Words of Inspiration & Motivation

1)

Jean Piaget

“The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered.”

“What we see changes what we know. What we know changes what we see.”

- Jean Piaget

Lilian G. Katz

“Of course children benefit from positive feedback. But praise and rewards are not the only methods of reinforcement. More emphasis should be place on appreciation—reinforcement related explicitly and directly to the content of the child's interest and efforts”.

-Lilian G. Katz

2) Quote about passion, motivation, & wisdom from media segment.

According to Louise Derman-Sparks, a Professor Emeritus, “I see adults finding their voice, as a result of doing this work. It’s like they reclaim and heal. Things that happened to them in their childhood that… maybe no one had helped them work with when they were younger. So, the passion to create a safer, more just world for all kids is there. And I suppose will be there until I die, maybe even after, I don’t know.

According to Sandy Escobido, Deputy Field Director, “…Through that experience seeing how involved my parents were it made me want to be involved in education in general. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to enter the field of early childhood education, and it’s in early childhood education, that I was able to really see what a unique opportunity we have in working with children. We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child’s life for the better. And so that’s what makes me passionate about this field”.

References:

"Jean Piaget Quotes." Jean Piaget Quotes (Author of The Psychology of Intelligence). N.p., n.d. Web.      26 Sept. 2013. <http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/12064.Jean_Piaget>.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2013). The passion for early childhood. Retrieved          From https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?  tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCo  urse%26id%3D_3467892_1%26url%3D

Lilian G. Katz (20th century), U.S. early childhood specialist. "Should Preschoolers Learn the Three    R's?" Parents Magazine (October 1990). 

Personal Childhood Web

 -Grandma: Of my entire family I feel my Grandma was the main one that raised me. My Grandma was always there for me. My Grandma and I have a unique relationship. Of my entire family, I am the only one that is close to my Grandma; at one point she was my roommate, and to this day is one of my best friends. Due to my Native American Heritage, my Grandma has always been there to teach me the language and culture, and tell me about how she was raised on the Navajo Reservation. Today, I still see my Grandma at least once per week. My Grandma has influenced me a lot growing up, that to this day my friends tell me I have my grandma’s qualities of being caring, giving, and of having an old soul.

-Mom: Since my Mom was a young single Mom it was tough raising me when I was younger. Luckily, with the help of my Grandma my Mom was able to establish a support system to help raise me. My Mom had a lot of juggling to do in order to provide for me. While I was younger, I did not see it that way, but I know she did everything she could to give me everything I wanted. Today, my Mom is more of a friend. My Mom has always been supportive of my decisions, and wants me to strive for things she was never able to achieve. Whenever I make decisions, I take my mom into account, as I want to make her proud.

-Aunt: My aunt is my Mom’s younger sister. While my Mom was busy juggling her duties of being a mother, student, and employee, my Aunt was my babysitter. Because my Mom and my Aunt are so close in age they would take me to school with them and switch off babysitting me, while the other would be in class. It was a juggling act, and took place while I was a toddler. My Aunt was always my babysitter. She would be the one to pick me up from school or daycare and take care of me until my Mom would get home. When I refused to go to after school daycare, I would have my Aunt come pick me up, she was my savior. My Aunt would often take me to the park, play with me, and take me out on trips. Today, my Aunt and I are pretty close, if anything someone I look up to. Whenever I need help with advice in regards to school, she is the first person I turn to.

-Grandpa: My Grandpa was a goofy, quirky guy. Because my Dad was not always in the picture, my Grandpa was more of a father figure in my life. My Grandpa always put me first. My Grandpa spoiled me when I was younger and always wanted me to do my best.  My Grandpa always wanted me to put education first, and when I was doing poorly in school he would make me go to tutors to seek help. My Grandpa has impacted my present life of continuing my education. If I am able body, why not continue to learn and apply it to everyday situations.

-Childhood Cat: I know my cat might not be a person, but she certainly was family. My cat, Missy, was given to me at age five, after my Dad left. Missy was my best friend. She was always there to listen and she did her best to help me through my many challenges. Missy knew when I needed comforting, and she sincerely cared for me, as much as I cared for her. My pet cat made me feel special when I was growing up; I had her for 15 years. I would say she made a significant difference in my childhood. Missy continues to impact my life by me striving to stay positive and stress-free.

Here is a picture of me on Halloween 1993 or 1994.

My favorite childhood book is Corduroy by Don Freeman. Never have I thought about why I liked this book so much, but I feel that after pondering about it, this may have been the origin to me treating my many stuffed animals as friends with feelings. The author uses personification to give life like qualities to stuffed animal, Corduroy the bear. What I like about this children’s book is how Corduroy is on a mission to find his lost button. Corduroy wants to look “brand-new” that way someone can buy him and take him home.

What fuels me to succeed and become a teacher is due to my siblings. I want to set an example for my younger siblings. All of my half-siblings range in ages from 2-13 years old, and each of them look up to me as their older educated sister. What really motivated me to become a teacher was my little sister. My younger sister was in  kindergarten at the time and I was helping out as a teacher’s aid in her class. What I loved about it was how proud she was to tell all of her classmates that she was my sister; that was when I realized I wanted to teach in the early childhood field.