Ethics

I-1.3

abilities, and potential of each child.

This is important to me because I always try and get to know each of my students on a personal level so that I can teach them based on their unique abilities.  I get to know them not only through school, but also through the interaction that I have with their families.  I feel like this helps the students become more comfortable in class which makes it easier for them to work to their greatest potential.

I-1.12

smooth transition as children and families move from

—To work with families to provide a safe andone program to the next.
This ideal is meaningful to me because I really enjoy teaching preschool in a public school where I am in the same building as the kindergarten classes that my students will be entering when they leave my classroom.  I work very closely with the families of my students who are going to kindergarten so they know what is exepcted of their son or daughter and they know what to expect as a parent.  I help enroll the students in a summer program for new kindergarteners, and I visit the students and their parents during the first orientation day to help make the transition go more smoothly.

I-2.3

them to participate in the program.

This ideal is important to my program because I think that the more positive family involvement that I can get in preschool, the more progress that my students will make.  At least once a month, I invite the parents in to the classroom to participate.  Sometimes we make an art project, sometimes we play a learning game, and sometimes they just observe and help out.  This participation helps me to build a better relationship with each family, which in turn positively affects the learning of the child.—To welcome all family members and encourage—To recognize and respect the unique qualities,

Notable Quotables

"We have entered an age in which education is not just a luxury permitting some men an advantage over others. It has become a necessity without which a person is defenseless in this complex, industrialized society.” ~ President Lyndon B. Johnson

"You aren't learning anything when you're talking.” ~ President Lyndon B. Johnson




"The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life is also secured for all other people's children." ~ Dr. Lillian Katz, Professor of Early Childhood Education

"We, as professionals in the Early Childhood field, have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better." ~Sandy Escobido, Deputy Field Director, Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving and gets plenty of needed rest!

Personal Childhood Web

My family was the quintessential Simpson family when I was growing up (but without the often forgot about baby Maggie), so this is why I chose to use the Simpson characters to depict my family.  My brother is a year younger than I am.  As children, it seemed like we were always in competition as far as who would do better in school, and this helped to push me to always want to do my best.  Now, as adults, we have each taken very different paths - he chose not to go to college and makes a very good living as an employee of General Motors while I am working on my fifth college degree.  I guess I took winning the education competition a little far!  My mom and dad were very supportive of my brother and me.  They made it clear that school was the most important job that we had, and I remember my dad helping the both of us with our homework every night at the dining room table.  The importance of education was clear all through my school years, and one memory that I have is of both of my parents attending EVERY parent-teacher conference from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  One conference night during my senior year, my parents came home and said that most of my teachers questioned why they were at the conference when I was getting all A's on my report card, and they answered that it was nice to hear good news about your child.  I was embarrassed at the time, but now as an adult, and a teacher, I really appreciate their involvement.  They continue to offer me support, although they think it's funny I am still taking college classes, and they encourage me to keep bettering myself through education.  My grandfather was another positive influence growing up.  I remember him constantly telling me how important it was to do well in school, and even though he was not alive to see me graduate high school and then college, I am sure that he would be extremely proud of all that I have accomplished thus far.

                                                          

Baby Shower

I went to my best friend's baby shower today and it was a nice change from your run of the mill baby showers.  There were no games, no opening of presents, and no baby-themed decorations.  It was a lovely luncheon, and we took unwrapped gifts for her daughter who was born at the end of September. The gifts were displayed on the beautifully decorated gift table with each person's name card in front of their gift.  We wrote a note to the baby to put in a time capsule that she will open at her 16th birthday and we looked at everyone's gifts as we went to put the note into the capsule.  It was a nice change of pace and I was wondering if anyone else had ever been to a nontraditional shower?

Favorite Teaching Quote

Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.  ~John Cotton Dana

I love this quote because I truly hope to be a lifetime student!!

Favorite Children's Picture Book



 My favorite children's picture book is The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams.  I like this book so much because my favorite holiday is Halloween and I really make a big deal out of it at school with my students.  We basically read Halloween books all month and we learn songs and do reader's theater with fun little chants like Five Little Pumpkins.  We have a terrifyingly good time during our Halloween centers and the kids learn a lot about bats, pumpkins, apples and other fall-related things.  This book always ends up being one of their favorites as well because they really get into all of the movements that they are required to make throughout the book and we have a few fun activities that go along with this story.  Even after Halloween is over, students still put this book in the read it again bin because they enjoy it so much.