood for over 14 years, throughout that time there has been challenging days, and very rewarding days learning and growing with the children I teach from year to year.. I am a wife and mother of five girls, my oldest will be graduating high school this year, and heading to Mars Hill College in NC in the Fall.

Favorite children's Book:

I Love My Hair! By: Natasha Tarpley

This is a wonderful book that teaches a certain awareness of diversity, not only through one's skin color, but the texture of their hair, and the history behind it.

And Tango Makes Three. By: Justin Richardson

Teaches children that there are all types of families that are unique and different, although they may appear different to some, the love they share are the same.

A Moment To Remember.....

The Fall of 2012, a family and young four year-old child who I shall call J. walked into my young preschool classroom. As I began to introduce myself to his mother and father I felt a tug at my leg. I looked down to a blue-eyed child with a huge smile and a thumb sticking out the side of his mouth, with the free hand he waved, and began mumbling words only he could understand.

 Prior to the start of the year my co-teacher and I read over each of the children's personal information,m as well as their "All about me" journals which shares things about what they like/dislike and a little family background.J is a child with Global delays which include; speech delays, swallowing/feeding delays, and sensory issues.

 As J's mother spoke to me about any last instructions before departing, I noticed J and his father out of the corner of my eyes admiring the pictures on the walls and testing the large trucks that lined the block center wall, J also thought it would be cool to see what would happen if he jumped off of the book shelf. I immediately turned my attention back to mom with the thought of "ugh.. this is going to be a long year".

 J's mother explained to me briefly why they left their past center which he had attended since he was a year old, she stated that the director told her it was to costly to keep J at their center due to his special dietary needs, his high demands with needing specialists daily could no longer be done due to budget cuts, and last the teacher's felt overwhelmed and due to some of his physical challenging behaviors, other families feared for their children's safety.

 As the year got started my co-teacher and I felt the challenges and high demands of J we were given a heads up about, as well as the wrath of other families fearing J would hit or severely hurt their child. After a lot of team meetings, planning, constant communication and partnership with J's family, the other children learned about J, why he has the challenges he has, and ways we all can work together as a classroom community to help him and each when needed. 
The children would go home and talk about J in such a positive way that the families in urn began to come in and volunteer, the families built a partnership with one another, that eventually helped J' the school year J was able to receive speech therapys mother and father with respite care so that they could focus on house cleaning and other things they may have found challenging with having to care for their son.

 J was one of the first children our county to receive an updated language communication device funded through an Early head start program that knew about his developmental needs! Throughout the school year J was able to receive speech therapy, physical therapy, and he special feeding therapy which was also shared with the teachers so that we were able to facilitate these needs for J on the days the therapists were not there.

As I was setting up my classroom with cool activities for the last week of the program school year, I was startled by a door being flung open and a child runs through the door with his mother and father running behind him. I greeted J's family and felt a tug at my leg, again a smiling blue-eyed child looks up to me and says; "hi", at the same time signing; "good morning".


Part of the problem with the word 'disabilities' is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can't feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren't able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities.”
― Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers

A Child's vision:






I love this picture because, it does not just show a child holding a marker, crayon, or pencil. This picture shows a child who decided to  use art a sensory experience as well as a creative experience!

 Why I do what I do.....

• I have the passion for working with young children.
• I never have to worry about every day being the same.
• I enjoy the nurturing aspect..
• I want to be a role model for young children.
• I enjoy the partnerships and relationships with families, specialists, and colleagues along the way.