What I learned...

Even though I wasn't able to personal make connections with any international professionals I have still learned a lot through reading my colleagues posts about their connections.  It was informative and truly an eye-opener.  I also learned a lot from the global websites I explored and I am enjoying learning  about all the things that are going on in Latin America. 

 With all these new found connects and information I found that the consequences are all positive.  One consequences was the broadening of my perspective on early childhood studies on a global spectrum.  Each country have different needs and different solutions to their problems but I have found the main goal of every country is helping every child in the world; whether it through education, providing basic needs, or bring social awareness.  Another consequence I found through networking with other countries is be ability to spread the word about each countries issues and working EC professionals working together to solve the problem.  The third consequence of learning about international early childhood is being able to see other early childhood methods that are being used in other countries that may be able to be used here.  These new ideas could help some of our issues that are occurring here in the states. 

 

One goal I have is I recently learned that October 11th is International Day of the Girl Child.  This is a day designated to bring awareness to all the injustices girls face across the world.  I want spread the word about this day and help the cause become more mainstream.  The things some girls have to face in different countries are horrific and they are treated like property and not a human being.  This mindset has to cease and I know it will take a while to get there but I can at the least bring awareness and let people know about the horrific conditions females face globally and let spread the word about Oct 11th. 

Early Childhood Care and Education

I don't know what I am doing wrong.  I have tried every website and even social media to connect with international early childhood professionals and still I haven't received any feedback in returned.  Through my frustration I understand it is a very busy time everyone in the world.  So I am going to talk about a webpage I explored called, Early Childhood Care, and Education (ECCE) provided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  The first insight I gained from this webpage was their initiative to providing every child in this world with quality education.  Currently, worldwide, 61 million children and 71 million adolescents are out of school. At least 250 million children cannot read and count - even after four years of school - and 796 million people still lack basic literacy skills.  (UNESCO 2011) These figures are mind blowing.  I never knew the severity of the education situation worldwide.  Now that I know I will definitely do my part to help out the UNESCO anyway I can.

The second thing I found interesting was that IIEP Office in Buenos Aires launched a new website that provides information about the current propositions being done to fulfill the rights of young children in Latin America.  This is exciting because along with getting the word out about the events, proposals, and other actions being done to edify EC, they are also providing avenues to teachers to provide the proper education and training.  All this information is available in 19 countries.  I think that is very cool and imagine all the work that will get done because all these countries are working together.

The third thing I found interesting was that October 11, 2012 was the first International Day of the Girl Child.  It's a holiday to celebrate and bring awareness to girls globally.  Girls all over the world are suffering from poverty, social injustices, violence, and horrible inequalities.  Along with these awful conditions internationally most girls don't receive any education.  Having this day is the first step in helping girls everywhere.  I know I will celebrate October 11th every year and spread the news about the injustices girls suffer daily around the world.

P.S.  The EC field suffered great losses of young children and fellow EC professionals on Dec. 14, 2012 in Connecticut.  I am deeply saddened by these horrific events and my heart and prayers go out to the parents and families of everyone in Newtown, Ct.        

NAEYC and inclusion

Through further exploration of The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website I was able to learn a few new things.  There is an area where NAEYC voices all their core state standards initiative.  I was able to get a deeper understanding about the changes NAEYC wants to bring about and the reason behind their recommendations.  Also they have webinars and articles that focus on each type of preschools, from home-based centers to Title I regulatory that focus on guidance and strategies to having a successful center.   

There is also a place where we as professionals can get involved in helping the early childhood education profession.  They are asking professionals and parents to call into our local senators and ask them to not cut vital EC programs.  Everyone is aware of the "fiscal cliff" and usually educational programs are the first ones to get eliminated and a either a decrease or stop in funding to necessary EC programs too. 

I had been following the issue of inclusion in the classroom and some new information was provided in this issue.  It talked about being sensitive to everyone's religious beliefs during this holiday season.  The two ways they recommended was to either use December holidays as a teachable moment to introduce different traditions and cultural celebrations or don't celebrate any and just have a winter fest.  The main thing that has to be done first is to talk to parents to assure they are accept either plan action.  I found that to interesting because when I was a teacher I didn't think to ask parents and I just didn't celebrate any holiday not even a winter fest.

Harvard's Global Children's Initiative

I still haven't heard back from any early childhood professionals from another country.  I am still trying and hopeful I will hear back from one person before the quarter ends.  I explored Harvard's Global Children's Initiative.  I began with an article on the changes in Brazil.  An organization called Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI), is working hard to spread the information about the importance of applying science to Early Childhood and it affects everyone.  The NCPI is using this information to get politicians and policymakers to create better laws and policy that will benefit young children and families.  Also they are using the information to lure investors into investing in Early Childhood programs in Brazil.  

 Also in Brazil politicians, policymakers, public managers and civil-society leaders came together in March of this year, 2012, to recreate a new direction for Early Childhood Studies that will incorporate the science of Child Development.  That way teachers, administrators and other EC professionals will be better educated and provide better services to families. I think that is good and it will ultimately improve the country as a whole. 

Another article I read, "Creating a New Measure of Child Development", focused on a health economist, Günther Fink, assessing children in Zambia.  He needed information on the young children 's development to present his case about effects of Malaria on the country.  In Zambia the major causes of death in children under the age of 5 is malaria and HIV.  When Fink went to gather information he realize he couldn't use the same methods as we use in America.  Children in Zambia don't have toys like we have here.  So Fink and his team had to create instruments to help them assess the children's development.  Once they gathered the information he needed from 2,000 children,  he was able to use the numbers to present to policymakers in order to get needed funding and inform policymakers where children in Zambia are in their development and how they compare to children around world.  I wish the article went further into explain the methods he used in examine the children but it provide me with the realization that children from around the world require different methods when it come to assessments and gathering information on their development.  Every child is different especially ones from different countries so if I get the opportunity to work with children around the world I now know I have to use different methods to assess them.  

To Tablet or not to Tablet...that is the question...

     The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) had a really interesting article that I felt is relevant to my current professional development.  There was a particular article called "Touch and Grow: Learning and Exploring Using Tablets."  This article pertains to me because many preschools in my area are now entertaining the idea of using tablets in the classrooms as a learning tools.  I feel this is great idea since we live in a society where almost everything is associated with technology in some way.  However, like many parents, as  a teacher I do have some reservations.  This article helped me realize that tablets are safe for children but there special precautions teachers have to do.  Teachers must use safe apps and explore all the functions of the tablet and the apps.  Also needing parental approval is strongly encouraged just in case there are parents who don't agree with their children using the tablets. 

I learned that tablets can increase mental processes and brain development through the children using different activities in order to play the apps. This information helped me to understand why some neuroscientists recommend young children using tablets.  Also it helps economists argument about the importance of investing in the future.  By teachers and parents keeping children up to date with the fast pace of technology, they helping children to stay competitive globally. 
Another factor about the using tablets is how it can help teachers track developmental progression and keep documents electronically.  Also for preschools teachers who run schools out of their homes, tablets can help teachers take electronic payments from parents and keep record of those payments, which can help during tax season or if parents miss payments.                                                         

If you're interested in looking at the article here is the url, http://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/touch_and_grow.  I hope it helps you like it helped me. 

Child Poverty in Kyrgyzstan

Poverty is an issue that is present all over the world in every country.  Over 600 million children live in poverty, globally.  (Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre 2012)  These are horrific numbers and these numbers include developed countries.  The crazy thing is that in some countries over 60% of children live in families below the poverty line. (CHIP 2012)  One of those developing countries whose poverty stats interests me was Kyrgyzstan, which was a part of the Soviet Union.  In 1991 Kyrgyzstan gained independence and went through a tough time economically during the transition to independence.  It was so tough poverty rose to 60%. (CHIP 2012) 

Imagine all the children and families directly affected by poverty in that country.  The statistics are alarming.  "In 2001 49 per cent of urban young people under 20 and 55 per cent of rural under 20s lived in poverty in 2001 with 18 per cent unable to afford even their basic food needs. For young children the contrast is even starker - 57 per cent of urban infants under 1, and 65 per cent of rural under 1s lived in poverty." (CHIP 2012) This has caused for children to drop out of school and begin to work to help support their families and themselves.  The type of jobs they are doing are mostly working on farms and other agricultural jobs.  Also they are due to there being a large number of homeless children, child prostitution and trafficking is a common occupation as well.

 Another awful factor is the children health issues that come because of poverty.  7% of children were malnourished and 14% didn't have any access to health services or immunizations.  (CHIP 2012)  This causes for there to be a rise in tuberculosis cases.  It's sad that most families have to choose between health care, education for their kids, and having enough funds in order to obtain the basic essentials for the family. 

It's good to know there is a plan of action to tackle the poverty issue in Kyrgyzstan.  There is a specific plan that takes on child poverty.  It's a three year plan that is national implemented.  Programs focus on social welfare and encourage children to stay in school.  (CHIP 2012)

Kyrgyzstan. (2012)  Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre. Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#25

My Favorite Resource

There are many resources I draw from in order to stay current, answer inquires, and give me new ideas when working with young children and also provides information for my children.  I have three children who are under the age of five and I have the same concerns of my students' parents.  My favorite source to go to is The National Association for the Education of Young Children. This website, www.naeyc.com, covers a wide range of issues and keeps me up to date.  They don't have a newsletter they send out so I check the website every other week.   I want to join the NAEYC organization and become a member.  That way I do get my information via email and mail.  The main focus of NAEYC is to provide the latest and innovative ways, events, and ideas that are going on early childhood education. 

When I went on the website, recently, I found an article about the talking to children and youth after a traumatic event.  This intrigued me due to the recent event, Hurricane Sandy and made me think about all the children who were greatly affected by it.  Families lost their homes and there are many adults who don't know where to begin to pick up the pieces.  Also there are still people out of power and living in conditions were the weather is freezing.  This article provides ways for parents and educators to notice the effects of trauma and how to help the children. 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2012) Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events.  A Guide for Parents and Educators.  Retrieved from  http://www.samhsa.gov/MentalHealth/Tips_Talking_to_Children_After_Disaster.pdf

My quest to contact childhood professionals

So far I have attempted to make contact with three educational professionals.  They are from Hungary, Singapore, and The Philippines.  I hope to hear back from them and that they are willing to communicate with me about their experiences in the early childhood profession in their countries. 

I have narrowed down my selection to National Black Child Development Institute.  I chose it because I work in a urban setting where the majority of my students are African American.  Also the graduation rate is rapidly dropping my city.  So I am hoping to gain knowledge and insight that will help my students, their families, and my community.  So if you are having difficulties narrowing down your chose, choose something that will help your community and provide you with tools to effective.    

My Supports

My Supports

My support system is very tight knit and consists of a few people.  These two people are the people I look to on a daily basis to help me throughout the day.  My husband is all around support for me.  He provides emotional, financial, mental, and physical support.  I go to him for everything and whenever I am upset he was the first person I run too.  He keeps me sane and provides emotional stability in those times when I am all over the place.  Also he is the sole provider for our family.  He took on this burden and encourage me to go back to school in order to accomplish one of my personal goals.  He helps me with our kids and cleans up around the house.  Also he when I have difficulties around the house or with the cars he is the one I turn too.  He gives so much support in many different avenues on a daily basis.  I love him for that.  My second support is my mother.  I talk to her almost every day.  The support she gives me is mental and emotional.  As a mother of four, I tend to get overwhelmed and lose patience with daily setbacks.  I call her and she reassures me everything is going to be ok and gives sound advice.  Yes every day I am running to my mother for one reason or another, from how to cook a certain dish or for her to calm me down because one of my children got into something.  Every day I need two people, if not, I wouldn't be able to make it through the day.

I rely on my support systems so much because I think of the times I need to be at several places at one time.  Like having I had a job interview, my son was a special event at his school that was going on during the day and the school wouldn't allow siblings.  If this ever happens I would need my support to help me keep it together and accomplish each task.  My husband would most likely take time off work and go to the school and tape and send it to me.  By doing this he is providing physical support and relieving the stress of the mental and emotional guilt of not being there.  My mother would stay with my other kids.  Her support would also relieve the mental distress. 

These two people are always available when I need them and the fact they are always available to provide support makes it much easier on me.  As stated before I wouldn't know where I would be if they weren't part of my support system.  If their support didn't exist I would be in way over my head and I wouldn't be able to be good mother, wife, and I probably be in a hospital receiving mental help. I need them every day.       

My Childhood Connections to Play

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Sweet childish days, that were as long as twenty days are now. ~William Wordsworth

These two quotes describe my childhood to a T.  I come from a big family.  I am one of five so I had many people to play with.  My parents made sure my siblings and I played as much as possible.  I played outside a lot and what I remember is the sky being so blue and the air so crisp.  The smell of grass in the beginning of summer and feeling the dew on my feet in the morning time.  My parents would play outside with us.  At the age of 4 years old, I remember my mother using games and songs to teach me colors, numbers, alphabet, and even how to spell my name.  It not only helped with the remembering and learning but it was fun.  My father was huge factor when it came to outside play.  I remember my father teaching my how to pump my legs on the swings and then he would swing with me.  I thought he could swing so high and then he would jump off the swings.  So to me my father was superman and he could fly and I wanted to fly too.  Then he would make the simply things fun.  He taught us how to skip rocks in the lake and that fun is what you make it.  We were never indoors. 

Now that I am mother myself I try to do the same things for my children.  I take them outside and show them there are many things explore just outside our doors.  My children love to go outside and play and I love that.  However, I see due the changes in time, playing isn't the same.  Usually we are the only ones outside playing in the dirt and stuff and many of my neighbors have expressed concerned for my actions.  They feel children shouldn't play in the dirt and why aren't they in daycare.  I laugh off their words and continue to raise my kids the way I want too.  I want my children to feel the dew and see the bright blue sky.  Also most of the games are electronic and I feel that is stunting my children's imagination and creativity.  I want them to learn and be imaginative through their play not just entertained.  My husband I will send them to preschool but right now I want them to enjoy learning and playing with me.  I want to lay the foundation.        

Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships are very important to me.  I need a support system.  Those who truly want the best for me.  I get encouragement from them.  They help me make decision with their guidance and wisdom.  They love me unconditionally.  When my emotions are taking over me and I feel like I am going to have a breakdown they talk me off the ledge.  I can't strive without my support system.

This support system I can't live without is consists of a few people.  My number one go-to-person is my husband, Terence.  He is so supportive. He was the one who encouraged me to go back to school and has been the sole provider for our family.  When I feel overwhelmed with school work and/or the kids or just life in general he is the one who calms the storms in my life. We maintain our positive relationship with communicating, understanding one another, and letting the each other flourish in their strengths.  We are two very busy people and sometimes life can get in the way so we learned to stop and listen and come to a solution together.  I feel this would work with forming partnerships with busy parents.  Having an open dialogue, understanding and being compassionate, and listening are keys to working together.   

 Other people in my support system are my parents.  They are there for me no matter what.  They don't judge me or my decisions.  I feel this also is a key to working with and forming partnerships with parents.  I cannot judge them and they can't judge me.  I want to work with a number for diverse people and I must decrease my biases and not judge them.  Also I don't want the parents to judge me and my teaching styles.  It would be stressful and uncomfortable  to have someone hanging over me to make sure I am doing my job.

I have learned through my present relationships how to deal with people and I will continue to learn how to develop healthy relationships with my students' parents that will help the student flourish.     

Thanks...

I want to send out a special thank you to everyone who took time to read blog and those who participated and commented.  I learn a lot and enjoyed reading your comments.  Thank you!

One of my Favorite Quotes

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

This is a quote I chose because it speaks volumes.  I, myself, like other adults tend to focus so much on child's future and forget the importance of their present well being.  I have to remember that even though every child has a bright future, we must recognize and acknowledge how they are special now.  This is a quote I will hold onto throughout my career. 

Assessment of Children

I think children shouldn't be assessed or measured at all.  I think it causes a lot of stress to place measurements on them. I know many children who excel in different areas and they lose confidence in themselves when they begin to compare their assessments to others.  I know we have to track them in order to know how to teach and help them but what if the information we come across wasn't the "end all, be all" for judging success.  This way there isn't anything to compare and the child feels free to grow into themselves instead on being molded into what we think is a whole child. 

In China I know children are assessed my their academics.  There is huge amounts of pressure placed on the children at an early age to succeed in school.  They have to go through exams just to enter grade school.  Also children are taught to be very competitive with one another in order to motivate them to do their best.

After reading about how China assesses their children this is why I chose my opinion of not assessing children at all.  I could only imagine the pressure and the feeling of being a failure I wasn't able to succeed and be the best in school. 

My childhood stressor

As a child I grew in a rural area and there were very few African Americans in my community.  To be honest I was the only African American person my high school graduating school.  I encounter a lot racism and was to expose to intense levels of hatred throughout my childhood.  I didn't cope well to my surroundings.  I went through levels of self-loathing and depression because I felt there was something wrong with me and then as I got older I became a very angry person.  I would fight with my classmates and say mean and hurtful things.  My thinking was I was going to hurt them before they hurt me.  I didn't explain anything to my parents and I would internalize and then with one instance just explode.  It wasn't until I was an adult I realized exactly what was going on and how their hatred toward me wasn't my problem but they were the ones with the issue. 

When I explored racism in Europe I was shocked to know this is still an ongoing issue.  Here in America I don't hear much about racism across the globe.  In Europe there is segregation but is based on socioeconomic status.  This is understandable due to the fact in their history they had the feudal system.  This effects the children because the kids who are from the lower economy will feel lesser than those higher up.  It has to be frustrating being locked into a status because it is very hard to climb up and gain a higher socioeconomic status.  There are social groups fighting for equality but because people are used it to being a certain way things aren't changing fast enough.   

Malnutrition in children

Malnutrition children is a huge problem across the world.  It is a topic I hold close to my heart.  It is one of my professional and personal goals to make sure all every child has access to the proper channels to receive the right foods, vaccinations, etc in order to be the healthiest they can be.  I have seen firsthand people in my own community struggle and this has lead to their children's' poor nutritional habits that will have long terms effects on their lives.  I have seen starving children.  I have seen children who eats only fast foods and junk foods.  I have children who didn't exercise. Seeing all these troubling children truly has affected me and are images I will never forget.  As well as seeing malnutrition children I have also seen healthy children and seen how they flourished.  I want to see all children be healthy.
In the world, malnourished children is all over.  I learned, according to UNICEF.com, that one in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India.  50% of all children's death in India are related to malnutrition.  It isn't just because of lack food but also due to the lack of health service access and also the poor health of the pregnant mothers while carrying their children.  One of the major causes of malnutrition is vitamin deficiencies because it affects the child's survival and development. 

The information I have learned has impacted my future work by making me more determined to help struggling children.  It is important and has to become one of my top priorities.  I feel the simplest changes could make a huge difference around the world.         

My birthing experience

First, I would like to begin with the fact I had a difficult pregnancy with my youngest son.  I had a lot going on in my personal life and I was in the final year of my undergraduate studies.  Stress had become a commonality in my life.  I had high blood pressure and I was borderline diabetic.  My doctor felt he might come early so I was on strict bed rest but this was difficult since I had two other children to take care of.

So the night I he was born, things went very quickly.  I started experiencing labor pains at 3am and by 5am I was having contractions 5 minutes apart.  I had to wait for my brother to get to my house because the hospital wouldn't allow my children to go into the room with my husband and I.  I almost gave birth to my child at my house.  We rushed to the hospital and by the time we got there the doctor informed me that it was too late to medicine so I had to give birth to him naturally.  I barely got comfortable in the bed and before I knew it my child was here.  We got the hospital at 5:30am and he was born at 5:46am. 

I chose this birthing story because the fact I had so many external factors going on it truly affected my pregnancy and my birthing experience.  It important to understand how powerful external factors are to prenatal development.  My child was healthy but things could have went another way.      

When examining other cultures around the world I became interested in the Chinese birthing rituals.  The actual birthing process is similar to American.  They can have them in hospitals or at home.  Men typically don't participate in the birth.  My husband was very much involved. What makes them different is after the baby is born the mother and child are separated for one month.  This is because in the past many women and children would die during this vulnerable time so both the child and the mother are closely monitored and the mother is on bed rest during this time.  Also it is a tradition for the mother to eats the placenta.   

Thank you!

I want thank everyone who was supportive, kind, and encouraging of my blog.  I have enjoyed sharing my learning experience with you all.  It is my desire to inpsire you to chase your dreams and encourage you to reach your professional goals.  Thank you and never give up because it will be all worth it in the end.

Code of Ethics

     Ethics are very important and I take the codes of ethics very seriously.  The three that are very meaningful to me. The first one is  "to advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful." (NAEYC, 2005)  I want to be a child advocate and sometimes it very hard families to access information or get into programs that are beneficial to their child so I want to see every child, no matter race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc, have access to the things they need in order to reach their potential.

     The second code that is meaningful to me is "to develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families I work with. (NAEYC, 2005)  I feel it important to have a family participation and this can only be done if the family and I are on the same page when using methods to help the child.  This way the work can be carried out at home as well as school and consistency is key to success.

     The third ideal is "to share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided." (NAEYC, 2005) I want to stay current and I want to be able to tap into all types of resources.  So sharing resources and having team work effort is very important.

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved June 12, 2012,   from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

I have a whole page dedicated to resources on  my blog now.  I am very happy to share some references where I to get my information.  To access this page it is simple.  At the top of my blog, to the right, there is a section called resources.  Simply click on it and all my resources will pop up.  Hope you enjoy!

Some more resources

Here are three additional resources I like to use:

National Head Start Association (http://www.nhsa.org/)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for children and Families (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/index.html)

The National Children's Advocacy Center (http://www.nationalcac.org/)

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Here are some words of encouragment that are pushing me to continue on with my educational and professional goals:

"Great teaching is an art," by Doug Lemov. 
"Teachers must support a positive sense of self-identity in each child," by Susan Bredekamp. 

After listening to a few professionals in the early childhood field here are some quotes that have stuck with me: 

"We as professionals have the opportunity to shape a child's life," said by Sandy Escobido a child advocate.

"I'm not here to save the world but to make a difference," said by Raymond Hernandez MS Ed.  This is my favorite quote. 

Personal Childhood Web

There are have been many people who have been intricate parts to my childhood.  The first person comes to mind is my mother.  She was a stay at home mom.  She taught me everything.  She cared for me when I was sick.  She made sure I got good grades.  She comforted me when I got my first broken heart.  Even now, I still go to her for guidance and assistance.  One time when I was a teenager I really going through something and she brought me a bouquet of flowers and card that said, "You are a special lady."   I still have the card.
Another person who was essential in my childhood was my father.  He was also my pastor.  He was taught me morals and right from wrong.  Also my father showed me how to have fun and enjoy life.  He would give me money to go to the corner store and get candy every day.  He always would play tag with me and he would swing on the swings with me.  That personal time we had made me feel really special.
My Aunt Lena came and lived with us when I was baby and she looked out for me.  She was young and she didn't have to take time out to babysit me but she did.  She would sing to me and that made me feel special.  Even to this day she calls and checks in on me and to make sure everything is okay.
My grandparents on my dad's side would call me all the time.  They took interest in what was going on in my life.  My granny would give me wisdom and send me a birthday card every birthday, even when I got older.  In some instances I still hear her voice when I feel stuck and don't know how to get out of a situation.
My grandparents on my mom's side would take interest in my life too.  They live in Texas and I am lived in New York so it was very hard to see them but when I did they would give me a big hug and listen to me ramble about my life.  As far back as I can remember they never cut me off.  My grandmother sings happy birthday to me every year and if I have any problems she is right there to listen to me and give advice.      

My beautiful husband and I.  Aren't we cute? lol

My favorite book

My favorite children's book is Happy Birthday Moon by Frank Asch.  My parents would read this story to me every night before I went to bed and now I read it to  my kids.  I love this book because it taught me how to be considerate of others and it good it feels to give others.  I hope my children will receive the same message because it is essential to help other who are in need. 

My favorite quote and life motto

"Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love." by Zig Ziglar is my favorite quote and one of the mottos I live by.  I am a firm believer in capturing the imagination of children and a great way to do that is by fueling their excitement.  When I was a teacher I noticed when the children were excited about activity or lesson it captured their attention and they excelled at it. Also I believe if a teacher truly loves their job and is passionate about it then the students will be more apt to learning from them.  I feel this is because the teachers who are love teaching children will make the environment conducive to learning and will go the extra mile to make sure the students are working their potential. 

First post

I am excited because I am new to blogging.  I can't wait to share my journey with you.  Hope you enjoy reading.