Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Dr. Virginia Buysse: I chose this quote from an article co-written by Dr. Virginia Buysse, because it is a clear reminder to me as to why collaboration between parents and early childhood professionals is essential to promoting high-quality child care services.

“Providing families with information and assistance in selecting high-quality child care services will increase public awareness of this issue, create a demand for more high-quality child care options, and strengthen the role of parents in informing public policy and improving practices”(Buysse, Grant & Skinner, 2001).

Buysse, V., Grant, S., & Skinner, D. (2001). Toward a Definition of Quality Inclusion: Perspectives of Parents and Practitioners. Journal of Early Intervention, 24(2), 146-153,155-161. Retrieved September 29, 2010, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 1144126011).

Dr. Lilian Katz: I chose the two quotes from the inspirational words she provided to a class of early childhood professional, because both are indicitive of the purpose of education and the ultimate reason we as early childhood professionals, should strive for high-quality learning experiences.

"I have tried to share my own views of what education is about. To me it is about developing certain dispositions in the young. These dispositions should include being reflective, inquisitive, inventive, resourceful, and full of wonder (wonder-full?), wonderment, and puzzlement. These dispositions should include the habits of searching for evidence; they should include also the dispositions to be tender, courageous, caring, compassionate. And they should include some humor as well! But I refer you to the definition of education provided by the British philosopher R. S. Peters:

'To be educated is not to have arrived at a destination; it is to travel with a different view. What is required is not feverish preparation for something that lies ahead, but to work with a precision, passion, and taste at worthwhile things that lie at hand (Peters, 1965, p. 110)'"(Rothenberg, 2002).

"I really believe that each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children. We must come to see that the well-being of our own individual children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people’s children. After all, when one of our own children needs life-saving surgery, someone else’s child will perform it; when one of our own children is threatened or harmed by violence on the streets, someone else’s child will commit it. The good life for our own children can only be secured if it is also secured for all other people’s children. But to worry about all other people’s children is not just a practical or strategic matter; it is a moral and ethical one: to strive for the well-being of all other people’s children is also right.

Remember that whoever might be president of our country in 40 or 50 years is likely to be in someone’s early childhood program today; and I hope she is having a good experience!"(Rothenberg, 2002).


Rothenberg, D. E. (2002). Issues in Early Childhood Education: Curriculum, Teacher Education, & Dissemination of Information.Proceedings of the Lilian Katz S . (D. Rothenberg, Ed.) Retrieved September 28, 2010, from Eric: http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED470870.pdf

Leticia Lara LCSW, Regional Manager of Out Reach and Professional Development for Zero to Three: I chose her statement from the multimedia interview,The Passion for Early Childhood, because it reflects my beliefs about providing support for parents.

“Parent needs support, and with resources and access to resources, parents can thrive” (Walden University, 2010).

Mr. Raymond Hernandez, Executive Director of the School of ECE at the University of Southern California: I chose this statement, as it's simple words send a powerful message about why we do what we do.

“It’s not for us, it’s for them (Walden University, 2010).

Walden University (Producer). (2010). The Passion for Early Childhood (Multimedia Presentation) . Retrieved September 15, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4465394&Survey=1&47=4834615&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Personal Childhood Web

As instructed in the assignment, I created a "space" for my web, but could not figure out how to allow comments, so I also created a new blog post and have attached a picture of my web. My childhood was filled with an extended supportive family, including two sets of parents and five siblings. In addition, we had strong ties with our church, community, and school activities. My parents as a whole wanted their children to become well-rounded individuals, who were successful and active participants in their community. Family, religion, environmental awareness, and humanity, were the foundation of our relationships. Because I had so many influential people in my childhood, I chose just three for my Personal Childhood Web, my mother, my stepfather, and my grandfather. I am eternally grateful for the support and love I received, and contribute my adulthood success to their positive influence on my life.

Favorite Children's Books

I have spent 23 years working with young children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years and I can honestly say, I enjoyed working with 2 year olds the most. I find that their exuberance once engaged in something, is amazing. For that reason, I have two favorite children’s books. The first is Ms Wishy Washy’s Farm, by Joy Cowley, and the second is Go Away Big Green Monster, by Edward R Emberley. Both books provide opportunities for the children to repeat parts of the book, which engages them in the story. In addition, Go Away Big Green Monster gives children a sense of empowerment as they take control of sending the big green monster away

What Inspired and Motivated me into the Field of Early Childhood

A picture of my daughter at birth, my granddaughter at birth, and a picture of them together.

I have always had the desire to work with children, or at least since kindergarten, as my mom has a book I written and plotted out my future to, “…be a teacher.” However, it was the birth of my daughter Ashley, which ignited my passion, when I went in search of childcare for her so that I could complete my student teaching. I immediately realized that quality care was not the norm, at least in that area, and that I as a parent, had a part in making that change. Now, as I have watched my daughter become a mother who is filled with question after question about how to best care for her daughter, I realized that she and parents like her are the reason I have such a strong desire to teach adults in the early childhood field.

A favorite quote about learning.

"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” Chinese Proverb



The Chinese Proverb listed above is a direct reflection of my philosophy on how children learn. Developmentally appropriate practice has proven that children learn best when learning is based on a hands-on approach that is centered on their individual interests and needs. Effective learning occurs when teachers support learning by providing teacher directed learning experiences with many opportunities for children to practice introduced skills at a variety of challenge levels, during self-initiated activities.

A little About Me

On the personal side my husband and I have 3 beautiful daughters, the older two are turning 20 in the next month and are both in college, and the youngest is 17 ½. Thursday we were blessed with our first grandchild, a very healthy 8 lb 7oz baby girl and I am so proud of my daughter and son in law. I have a variety of interest and hobbies, none of which I get to experience often, due to time constraints. I enjoy sewing and quilting, reading, and puzzles, but most of all; I enjoy mowing all my acres in nice and neat straight lines, and cleaning my house. Odd I know, but I find both very relaxing and therapeutic.

Professionally, I currently work for the Department of Defense, as a Child Development Specialist, Palace Acquire Program Management Intern. The position took me from my family in Missouri, to Tampa Florida. For the first time in 42 years of life, I am living alone, and to be honest, I am not fond of it! The program requires that I learn the positions of Training and Curriculum Specialist, Center Director, and Family Child Care Coordinator, all in the next year. The program is fast paced and intense and I am hoping that combined with completing my MSECS, I will not have any time to miss my husband and daughters. I am a strong believer in the power of advocacy and support Autism Awareness, Special Olympics, and March for Babies.

I have been in the early education field for 23 years. My personal definition or philosophy of education is as follows: Education is the process of cultivating the will and desire to learn, by providing age appropriate, developmentally stimulating activities and experiences, in a safe and secure environment that unlock the ability to think and reason. Education should increase potential and prepare the brain for sustaining current information and expanding on it to obtain future knowledge. Ensuring that children are safe, healthy, and receive proper nutrition, is fundamental in providing quality early education experiences and the foundation of their success.

Creating my blog

I am not familiar with blogging, and have only attempted it one other time, for another Walden class. I hope I have created this correctly.