Inspirational Quotes

Major Contributors of Head Start and Child Care

"Only when professionals understand culturally sensitive care and are in close communication with families, can they understand how to work towards positive outcomes for children's identity, sense of belonging, and cultured competence"

                               -Janet Gonzales-Mena M.A.-

"Once we considered education a public expense; we know now that it is a public investment"

                               - Lyndon B. Johnson-

The Passion for Early Childhood: Five Professionals

"I have a passion to create a just and safe world for children"

                                 - Lousie Derman-Sparks-

"We as professionals in the Early Childhood field have the opportunity to shape a child's life"

                                  - Sandy Escobida-

"There is more to life than whats in a child's neighborhood"

                                   - Raymond Hernandez MS. ED-

"It's not all about you; you have to let your ego go and think what is best for the child"

                                   - Renatta M. Cooper-

"My passion is to bring ideas and passion into policy and influence research"

                                    - Leticia Lara LCSW-

Additional Quotes

"All human beings are born with unique gifts; the healthy functioning of our community depends on its capacity to develop each gift"

-Peter Senge-

 "Its not who you attend school with but who controls the school you attend"

-Nick Gioranne-

"Learning is a matter of intensity not elapsed time"

-Tom Peters-

"What we want to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child"

-G B Shaw-

Personal Childhood Web

Five individuals who nurtured and cared for me as a child:

1. ED (my father)
2. CAROLYN (my mother)
3. I'DA (my older sister)
4. MARY (my paternal grandmother)
5. JAMES (my paternal grandfather)

Description of each individual:

1. My father Ed is hardworking and family orientated. He influenced my life as child by instilling his values of education upon me. My father did everything in his power to provide me with the best elementary, high school, and college education. My father nurtured me by allowing me to have open communication with him whenever I needed to seek advice and guidance. My father referred to his advice as "food for thought", as the "food" was the wisdom that my father gave for my"thoughts" which was my concerns. My father's influence continues to impact my present life through the values I have for myself and the values I plan to instill upon my son. I highly value education and will instill  this upon my son throughout his life.
2. My mother Carolyn is caring and giving. She influenced my life as a child by teaching me the importance of self maintenance and the duties of motherhood. My mother made sure I well groomed, had clean clothes and shoes, and received 3 meals per day. My mother nurtured me by providing me with structured home and family. She consistently made sure that the house was well kept everyone within the home ate dinner together. My mother's influence continues to impact my present life through my personal standards and parenting skills. I take great pride in maintaining my personal appearance in addition to ensuring my son has a structured family and home.
3. My older sister I'da is extroverted, determined, and motivating. She influenced my life as a child by taking on the role of my "second mother". My sister providing an open relationship between she and myself which provided me the opportunity to seek advice in her with concerns I had that I was unable to discuss with my parents. My sister nurtured me by providing me with guidance and support regardless of the circumstance. My sister's influence continues to impact my present life through my relationships with family and friends. I often try to have open unbiased communication with family and friends should they seek advice in me.
4. My maternal grandmother Mary is spiritual, nurturing, and caring. She influenced my life as a child by introducing me into Christianity and the church. As a child I would spend the weekend at my grandmother's house which typically consisted of shopping on Saturday and church service on Sunday. My grandmother would often speak to me about the importance of having God within your life and being involved in a Church community. My grandmother nurtured me by providing me with a warm and nurturing home during my weekend visits. My grandmother's influence continues to impact my present life through my spirituality. I value the importance of God and the manner in which he works within my life.
5. My paternal grandfather James is quiet, hardworking, and protective. He influenced my life as a child by teaching me to listen more and speak less. Although my grandfather typically maintained a quite demeanor he often observed his surroundings. My grandfather nurtured me by making sure I got anything I requested during my weekend visits. I remember my grandfather going to the supermarket just to buy the vanilla ice cream I requested. My grandfather's influence continues to impact my present life through my personality. I am usually referred  to as the "quite sister" when comparing the personalities between my sister and I. Like my grandfather I speak less and observe more.

"The Fuel of Elijah"

My passion for the Early Childhood Field is fueled 100% by my 8th month old son Elijah. Once I held my son for the first time in my arms, I instantly knew that he would change my life forever. Prior to the announcement of my pregnancy in April of 2010 and the birth of my son in December of 2010 I was taking classes online to obtain my Master's Degree in Child Psychology. As many first time online classes I struggled with developing a routine to juggle my career and school. Once I became pregnant with my son I continued to take online classes in pursuit of my degree but began to experience new challenges due to my pregnancy such as extreme fatigue and stress. As a result I made the decision to withdrawal from the online university with the intentions to devote the next 9 months to my pregnancy, and return to online courses once my son was born. The first 6 months after having my son was a challenge with lack of sleep, higher levels of stress, and increase in demands. Returning to school was consistently placed on the "back burn" with my various excuses such as "how will i manage school and a infant?", "where will i find the time to complete school work?", and "will i still have quality time to spend with my son?". Once I stop making excuses and came up with a plan I decided to return to school and pursue my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Studies. I chose Early Childhood Studies because I enjoy watching my son develop from month to month his personality, motor skills, communication skills, and emotional skills. I wanted to pursue my degree in a field which will enable me to use the course information and skills learned to apply to my career, my son, and future children.

"A Girl Name Rose"

When I was employed as a counselor I developed a particular bond with a young teenage girl named Rose. Rose was a thirteen year old middle school student, who had unique qualities and a unique presence. I meant with Rose for our weekly scheduled counseling appoints at the public library in the town in which she lived. Rose enjoyed and anticipated our appointments as this was one of her few opportunities to express her emotional feelings, friendships, school work, extracurricular activities, and family due to the fact that she had little communication about these topics with her mother and step-father. During one of our counseling meetings in Early December of 2009, Rose asked me if I could come to her mentor breakfast that was to take place at her school. After receiving the approval from my supervisor and director, I told Rose I would be honored to attend. On the morning of the mentor breakfast I arrived at Rose's middle school, entered the cafeteria where the breakfast was to be held, and was immediately surprised by what I saw. The entire cafeteria was filled with middle school children and their mentors, most of which were the children's parents. I began to realized that the offered extended to me by Rose to attend her mentor breakfast was significantly important to her. Her follow classmates considered their mentor to be an important family member in their life such as their mother, father, older brother, or older sister. The fact that Rose chose me to attend her mentor breakfast and viewed me as mentor and important figure in her life was extremely touching to my heart.

Family Quote!!

"It Takes A Village To Raise A Family"

This quote became important to me once I gave birth to my beautiful son on December 20, 2010. Prior to the birth of my son I would hear this quote often on family television shows, from older adults, in parenting books and magazines. I always understood the implication of the quote but I can't say I truley agreed with the meaning. On that day in which my son was born I  understood that my village consist of my direct family members, and their support is needed to raise my son into a man who is motivated, respectful, and independant. "It Takes A Village To Raise A Family" created a more important meaning for me on that day!!!!! 

TinishaESC: First Post

Hello Everyone!!!

I am new to the "blogging world" but I am very excited to learn this new world of communication for me!!!