Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Marian Wright Edelman- Founder and President of Children's Defense Fund

" Every 36 seconds a child is neglected or abused, every 41 seconds a baby is born into poverty, every 59 seconds a baby is born without health insurance, every minute a baby is born to a teenage mother, every 3 hours a child is killed by gunfire." 

The Children's Defense Fund goal is to "renovate the whole house, not just a few rooms of it."

Eunice Kennedy Shriver- Founder of Special Olympics

"People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are the most underserved population today. While our Members of Congress are faced with difficult decisions regarding appropriations, it is critical they understand that Special Olympics and Best Buddies are the sole sources of vital health screenings, inclusive school programs and job placement for this population ... Without federal seed money, more than 500,000 Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. will be without services they depend on to battle the centuries of neglect in the medical field as well as the silent epidemic of discrimination found on school yards and playing fields across our country."

"The right to study in any school? You have earned it. The right to hold a job? You have earned it. The right to be anyone's neighbor? You have earned it." 

Louise Derman-Sparks- Professor Emeritus Pacific Oaks College, CA

"So the passion I had when I started is, just as great as now as it ever was, maybe greater, because I've seen the wonderful impact that using what I call an anti-bias approach has not just on the children, but on the teachers, who have to kind of figure out who they are and understand themselves and uncover their own discomforts and misinformation. So i see adults finding their voice as a result of doing this work. It's like they reclaim and heal things that they- happened to them in their childhood that maybe no one had helped them work with when they were younger. "  

Sandy Escobido- Deputy Feld Director, Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy, California Community Foundation  

"So when I go to these meetings and actually see parents learning to speak to policymakers, learning how to write letters, learning how to tell their story and share their voice thats what keeps me motivated, regardless of all the challenges going on."

Personal Childhood Web

My MOM

My mother has always had the greatest impact on my life. She has always been there for me, through thick or thin. I view my mother as a strong, independent, and honest woman. She has proved to me at an early age that no matter what struggles one faces, as long as you have your family, you'll make it through. My mom always made it a point to ask me how my day was, what I did in school or how I was feeling. Asking me those questions made me feel important to her and that she actually cared what was going on in my life. My parents divorced when I was 4. Growing up, it was my mother, my older sister Erin and myself. Being a single mom can be a hard job, and my mom made it seem easy. She worked very hard and did what she could so that my sister and I could still enjoy growing up. I would see my father over the summers, but most of my time was spent with my mom. What I took from my parents divorce was that not every relationship works out in the end and sometimes its for the best. I feel my parents divorce brought my mom, sister and myself closer. We have a special bond and no one can break that. My mom continues to amaze me everyday. About two years ago we found out that my mother had breast cancer. That was the most unexpected and painful news I have ever received. Luckily she was able to catch the cancer in time and began receiving treatment. During her treatment she seemed stronger than ever. She made sure that my sisters and I were still being taking care of, in a time where she needed more of the care. My mom is constantly putting our needs before hers and if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have the life I do now. I find that even at my age now, when Im sick or feeling down, I would rather be around my mom than anyone else because I just seem to feel better when she takes care of me.

My POP-POP

My pop-pop is my moms father. My pop has impacted my life in many ways. Going back to my parents divorce my pop-pop and nana were very helpful to my family. My grandparents basement had extra bedrooms, so they let us move in with them in order to help my mom out. My pop would pick my sister and I up from school and watch us till our mom got home from work. I loved being around my pop, he was always so much fun. He worked as an appliance mechanic and would always bring home the boxes from the larger appliance for us to create houses or spaceships out of. I feel living with my pop created a special bond between us. My grandparents have 11 children and 26 grandchildren. My pop and nana make it a point to spend time with each of their grandchildren and make you feel special. He never made you feel as if you were just another child in the room. He still makes me feel that way today. At 82 years old, my pop-pop is still on the go and works on small appliances when he can. He has proved to me you don't have to have it all to be happy. Your family is what creates your happiness. 

My SISTER

My sister Erin is 4 years older than me. She has always been my second mom. Growing up we would have our sisterly moments of getting along one minute and than fighting the next. As I got older we became closer and can't be thankful enough for having her as my older sister. We still have our differences but not nearly as much. Erin has always been there to listen to me whether it be to whine, cry, and be happy about something. She has had a huge impact on my life because even at a young age she would step up and play the mother role in order to take care of me when my mom was not around. I remember when my sister had told me she had plans to move to florida with her boyfriend. I was so upset because I was unsure how I was going to be able to get through not seeing her everyday. Now here I am, a few years later, living 6 hours away from her. We try our best to talk to each other everyday either by email, phone or text. My sister and I have an indescribable bond that can not be brokend. I love my sister more than I can even begin to explain. A favorite memory I have with my sister is the day I graduated college. Having my sister there to watch me walk across the stage and receive my diploma was very important to me. Seeing how happy she was for me to finally reach my goal meant a great deal to me. Erin was always vey supportive of me during my undergrad, even though there were times where I know I let my family down. I only wish everyone could have an older sister to look after them like I do. 

My DAD

My dad has impacted my life in many ways and very positively. My dad came into my life when I was around 6. He dated my mom for a few years before they got married. He immediately took over the father role for my sister and I. Many people would not want to get involved with someone who already has children and I am thankful he was willing to. He married my mom when I was 8 and from that point on my life would be changed forever. He has always been the only father figure I've had. My dad was willing to bring into his life two children who were not his and treat them as if they were his daughters since day one. I am very thankful for him coming into my life and always being there for me. My father is very creative and artistic. One memory I have of him was when I made my first communion. I remember that morning before leaving for the church he handed me my flower head piece to wear. I thought this was the greatest thing in the world. My dad had worked hard a few days prior and had use real flowers to create the head piece for me. I remember showing up and having all of my family and girls in my grade talking about how beautiful it was. My parents took on a family vacation every year and I loved it. When we would go on vacation, my dad would make it a point to have fun but also to include some sort of history into our trip. It sounded boring at the time, but looking back it was worth every minute. I feel my dad came into my life for a reason and I am thankful for everything he has done and still does for me today. 

Can you believe its week 3 already!!!

So as I enter the third week of my masters journey, I am happy with the decision I made to take classes through Walden. I am learning a great deal about myself, which I didn't think I would be able to do through an online class. My professors comments are really helping me out and making me feel that I made the right choice to go with early childhood. One thing i really enjoy about this course, is that the last three weeks have been all about ourselves. This is giving our colleagues a little glimpse at our lives and childhood. Taking an online class can be hard to know each other and I feel this blog is a great way to stay connected and express ourselves.

imagination at its finest

Here is a photo of my cousin Danielle and I probably around age 3 or 4. When we were younger our favorite thing to do when we visited our grandparents was to immediately go to the kitchen cabinets and grab the pots and pans. We would play in the kitchen for hours making up songs and using our imagination to make up games involving the pots and pans. Every now and again I like to look back at photos from my childhood. The photos remind me of a much simpler time and a time where responsibilities didn't exist. 

A children's book which I love is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I have loved this book for as long as I can remember. I feel this book helps teach children about the positive role imagination has in your childhood. The book is about a young boy named Harold who decides to go off on a journey of his own. He brings along with him a purple crayon in which he uses to create certain items along the way. One part of the book I enjoy is "but he didn't seem to getting anywhere on the long straight path So he left the path for a short cut across a field and the moon went with him." I like this part because I interpret it as saying it is okay to not always follow the mapped out life plan you have. Sometimes you face new adventures when you take the short cut. You may never know what is waiting for you around the corner until you decide to make the turn.  Life is never what you expect it to be. 

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." Tom Stoppard. I chose this quote because I feel it is important to remember your childhood memories because those moments helped shape who you are today. I often find myself being a "kid" from time to time. I think thats why I enjoy teaching so much. Im 25 years old and sometimes I would rather watch children's television shows and movies rather than shows for older people. I watch these shows because I enjoy them, they make me feel like a kid again and I feel they help me connect better with children on a level they understand.  

Have a good feeling about this!!!

As a new week has begun, I have a lot to be thankful for. On Friday 2/25 while enjoying the warm Miami weather, I received a phone call that my cousin passed away that morning. I was in complete shock because his death was unexpected and no one wants to get that phone call. Once I returned back to New York, I knew the next couple of days were going to very tough on me. To make this even harder I knew I was starting my first day of graduate class that Monday. I emailed the professor of my class to let her know I would not be ready to start the class that day because I was going to be busy with my family. My professor was very understanding, and that was proof to me that I had chosen the right university.  My cousins passing was very upsetting to me but it was also an eye opener. I realized that you never really know when you're life is going to end  so you should never take anything for granted. I started to look back and see that there were many times in my life that I just sat back and waited for things to come me. I am now realizing that if I want to get things done I need to take the first step and go after it. Knowing I have 5 years to earn my masters from the year I graduated, I thought it would be best for me to take a year off and just work and go from there. Although I am happy with the choice I made because it has led me to meet some great people in my life, I do wish I had just continued my journey right after graduation. I am very glad I have decided to attend Walden to complete my journey and feel that I am finally ready for whatever the world throws my way.  I am no longer going to sit back and wait.

My first Blog

This is my first time setting up a blog and hope I have set everything up correctly. I have just begun my Masters degree journey and very happy about it. I am a little nervous about this journey but I know with the help from my family and classmates I will do just fine. I love working with young children which led me to my decision to get my masters in early childhood education. I am looking forward to learning about myself through this journey as well as how children think, learn and grow daily.