Words of Inspiration and Motivation

“None of our children can wait for more and better child care. My and our nation's biggest challenge is to see that every child who needs it receives good quality care. This includes care by the child's own parent in the early months of life - - something only a paid infant care leave could widely provide. When children do enter out-of-home care, we must do something to insure that it is good care. I cannot retire when I see so many of our children receiving care that is so poor in quality that their growth and development are compromised.” Edward Zigler Ph.D

“Investing in [children] is not a national luxury or a national choice. It's a national necessity. If the foundation of your house is crumbling, you don't say you can't afford to fix it while you're building astronomically expensive fences to protect it from outside enemies. The issue is not are we going to pay -- it's are we going to pay now, up front, or are we going to pay a whole lot more later on.” Marian Wright-Edelman

 “I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution in the world and fix all the injustices and I wanted to do that through teaching”.  Louise Derman-Sparks

 “It’s not all about you, you got to take your ego out of it and think about what is best for the child and you care about them enough to help them transition to what will come next and what’s best” Renatta M. Cooper

Additional Quotes:

“It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it”. Maria Montessori

Personal Childhood Web

My Grandma

There was a time in my childhood when I had an issue eating and keeping down food. My grandmother demanded my mother to move back home so that she could take care of me. My grandma did exactly that! She cooked for me, loved me up, and she did indeed fix the problem. My grandma made me feel special by spending a lot of time with me, we were close. I was her shopping buddy, we loved singing and talking and I often helped her do chores around the house and garden. I was an inquisitive child and loved asking questions and my grandma always encouraged me to ask more questions and make my own connections. My grandmother was a very loving, funny and determined woman. She was a wife and mother of seven children. She was known as the Grandma of our street because she was friendly, and loving and invited friends and neighbors into our home for meals. She was the rock of the family and her influences still resonate in my family!

I am grateful for my mother, Shelia. She is my hero, my inspiration and one of my biggest cheerleaders. My mother is the reason I strive for a better life. Growing up in a single parent home, as a precocious child, I witnessed my mother struggle to provide to meet our needs and wants. She pushed me to be independent and allowed me to make a lot of my own decisions, trusting I was able to decide what was right.  Observing her tribulations instilled a drive in me to further my education and dare to accomplish my dreams. I always admired her never quit attitude and generosity to others. My childhood was far from perfect but, its imperfection enforced the strength I have in my adulthood. Over the years, my mother and I relationship evolved into a friendship. We are a part of a support system where we; seek advice, encouragement, company shopping etc. or just casual chats. There isn’t anything we cannot talk about, we influence each other to be better and strive for better. My mother is one of my best friends.

My Mom, Aunt Leslie and Me

My Aunt Leslie is also known as my aunty-mommy because she is like a second mom to me.  When I was a child she would take care of me on weekends when my mom had to work. She made me feel special by spending time with me, by taking me to the park and helping me with my homework. Throughout my life she has given me advice and supported my life adventures. She always wants the best for my life and supports my decisions in life.



My Uncle Keith



My Uncle Keith taught me the Spanish words “dame un beso” translated “give me a kiss” when I was about five years old. He was very playful and often made me laugh.  He taught me how to tie my shoes and helped me with my homework. He made me feel special by taking me to the store, by taking me on drives and simple just interacting with me. He continues to make me feel special by showing an interest in my life and telling me that he is proud of me.

 
"All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who belives in them."- Earvin "Magic" Johnson

By: Mary Hoffman Illustrated By: Caroline Binch

This story is about a girl name Grace with a never-ending imagination and confidence.  I admire the characteristics of Grace the most. She is determined, confident and very curious. She is also very strong willed, yet humble. When Grace set her mind to something she followed through on it, not minding what other people thought. It is a very encouraging story!