Words of Inspiration and Motivation: “The Passion for Early Childhood”

"My Passion now is really the same as it was because children are still trying to figure out all their different identities."


-Professionals share passion, motivation, and commitment to the early childhood field

Words of Inspiration and Motivation: Quote: Lilian Katz PhD

"(...)the younger the children, the less able they are to articulate their ideas, needs, and feelings, and the greater the burden on teachers to make accurate inferences about what the children are thinking and feeling."

Katz, Lilian G. "Perspectives on the quality of early childhood programs." Phi Delta Kappan 76.3 (1994). Retrieved from:  Expanded Academic ASAP. 

Words of Inspiration and Motivation: Quote: Virginia Buysse PhD

"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."

Buysse, Virginia, Karen L. Sparkman, and Patricia W. Wesley. "Communities of practice: connecting what we know with what we do." Exceptional Children 69.3 (2003): 263. Retrieved from: Expanded Academic ASAP. 

Personal Childhood Web

My mom, her name is Kathy and she has been the best mom. Every since I can remember she has been the person I could tell anything and would support me know matter what. While growing up I was the youngest and definitely tested my parents but no matter what I did my mom would always listen to my side of the story. She is the person who took care of me, taught me to read and always believed in me. My mom told me from a young age that there was something special about me and that I was going to do great things. I call my mom every day and I know that if I’m having the best or worst day that she will be there for me.

My dad, his name is Pat. He is a great guy; he is very friendly, funny, loving and smart. Growing up his sense of humor definitely helped me get in good moods when I was upset, he always knew how to get me to smile and still does. He would always help me with my homework and give good advice. I used to get embarrassed by how friendly my dad was when I was younger and now I see myself acting just like him. I still to this day depend on my dad for advice and to help cheer me up when I down.

My sister, this is Megan. She is my oldest sister and played the role as an oldest sister while growing up, she is 5 years older than me. I remember Megan coming into my room after my parents put me to bed and re-tucking me in, she would say, “snug as a bug in a rug.” I recently reminded her of this because I did it to a kid in my preschool class and she could not believe I remembered that, we were thinking it was when I was in preschool and kindergarten. Megan showed me that extra care and I learned that from her. She showed patience with me (I was the rebel child) and I learned that, it helps me every day. Megan is very supportive, I still look up to her and she is now an amazing friend!

This is my sister Brittany. Brittany was probably the coolest person I knew growing up. I wanted to be just like her. She always dressed the best, did the coolest things, I really looked up to her. I know sometimes I got on her nerves but no one has been as protective of me as Brittany. She always (and still does) called me her little Mamie and watched over me. We are exactly 3 years apart (we have the same Birthday) so for the most part always went to the same schools and she would watch over me. Over the years Brittany has grown into an amazing friend (still protective of me)!

This is my grandma. She is the person that would take care of me when I was sick growing up. My family and I would go over to her house every week, usually we would go to church and she would make us dinner. In middle school my dad and I would go over to her house every morning and eat breakfast with her. My grandma is a lady who tells you her views, she made sure that my sisters and I knew we were Irish and to be proud of it. She is a tough lady but I know how much she loves me. I love when I go back to Iowa to sit in her living room on the same couch I laid on while sick when I was young and I listen to her tell me stores about when she was growing up. My grandma will always be honest with me.

A Child's Artwork

 This is a piece of art from a child in my class. I chose it because the child chose to do it for fun! She was so excited about experimenting with water-colors. This was here forth picture she painted and the only one she wanted to keep. She had messed up the other paintings, as she said, but this painting she was proud of. It shows determination, even at the age of four!

Quote

"Children are all foreigners."

                    -Ralph Waldo Emerson

My favorite children's book

 I did not learn about this book until I started teaching but I love it. I love it for no other reason then the rhythm of the book. When you read it it is almost like it becomes a song. I have the attention of every child in my class when I read this book, which is hard to do. It teaches children to rhyme and start sounding words out.