Quotes about Education

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."
                                                                                                          Sandy Escobido-Walden Student

"Children are still trying to figure out their identity.  They are still being bombarded with positive and negative messages."                                                                                      Louise Derman-Sparks-Walden Student

"The single greatest effect on student achievement is not race, it is not poverty — it is the effectiveness of the teacher.”                                                          Harry Wong- Author, Speaker, Former HS Science Teacher

“In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.”                                                        Harry Wong- Author, Speaker, Former HS Science Teacher

Personal Childhood Web

I have chosen five people that nurtured me when I was a child and have continued to influence me today.

My Mom was always there for me.  She worked full time, but she always took her lunch break when school let out just so she could pick me up.  She always spent her bonus checks on buying me new clothes and made sure I had everything a little girl could ask for.  To this day, my mom still drops everything if I need help with my kids or anything else.  She has inspired me to be a better Mom.

My Dad was always a workaholic when I was a child.  He always encouraged me to do better than him.  He wanted me to go to college one day and be the first person in our family to graduate, and I did.  I remember spending a lot of Father/Daughter days.  I really enjoyed that, and I am glad that I was able to have a Father figure in my life.  I have picked up his workaholic habit, but I have been able to balance family and work out.  He has inspired me to follow my heart and reach for the sky.

Elaine was my babysitter growing up.  I remember looking forward to spending every summer with her while my parents worked.  We did something every day including feeding the ducks, swimming, or going to the movies.  She had about 10 kids that she regularly babysat.  When I look back at everything we did, I think about how much planning she did.  She loved being around children.  She has since retired, but her legacy still continues with all the children she worked with. 

Vanessa was my best friend growing up.  We spent every day together.  We went to school together, and then we played together in the afternoon.  She was my friend who knew me inside and out.  We use to play “school” and “house.”  We are still friends today and both teachers. 

Mrs. Crum was my first grade teacher.  I had a horrible Kindergarten experience.  It was probably because I got in trouble often in Kindergarten.  Mrs. Crum helped me change my mind about education.  When I was in her class, I began to love Math, Reading, and Writing.  She was a very patient teacher who loved teaching.  She inspired me to become a teacher.

A Little Bit About My Passion For Early Childhood Education

My Favorite Quote: 

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." Ghandi

Children are our future.  Some research suggests that a child's personality is fully developed by first grade.  We as Early Childhood Professionals have the opportunity to mold  future leaders everyday!  Ghandi is right in that everything does begin with them. 

My Favorite Children's Book: 

Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See By Eric Carle is my favorite children’s book.  My son can’t read yet, but he sits down and acts like it when he has this book in his hands.  I have seen the same thing happen with other children while student teaching with the same book.  This book is an awesome book for literally everyone!  It is my favorite book because it is so simple, yet it reaches the heart of nearly all children.

My Favorite Artwork:

My favorite piece of artwork is my son's finger-painting and water coloring.  I have no idea what they are suppose to be and was unable to upload it.  I always hang these pictures up on my refrigerator.  He loves to go back and look at them during the day.  It makes him feel very special that everyone in the house gets to see his magnificent work even if he is the only one who knows what it is!  My mentor teacher told me that she believes that we need to incorporate Art everyday in the classroom because we may never know who will be the next Picasso.  Also, we do not know how many hands on learners we really have at this age!

The Story of One Student:

While I was student teaching Pre-K last year, I met a student named Ashton.  He has severe Autism and ADHD.  He also had speech problems and I’m sure more will be discovered later.  He absolutely loved school and this is what drew me to him in the first place.  He had a hard time staying focused in class, but he tried real hard.  I also tried real hard to meet his needs on a daily basis because that is how often they changed.  He has problems at home, and school was his safe haven.  I loved spending seven hours a day with him because I knew I was making a difference somehow.  I can’t wait to have my own classroom because I know over the years I will encounter more “Ashton’s.”  My heart is eager to share my passion for education especially with students like Ashton.  This little child opened up my eyes a little more and helped me become a better teacher.