Words of Inspiration and Motivation

“The most important thing is to enjoy children, to love them, be fair and just with them. If you do that, they’re pretty likely to come out all right.”

                                                                                                                                 Abigail Eliot, 1984

“One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.”

                                                                                                                                  Maria Montessori

“We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon a master.”

                                                                                                                                   Maria Montessori

“Every day I go to work I look forward to it because I know the services that I am providing to children is to their benefit.”

                                                                                                                   Raymond Hernandez MS Ed

                                                                                                   Executive Director

                                                                                                     School of Early Childhood Education

University of Southern California

“I absolutely fell in love with three and four-year-olds. It was like the most joyful experience where I felt everything in me was being called upon to teach.”
                                                                                                                             Louise Dermin-Sparks
                                                                                                                                  Professor Emeritus
                                                                                                                         Pacific Oaks College, CA

Surrounded by Love

My Childhood Family Web

The photos above are of people with whom I shared very special relationships as a child and who continue to influence my life to this day.

My mom-My mother was an older mom. I was born when she was 43. This never affected her ability to be an involved and active mom. In the photo above, she was actually riding a skateboard as I rode my bike. She always participated in activities that I enjoyed and was involved as a volunteer at my school. She always let me know how proud she was of my accomplishments and supported me in anything I tried. As an adult, I feel that I reflect her caring nature and positive attitude. She was fearless, faithful and family oriented. I hope to share these qualities with my sons as they grow.

My dad-My dad was one of the hardest working and most generous people I have ever known. He traveled for his business and was often only home on the weekends. I am sure that he was often exhausted, but he never showed it. He always had time for me and accepted me for who I was. I could talk to him about anything, never fearing judgment. I try to carry on his legacy by helping others whenever I can.

My oldest sister, Anne-Anne was a teenager when I was growing up. She had her own friends, interests, and activities, yet she always included me. I even remember tagging along on a few of her dates. I wanted so much to be all grown up like her, and she never made me feel too young to be around. She made me feel included and loved. As adults, we still have a very close bond. Her grandson is the same age as my twin sons. We enjoy sharing stories about them and watching them grow up together.

My godmother, Margaret-Margaret, or as I called her, Margie, passed away when I was young. It was the first time I had ever lost someone I loved. Whenever I was with her, I was the center of her world and felt enveloped in her love.She sparked and fueled creativity in me. We were always doing some kind of project or production. In the photo above, she is painting my face before a show that we were going to put on for my family. I credit her with my artistic ability and creativity. I hope to instill these qualities in the children I have relationships with.

Here is a note that she wrote to my mom about me. I will cherish it always!

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
                                                                                                                 -Benjamin Franklin

A Work of Art From the Heart

One of the students in my kindergarten class drew this for me when I was pregnant with my boys. I love the simplicity and detail that are both depicted in this drawing. I also love the sentiment. Even though my boys are two years old, this picture still hangs, prominently displayed, in my kitchen and always will!

This is one of my favorite children's books. I read it to my students at the beginning of each school year. It is a great story to use to open a discussion about feelings, especially about missing home during those first transitional weeks of school. We always do a follow-up activity and make hand prints to send home to each child's family. It is the beginning of a year long home-school connection which is an integral part of an effective and successful early childhood program. Parents are truly my partners in their children's education.

There is always something new to learn!

This is a photo of me with my son, James. You can see a bit of Peter's arm on the left. We were visiting a aviary in North Carolina this summer. It was the first time my boys had been so close to a bird, and they seem to have inherited their Mama's love of animals. It is magical to watch them discover the world around them. Everything is so new. They are learning new things everyday, and as I watch them learn, I learn more too! When they were about five months old, I posted the following thought on Facebook, and it is still true today. "As a teacher and now a mother, I always thought I would do the teaching. My boys have taught me so much in the first five months of their lives than I could ever have imagined and for that, I am forever grateful!"

Welcome

Welcome to my little corner of the world, my classroom. Yes, my classroom is actually on the corner of my school building. Magical things happen here while children play, interact and explore the world around them!