Week 4-Quotes

"The statement is saying that there is an appropriate expectation against which you can compare kids' development so you can determine whether they're making good progress. There is also a huge range of individual variation that is absolutely normal"-Susan Bredekamp
 Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff. (August, 1998). ECT interview: Sue Bredekamp & Susan Neuman on learning to read. Early Childhood Today. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/ect-interview-sue-bredekamp-susan-neuman-learning-read

I like this quote because many times we forget that each child is an individual and learns differently and in their own time. If a child is not learning a concept, as teachers we should not blame the child, but change the way we are teaching.

Edward Zigler (2007) stated “Here's the strategy that I have used. It's taken me decades to learn it, and it has worked: In the good years, work very hard to win everything that's possibly winnable. In the bad years, work just as hard to keep your losses to a minimum. There are good times, and there are bad times. But you have to stay in the game.” 

Perkins-Gough, Deborah. (October, 2007). Giving intervention a Head Start: A conversation

with Edward Zigler. Educational Leadership, 65, 8-14.

This is a good philosophy for life. There will be rough times and there will be good times. Sometimes you will be struggling just to keep going, but the important thing to remember is to not give up.

In the "The Passion for Early Childhood", Raymond Hernandez MS Ed stated that "For me that one little sparkle will make a difference for me throughout the whole day." Some times we can become so caught up in following lesson plans specifically or focus on all the paperwork that needs done that we can miss the little moments. The moment when a child finally figures out a concept and their whole face lights up with pride or when children build a tower working together sharing and communicating; these moments are why we are in the classroom. Seeing these small victories can help you remember why our jobs are so important and make dealing with all the craziness that comes with the field a little easier.

Week 3-More of my family

 This is a picture of my family when my mom finished her chemo for breast cancer. Unfortunately my husband and I couldn't make it so we took a picture in our shirts and they showed it to my mom that day. I chose these two pictures because I want to show how close my family is even though I now live states away. We still make sure to do things as a family as much as we can.

Week 3-Personal childhood web 2

This is my best friend Carrie from high school. We have been friends since we were two years old and started in preschool together. We have been through so much together and even though we live states apart know that we can call each other for help. I am proud to brag that I did set her up with her husband. The other picture is my grandparents. They both have had so much influence on me. When I was a kid they would take us on trips in their RV. Those are memories that I will carry with me forever. Even now they still call to check on me. My grandma likes to tell everyone that her granddaughter will drive cross country all be herself. She is so proud of my independence.

Week 3-Personal Childhood Web

These are the five people who had such an impact on me growing up. My mom, dad, sister Erin, brother Colby, brother Colby, and sister Jessica. My mom is the one who taught me to be kind and thoughtful to everyone. She taught me to be slow to anger. She is the one I called with questions about work and she is the bug reason I decided to get my Master's. Even though she passed away recently I know she is watching and is proud of me. My dad is the one who taught me to help everyone. He showed us through his actions what a difference just holding the door for someone can do. Even now I can hear my dad's voice in my head when making decisions and if I see someone in trouble. With my siblings, I am definitely the stereotypical "baby of the family". They each helped raise me and I am a little bit like each of them. My sisters are my best friends, now. We had to share a room growing up so there were plenty of fights, but now I can always call them when I need help. My brothers were there to pick on me, but also to protect me. They lived by the motto that nobody messed with their sister, but them. I talk to each of my family members at least once a week and sometimes more. They are the ones who help guide me and encourage me.

Family Vacation to Boston

My parents taking me to the airport

Week 2-Favorite Book

This is my favorite children's book. My mom read this to me all the time and now I love to read this to my daughter. It has such a great theme that no matter what kind of messes or mistakes we make we will always be loved.

Week 2-Favorite Quote

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

I love this quote because so many times people focus on what children need to know before kindergarten and then to pass standardized tests. They forget to let children be kids and enjoy those little moments when they learn something new or experience something for the first time. 

I have never made a blog before so I am kind of excited working on this project. I just wanted to share a picture of my family.