Julie's Early Childhood Studies: August 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Journey Continues

What an amazing journey. This journey has been such a wonderful learning opportunity. It could not have been possible without the connections we have made along the way. I have really connected with several classmates, and have an emense respect for each and every one of my collegues I engaged with along this journey. We only have a couple more classes to go and we will have reached our destination and maybe for some the reststop before the Phd. Goodluck ya'all Julie

Saturday, August 4, 2012

A Job Well Done

In 2005, I worked as a Training and Curriculum Specialist at an Air Force Base in England. I was guiding the program through the accreditation process. The staff were receptive, engaged and excited about the process. The staff worked as a cohesive team working in concert with each other like a symphony, playing a Mozart masterpiece. The process was intensive and time consuming but, the strengths of each member came flowing out to ensure success. When we finally reached our goal and received word that we achieved accreditation, we had a huge party. The base commander sponsored a party at the Events Center and the entire Base came out to celebrate our success and show their support for the program. Each member of the staff received a coin from the commander. Receiving a coin is a tradition, which is passed between the presenter and the receiver via a handshake. They are given for awards, appreciation, retirement, and any significant event. Now that the pressure was off the team could adjourn to return to social gatherings. We would all get together to go to concerts, plays, and meals. We took on a more relaxed lifestyle.

In contrast, when the program I am currently at received word of receiving accreditation there was no fanfare, no parties, no gathers, or coins. The director of the program wrote an article which was published in the base paper. There was no adjourning to speak of; it was just business as usual. How depressing and what a feeling of disappointment. A lot of work goes into achieving accreditation and there was no visible sign of appreciation for a job well done.

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My Supports

Within my daily environment, I find the computer and
internet to be supportive to my needs. It supports me within my private and professional life. While at work I use the internet to receive training, seek professional development opportunities for our staff, find resources for families, search for websites to help with curriculum development, find out
information about possible field trip locations, print maps, keep current in NAEYC accreditation updates, and receive newsletters from professional organizations.
Within my private life, the internet provides my schooling,
recipes for healthy meals, weight loss tracking, shopping, keeping in touch with friends and families, maintaining my pet’s certifications, and entertainment.
The benefits of my computer and the internet are numerous. I
am able to sustain relationships from people in distant locations; I can further my education, maintain good health, saves time, and energy, and be more resourceful at my job.
If I did not have my computer or internet, I may not be able
to continue my education in the field I desire because the local university does not offer the course of study I wanted.
If I had to go to the library or elsewhere to do my schoolwork, it would take me away from my family for many hours during the week. If I did not have my computer or internet at work, I would not be as resourceful to staff, families and children.
If computers and internet service was not available to me at
any location, I would have to drive to the different helping agencies in my community to find resources. I would have to call NAEYC for updates and resources. I would probable talk a great deal more on the phone. I would attend expos and conferences to learn about companies who have goods and services for children as well as attend the workshops.

I am often nervous about completing homework
on Sunday’s. I often have physically debilitating migraines, which effect my cognitively as well, as physically. My thought processing is inhibited and I have to hibernate in a dark room. I take a daily preventative medication, which lessens the frequency. However but, still several times a month I get excruciatingly bad headaches.
I have incredible support from my family, doctors, and medication. My family supports me by taking on the responsibilities of the house, being quiet, providing me
with medication, and a cold compress for my head. My husband and daughter will pick up the medication from the pharmacy, or bring me to the Emergency Room if
the medication does not provide relief. My doctors are amazing. My neurologist is very thorough through diagnostic test and experimenting with a variety of medication. She is trying to improve my quality of life. The Emergency Room staff
provide a quiet dark environment, and medication which relieves the pain within a few hours.
The benefits of these supports allow me to recover more quickly, fell loved, and allow me to finish
any required work. Without the support system I have for my migraines, I would be in pain for a number of days, losing work and unable to complete homework assignments. Without my daily medication, I would have more frequent and
intense migraines. I would be isolated in my bedroom without being able to engage with my children or husband. Without my husband and children as supports, I would feel isolated and helpless. I would not be able to complete homework by
the required due date. The ramifications of not having quality supports would prevent me from furthering my education.
Without the reassurance of my supports, my life would be a great deal more secluded, hinder my professional growth, and inhibit my quality of life.

Quotes to Inspire

On Parenting:
"Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it."
Dr. Hiam Ginott

On Teaching:
" I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element int the classroom. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized."
Dr. Hiam Ginott

On Respect:
"Respect according to [people] should not depend upon the way in which they spend their working hours. In a social sense there shuld be only one class- The great class of humanity."
Eglantyne Jebb

On War:
"All wars are waged upon children."
Eglantyne Jebb

On Passion:
"I have a passion to create a safe and just world."
Louise Derman-Sparks

On Motivation:
"It's an instrinsic motivation, knowing the work I do will benifit the lives of children."
Raymand Hernandez MS Ed

Personal Childhood Web

Having a large family has been a complete blessing to grow up in. I have 4 brothers and 4 sisters. My parents we married for over 50 years. My dad passed away 5 years ago and my mother is still living in Plattsburgh Ny in the same house we lived in when I was growning up. My dad was 1 of 4 and my mom 1 of 7. I have 56 first cousins who I know very well growing up. It is difficult to pick just 5 people who influenced me the most. But here goes;

My dad was a hard working small business owner. He worked hard and provided for his large family. We had everything we needed and then some. He was French Canadian Indian with dark brown hair and a bushy mustache. He taught me how to work hard. He taught me many life skills, which help me throughout ever given day. I have manners and a lot of common sense. I can eat at fancy restuants and talk about world politics, realigions, and travel destinations. We watched 60 Minutes together every week and also snuck in a bit of Sunday Morning before Church. He taught me to dress up if I was going to the bank, lawyers or doctors. Most importantly he taught me patience.

My mother is a short little woman who while growing up always had a belly. She is French and Irish. Mom taught me to believe in Jesus Christ. She always had food in the pantry and on the stove. She taught me hospitaility. She also taught me how not to cook.

My brother Bryan is a short little guy with a bit of a belly on him. He is just a couple years younger than me and we think he has William's Syndrom. but he has never been diagnosed. He taught me to be tolerant and accepting of everyone. He taught me that playing your air guitar and dash board piano is perfectly acceptible for an adult as you drive down the road.

My Aunt Delima was my dad's sister. She died only a year before my dad. She was a large woman with jet black hair and a loud voice. She lived about a half hour from us but, we got together quite oftern. She taught me that family was always worth your time. She came to every family gather no matter how small. She baked the most amazing Christmas goodies and to this day Christmas is not the same. She taught me the importance of family.

About Me

Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Journey Continues

Saturday, August 4, 2012

A Job Well Done