Note of Appreciation and Gratitude

Dear Friends,
I didn't have the time in my busy schedule to post a comment on every one's blogs, but I'm hoping that you will all receive this message.  I want to say a sincere and heartfelt "Thank You" for all of the ways that you have helped me to be successful in this program.  You have all given such great advice and taken the time to respond to me and I truly appreciate it.  It is so refreshing to come to know other people who love and care for children as much as I do.  Sometimes this world looks very dark but you are all the light that breaks through that darkness and I am grateful for each one of you.  May the experience you have had in this class take you to new understandings of the field of early childhood education.  Thanks to all of you I am experiencing the field like I never have before.  Best of luck in your future classes(hopefully we'll be in some together).  I know that you will all do wonderfully.  I pray God will bless your lives the way he has blessed mine with getting to know all of you.  Merry Christmas and have a Happy and fulfilling New Year!

Codes of Ethics

NAEYC Ideals/ DEC code of Ethics

I 1.1 – To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training (NAEYC 2005, April).

·         We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestions of others (The Division for Early Childhood., 2000, August)

Significance to Me:

These statements made in these codes of ethics are very important to me as I am just entering my master’s degree program in Early Childhood Studies.  I chose this field because I believe in the importance of it.  I believe in the importance of continuing education as well and that is why I have gone back to school.  I think when we keep learning, we are better equipped to help children and families not just academically, but personally as well.  We not only take ourselves to a higher level, but we expand the knowledge and experiences of those children and families that we interact with.

        

I 1.3 - To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities and potential or each child (NAEYC 2005, April).

·         We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and cultures (The Division for Early Childhood., 2000, August).

Significance to Me:

These statements I think describe me very well because I feel I do this for the students that I teach.  The reason that I became a teacher was to make a difference in the lives of children.  I think that begins when we respect children and see them for the person they could become and not limit our views to the student they are when we first meet them.  I think that we should never underestimate a child or label them, but instead help them reach the highest goal they can with the abilities that they have.  We can achieve this by involving their families and respecting where they come from and the beliefs and values that they bring with them into our classrooms.

I 1.9 -  To advocate for and ensure that all children including those with special needs have access to the support services needed to be successful (NAEYC 2005, April).

·         We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children’s families and enhance their quality of lives (The Division for Early Childhood., 2000, August).

Significance to Me:

I can say that up to a year and a half ago, this statement probably wouldn’t have had as great a significance to me as it does today.  When my last child was born, he was born with a genetic condition that has played a part in his development.  So far he has met all of his developmental milestones except for growth but cognitively he is right where he should be.  They did tell us when he was diagnosed that there was the possibility that he could have learning disabilities.  I think I have always believed that ALL children should have the best services that they can for success, but I have become an even bigger advocate now that ALL truly means ALL.  Children with special needs should not be treated any differently than other children when it comes to access for services and all families should be shown or given the knowledge of what services are available.  I can say that I was truly ignorant of what is actually out there and available to people until my son needed these services.  I have made it my goal to make sure ALL families have access to any and all services that will help their children succeed in life.

References:
 NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.dec-sped.org/

Early Childhood Resources

I posted my resources on the side of my main page under my profile because I thought we were supposed to create a section on the blog for them so that they would stay there.  I then realized that my blog wasn't showing up on the blog board, so I'm putting this post on so that you will know where to find my resources.  Thanks.

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

~Dr. Seuss

"Attachment to a baby is a long-term process, not a single, magical moment.  The opportunity for bonding at birth may be compared to falling in love- staying in love takes longer and demands more work."
                                                 ~T. Berry Brazelton

"Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but because they care so deeply."

                                                                                        ~T. Berry Brazelton

"We are decision makers.  As adults caring for children, it is our responsibility to seek out and intentionally plan the best opportunities for children that support their over-all well being and healthy development."

                                                  ~ Susan Bredekamp

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

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

~Sandy Escobido(Video - The Passion for Early Childhood)

"I'm not here to save the world, I'm here just to make a difference in the community that I'm working.  Making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child be able to be successful in the classroom."   ~ Raymond Hernandez (Video - The Passion for Early Childhood)

"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt

Personal Chidhood Web

My parents, sister, and I before National Honor Society Ceremony years ago

Gram and I

My Grampy

Sisterly Love

Personal Childhood Web

My Mom The greatest words I can use to describe my mom are unconditional love. I have known all of my life that my mom will love me no matter what. She taught me about self-sacrifice from a very young age. She always gave to me and my siblings even if it meant that she would have to forego something that she really wanted. My mom was and still is always there for the special moments in my life. She supports me in all that I have done and continue to do. She was always ready with advice to give but didn’t push me into making decisions, she let me make them for myself but was there to help me up when I would stumble from the decisions that I would make. My mom gave me a sense of purpose in my life and taught me that I should always stand up for myself. She is a very giving person, so she taught me about giving to others before even thinking of myself which is a trait that I am now trying to pass on to my own children. I have had many special times with my mom but one of the most special times I have had with her was recently when my uncle (my dad’s brother) passed away. I was very close to him and so I tried to be there for my aunt to help get her through the difficult moments. Her own daughter was not there for her during this time and she said that my sisters and I were more like her daughters than her own daughter was. My mom came to me after the funeral and told me how proud she was of me for being there and taking care of my aunt. I told her that was because of the way I was raised. My mom’s impact in my life continues today in the way I am trying to raise my own children. She raised me to be respectful, loving, patient, and kind. She taught me that children are a gift and should always feel important especially to their parents. She taught me how to give to others even if it means making a sacrifice in my own life. I try to live my life today so that my mom can look at every aspect of it with pride for the daughter that she raised.

My Dad My dad passed away 7 years ago but up to the day that he died, he was a very strong influence in my life and he continues to be to this day. My dad was a quiet man, who didn’t have a lot to say but when he spoke, what he said had a lot of meaning. He was a very strong man who went to work each day to provide for our family. My dad went to work for long hours but never complained about what he did or the sacrifices he made for us. He taught me that taking care of your family is the most important thing and he did that without faltering. My dad was a man of few words, but he made me feel special by always being there for me and sharing in all of my accomplishments. I always knew he was proud of me not by him telling me so, but by him being there to show his pride. He would tell others about his daughters and they would tell me how proud he was of all of us. The most special moment I had with my dad was dancing with him at my wedding. We danced to the song “Daddy’s Hands” and I remember that he talked to me more during this dance, than he had ever talked to me before. The words to that song say “Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle, but I’ve come to understand, there was always love in daddy’s hands.” My dad was firm when he had to be, but he was also gentle with me and I always knew that he loved me. His legacy lives on in me today because he taught me that words aren’t always needed to tell someone how much we care. He taught me that actions speak volumes more than words and I try to be a living example to the values and lessons that my father taught me.

My Gram My grandma, or as I call her “gram”, is the matriarch of our family. She is the glue that binds us all together. Her house is my safe haven and it always has been. My father’s parents passed away before I really had a chance to know or remember them so I have only really known my mother’s parents. We moved into the house beside them when I was five years old. I can’t remember a time in my life without my grandma. She has always been there for me as a place I could turn to when I felt lost or alone. She had those open arms to encircle me and make me feel completely loved. When my parents were upset with me or had disciplined me in some way, I could always run to my grandma and she would hug and comfort me and then talk to my parents about the way they had treated me. My grandma is 86 years old now and just as loving and caring as she ever was. I try to make time to see her every week and I cherish every moment that I get. She is a wise woman and has taught me a lot about life and love. My grandparents were married for 49 years before my grandpa passed away and they displayed a love that I grew up knowing I wanted to have in my own life. My grandma tells me all the time that my husband reminds her of my grandpa. I take comfort in that knowing the love that they shared is also the love that I have found. In my life today my grandma still influences me in the way that she lives. She is a very strong woman who is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes in. She has taught me that family is extremely important and to stand by your family no matter what. She treats my children the same way that she always treated me and I know that she would never let any kind of harm ever come to any of us. We have a special song that we share and I tell her all the time that I can’t help but think of her and her love when I hear it. The song is “A Picture of Me Without You” and it says “have you watched as the heart of a child breaks in two? Then you’ve seen a picture of me without you”. I think that is exactly how I will feel when my gram is no longer with me, so I will treasure each moment I get to spend with her and carry on her legacy by loving with my whole heart just like she always has!





My Grandpa My grandpa (grandpy) passed away when I was 13 years old but his memory lives on in my heart as if he were still here with me. It is often times I think of my actions and wonder if my grandpa would be proud. My grandpa showed me he loved me in many ways. He spent time playing with us and teaching us things. He grew a garden and let us help him in planting and harvesting what he planted. He took the time to teach us the steps that he used in planting and I cherish the memories I have of being in the garden with him. One very special memory I have of my grandpa is when he picked a squash that he had grown one time and he asked me to give it to my mom. Well instead, my sister and I decided to play catch with it. We weren’t so good at it, and we dropped the squash and it broke. My grandpa was very upset with us and yelled at me for this. I loved and respected my grandpa so very much and for him to yell at me was like the end of the world. I remember going in my house and just sobbing because I had disappointed him. He came over a few minutes later and apologized to me and told me that he loved me and was sorry that he had hurt my feelings. I told him that I was sorry that I had broken the squash and would listen to him next time. I actually wrote a children’s book when I was in college about this incident. I titled it, TheAccident. The last page of the book (illustrated by my husband) looks like this: . In that moment, my grandfather taught me that forgiveness is an important aspect of loving someone. My grandpa died of cancer in 1991 and I was at the hospital with him many times as he was suffering. On the last day that I saw him as I was saying goodbye, he said to me, “Be good.” I have tried to live up to this throughout my life. I really want to make my grandpa proud of me and carry on the love that he showed me all of the days that I knew him. He taught me that love is so important to show people and we can show it in many ways. I am passing this legacy on to my children through the memories I have of him and all that he taught me in my life.



My Sisters



When thinking of adding a fifth person to this blog, I couldn’t pick just one of my sisters. I have three sisters. My oldest sister is five years older than me. My next sister is two years older than me and my last sister as you can tell is my twin. I share a special bond with all of them and we are very close. My oldest sister has always been like a second mother to me. She has loved and supported me from the time I can remember. She was always the one telling me that I could do anything I wanted to do in life and it was because of her pushing me in school that I went on to college and furthered my education. She always showed how proud she is of me and told me so as well. She has always tried to provide for us and helped my parents give us things that they couldn’t give us on their own. She always looked out for my best interests and showed me what it means to have a friend for a sister. My next oldest sister also has taken care of me and still does. When she knows that I need something she is the first one there to provide it for me and my family. When we were young, we did a lot of things together and had a lot of laughs. She has always been very caring and nurturing and today she is a nurse which isn’t surprising because she was born to help people. My final sister is the best friend I have ever had. We are identical twins, so we did everything together when we were young. We were inseparable. We cared and looked out for each other always. We would never let anything bad happen to the other one and to this day we support each other in any way that we can. She has taught me that love is being selfless and giving everything that you have to make others happy. She is a strong person who always shows her love to those around her by giving and caring. Today she lives 5 hours away from me and although we don’t talk as much as we used to, our bond has not been broken. When we are together it is like it has always been. She takes care of me, and loves me for who I am no matter my flaws. I grew up in a very loving home surrounded by 3 sisters who loved, supported, and nurtured me throughout my whole life. It is because of them that I know how to love so completely and how to show that love to my husband, my children, and all of the people in my life.

I got married 12 years ago to a wonderful man.  Together we became Christians and had 3 wonderful children.  About a year and a half ago, we got another BIG surprise when we found out we were going to have our fourth child.  I have always felt that children are a blessing, but I didn't want to have another child because we were done(our youngest son was turning 5 and about to go to kindergarten).  About 8wks into the pregnancy, I almost miscarried and was put on bedrest for a week.  It was during that time that I asked for forgiveness for ever thinking that I wouldn't want this child, what a blessing it was going to be.  It was then that we decided to name the baby Jadon(a biblical name that means "Thankful" because that is what I was).  We didn't want to know the sex of the baby and did not find out - it would be Jadon either way.  Around the time that I was four months pregnant I had the testing done for Downs Syndrome.  The results came back that our baby could have a very serious genetic condition that was life threatening.  I had to have an amniocentesis and then wait 10 days for the results.  So we prayed and we waited. When the results came in, it turned out that our baby did not have any chromosomal abnormalities.  I went through the rest of my pregnancy still seeing a specialist for extra fluid and then they thought the baby had a gap in its skull.  By the end of my pregnancy, the specialist felt that everything would be fine and I had my fourth c-section on July 23, 2010.  When Jadon(our beautiful baby boy) was born, he was bloated with fluid and was having a hard time breathing.  They ended up life flighting him to a larger hospital where he spent the first 3 1/2 days without me(they would not release me from the hospital for other reasons).  It was so hard being away from him(my husband was with him) but I knew God was there beside him the whole time.  We found out several weeks later that Jadon was born with a genetic condition called Noonan's Syndrome.  He has had several health problems since that time and has had to have surgery.  Through all of it, Jadon has been the happiest baby, always smiling and putting smiles on the faces of all those he comes into contact with.  He has truly touched my life in ways that are indescribable.  When I look into his little eyes, it's like I'm looking into the face of an angel.  God knew what he was doing when he gave us Jadon and through him I get to experience God's love every day.  Jadon joined two sisters and one brother who couldn't love or care for him more.  He has truly changed all of our lives and I have a feeling he's not done changing lives yet!

~Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.  Psalm 127:3

Warm Welcoming to All

Hello,
Welcome to my first ever blog! I have been married for 12 years to a wonderful man and I am a very proud mother of four beautiful children.  I have two girls and two boys ages ranging from 11yrs to 15mths.  I am also a full-time second grade teacher.  I love both of these jobs very much(being a mother and an educator).  I got inspiration to become a teacher when I was in third grade and I had a teacher who was very passionate about her job and loved teaching.  She made me want to become someone who could touch others' lives through teaching.  I spent several years after gaining my bachelor's degree substitute teaching and working in the schools.  I also took some time to raise three of my four children.  I have had the opportunity to care for small children in my home while being there for my own children.  I gained a full-time teaching position 4 yrs ago and it has been great.  In my very busy life I enjoy spending time with God and my family.  I am a very devout Christian woman and I believe that God has led me down every path I have taken for one reason or another.  My life is a great blessing and I'm thankful for the chance to get to learn from some other professionals.   I'm not sure that I am doing any of this correctly, but I am trying to follow all of the guidelines established for us.  I found this first week of class very interesting, edcuational, and a bit challenging at times.  I hope you all are doing well and adjusting and if I can help in any way, just drop me a line.