Words of Inspiration

"Remember that whoever might be president of our country in 40 or 50 years is likely to be in someone's early childhood program today; and I hope she is having a good experience!"  -Lilian Katz

"Remember also that through their behavior children often ask us to help them become the kinds of persons we want them to be, because that is what they want to be.  They want to be the kinds of persons we like - especially while they are still very young!  We won't harm them by being clear about what we think is good, right, valuable, worth knowing, and worth understanding."  -Lilian Katz

"Never take someone else's views or opinions of you or your work more seriously than you take your own!  Take others' views seriously - there may be much to learn from them - but not more seriously than you take your own; for that is the essence of self-respect, and I believe that children benefit from being around self-respecting adults."  -Lilian Katz

"We cannot know the consequences of suffocating a spontaneous action at the time when the child is just beginning to be active: perhaps we suffocate life itself."  -Maria Montessori

"I absolutely fell in love with three and four year olds.  It was like the most joyful experience, where I felt that everything in me was being called to teach.  And also it was very rewarding.  It just made me feel whole.  It made me feel creative.  So it became my life long work with early childhood education." -Louise Dorman-Sparks     (I really identify with Louise's passion!)

                                      My Childhood Web - Mom, Dad, and Me On Vacation

My Personal Childhood Web

                                                          

I am an only child.  Both sets of grandparents, aunts,uncles, and cousins lived out of state.  My web was quite small - my mom and dad.  However, my web was very loving and nurturing.  I grew up in the 60's and 70's.  Most moms did not work outside the home and my mom was no exception.  She always had time to listen.  We spent a lot of time together.  Both of my parents were my biggest encouragers and so interested in my educational experience, my friends, and extra curricular activities.  My dad was very involved in helping me with homework and driving me places (my mom didn't drive).  My mom taught me how to cook and taught me how to sew by hand and how to embroider.  My parents definitely taught me right from wrong and instilled in me the values that I honor to this day.  They really valued education and were so proud when I graduated with my bachelor's degree (something neither had the opportunity to do).  I know they would be so pleased that I am finally pursuing my Master's degree.  My parents have both passed away and I miss them so very much.  They modeled for me how to treat others with respect and kindness and showed me unconditional love - life lessons I am so thankful for and strive to use in my daily interactions with family, friends, and the little ones in my care at preschool.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

"Children are a gift from God.  A teacher has the opportunity to care for and guide them."  - Jennifer Johnson
I truly believe children are a gift from God and what a privilege it is to be their teacher.

I have many favorite children's books.  We have an Open House each year before school starts and I like to read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn to the children and their parents.  It is a story about a little raccoon who is fearful of leaving his mom for his first day of school.  Mama Raccoon has a special surprise to give him to let him know her love goes with him wherever he goes. I always send home two heart stickers for the first day of preschool.  The child gives one to his mom and she gives one to him to help them both deal with those first day fears.

One of my favorite moments so far this school year really is a testament to the loving spirit inside each of the children who enter our classrooms.  I have a little 3 year old friend in my class who was very slow to make eye contact and warm up to me or his classmates for the first couple of months of the school year. Sometimes, at the beginning of circle time, I ask the children to give a friend a hug.  He finally progressed to where he would allow another child to put his or her arms around him, but he would not reciprocate.  A while back, we had a new student enter our class.  During "give a friend a hug" time, no one approached the new little girl.  I watched my reserved little guy looking at the new little girl who no one was hugging.  He got up and walked over to her and gave her a big hug, and she in  turn, hugged him back.  I was so proud of him and happy for him to make that big step out of his safety zone.  I told him how kind and thoughtful he was to make our new friend feel welcome.  Moments like that make my job so fulfilling.

I have just finished my first week of Master's work at Walden U.  I have already maneuvered some technology that two weeks ago I would have never attempted.  Writing the first assignment was a great review of writing technique and eye opener to APA style of writing.  It is really stimulating and challenging all at once.  I feel like I am much more focused at work and at home, knowing that I have to make my time count.  My husband has been a wonderful support and encourager.  Looking forward to what lies ahead.