Words of Inspiration and Motivation

If we as parents cut corners, our children will too.  If we lie, they will too.  If we spend our money on ourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, our children won't either.  And if we parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to sniff out.  Marian Wright Elderman

I believe that culture intelligence and moral standards are influenced by ones environment.  Jean Marc Gaspard Itard

Adults find their voice from working with children. Louise Derman-Sparks

Education involves ones values, beliefs and ideas that lead to action.   Leticia Lara

Personal Childhood Web

The five people that have nurtured and cared about me are:

1. Dad, he was the most kind hearted person I knew.  He was funny and always kept you laughing.  He always made me feel like his little princess.  The older I get the more I see myself in him.  He passed away when I was just starting my life as an adult but everyone who knew him only has good things to say about him.
2. Mom, was the backbone of our family.  She tolerated little but taught me much.  I know that I get my strong will from her.  Even today at 73, she is a workaholic and has no desire on retiring her job of 45 years or letting go of the many organizations that she heads.  Mom has taught me that age is just a number and if you let life get you down it will.
3. Aunt Phyllis, taught me that life without enjoyment and peace of mind is not living.  This during a dramatic part of my life.  She was there to console with her quiet, gentle soul.  She taught me to fight for what I believed in and never put anyone above GOD. 
4. Karen, friend for over 25 years.  Karen truly inspires me.  I can always call her and pick up where we left off months before.  She has been by my side through child rearing, divorce, re-marriage, career change, etc. Throughout she would challenge me to do and be my best. 
5. Ms. Odom, Elementary Teacher/mentor.   I am teaching because of her.  She is the one person that let me know from grade school that I would be an excellent teacher, from tapping my knuckles to hold my pencil correctly to talking to me after school.  She was very patient and kind and took the time to tell me how proud she was of me.  Ms. Odom is still teaching and coincidently, we work at the same school.  She never fails to let me and anyone in sight, that she always knew I would be a exceptional teacher.

Photo

I apologize for the size of the picture but this is VERY new to me.  I wanted to include this picture because I cannot think of a better place to be than near the ocean.  I was able to spend an entire month in FL this summer and look forward to enjoying the white beaches and calming sea again this year.

Favorite Children's Book

I have always LOVED the Lil Bill series since my son was only a few months old.  The lessons taught throughout each book define the way I was brought up.  Each "Lil Bill" book zone in on the value of friendship and family, while also encouraging them to solve problems independently and fairly.

Favorite Quote

If a child cannot learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.

Ignacio Estrada