~*Quotes*~

"We begin with learning. Every child must have the best education our Nation can provide.
Thomas Jefferson said no nation can be both ignorant and free. Today no nation can be both ignorant and great. " ~Lyndon B. Johnson

"As you consider whether to move a child into formal academic training, remember that we want our children to do more than just learn how to read and write; we want them to learn in such a way that they become lifelong readers and writers. If we push our children to start learning these skills too far ahead of their own spontaneous interest and their capacity, we may sacrifice the long-range goal of having them enjoy such pursuits. " ~Lilian Katz

"As I grew up, I think I wanted to be continued to be a teacher because I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world to fix all the injustices that existed in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching." ~Louise Derman Sparks

"I learned that it is not all about you, you have to take your ego out of it and think about what's best for the child. And you care about them enough to help them transition to what's next, what comes next and what's best." ~Renatta M. Cooper

"I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier." ~Whitney Houston

Personal Childhood Web

                    As a child, growing up in a small town where there is more violence than opportunities can easily affect ones motivation. I am very pleased to say that throughout my childhood, I have had positive and encouraging family and friends surrounded by me inspite of the negativity in my community. I would like to share a few of those people who has made a positive impact in my life:

This is my grandmother, Ida Mae and everyone in the family calls her "momma." Since I can remember, she has been the strongest individual in my family. Heart surgeries and having both legs amputated has never stopped this young 95 year old lady That's my motivation to keep pushing. She used to make me feel very special as a child by cooking me my favorite meal, spaghetti. She makes THE best sphaghetti might I add and I always wanted to know what was her special recipe. When my mother would tell her that we did great on our report cards, she would reward us with money, reminding us that hard work does pay off. She continues to influence my life because the strength that she posses is the strength I plan to gain. I am happy that God has allowed her 95 years on this earth.

My favorite aunt in the entire world is this young lady. She is like my second mother as she has always carried me under her wing when I was a child. She lived across the street from my mother and everyday, I would run to her home to get a home cooked meal. She always made sure that her children and myself would make it to school safely as she was our bus driver. This lady always made me feel special. Whenever she would take any out of town trips with her children, she made sure they called me to see if I wanted to get away for a while. She made me feel wanted and sometimes that is all a child need. Even today, as I continue my education, I know that she is behind me 100% and wants to see me succeed. She continues to influence me to never give up, and to always pray and never worry.

I don't think God could have placed a better human being in my life than this young lady. She is my cousin and most of all my best friend. Since birth, we've been connected to the hip. My family calls us "two peas in a pod" because when we were kids, you never saw one without the other. Whenever I was sick, depressed, stressed, or felt like giving up, she was always there to encourage and uplift me. I looked up to her; straight A student, beautiful, wonderful personality etc. Always willing to give her last to anyone who needed it. Whenever her mom would come pick me up to come over their home, she always gave me the biggest smile, making me feel special. When I saw that smile, I knew we were in for a good time when we made it to her house. She always used to let me play with her barbie dolls as we used to cut all their hair off :-). Today, she continue to influence me. If she's worried about something, she will never show it and that's what impresses me the most with her. She is very strong and we continue to support and enourage each other to aim high, remain  humble, and to keep God on our side. We are still those same young ladies that used to smile at each other years ago, not much has changed.

This handsome young man is my cousin Rudy. Rudy made sure I was doing well in school. Whenever we conversated or saw each other, he would ask me was there anything I needed or anything he could help me with. He gave me advice on dating and what to look for in a male friend. Whenever guys would try to talk to me or date me, Rudy made sure that those guys knew that I was a smart girl with a blooming personality. That made me feel special because Rudy was a very comical person but I know that it was not a laughing matter when he said those words. Unfortunately, Rudy was killed in April 2010 on his college campus.Words cannot express how much I miss him. While in college, he always tallked about how he wanted to graduate and take care of his mother. I'm influenced by those words. Although he did not get a chance to do it, hopefully I can see the day when I can take care of my mother and accomplish the dreams that were taking away from him way too soon.

Last but not least, this is my mother (on the left). I would not be the person I am today had I not witness the struggles my mother went through when I was a child and how she managed to make it through. Even if it wasn't much, my mother made sure that my siblings and I had a meal to eat. I don't think I've ever met anyone who laughs and smiles as much as my mother.Whenever I needed anything in school as a child, she tried her hardest to get those things for me. My mother didn't have a job or a car at the time, but the thought of her trying  to get things for me showed that she cared. In my home, you really did not hear compliments much but that didn't mean we didn't love each other or that we were not proud of each other. When my dad would come pick me up to spend time with him, my mom always complimented me and told him how wonderful I was. To hear my mother say those words made me feel like I could fly because as I stated, we didn't compliment each other at home. The reason I continue to be a hardworker is because of my mother. She currently decided to go back to school to get her GED. Her strength to go back to school has influenced me to continue with my education. Everything I do, I do because of her. I want her to be happy and proud of her daughter. I want to provide for her the things that she's not able to provide for herself.

*The reason I smile*

Coming from a city where opportunities are limited, I am very honored and pleased to be in the presence and the cheerleader coach of these wonderful young ladies. There is not much to do here in my city; my town has always been flawed for poverty, drugs, gun violence, murder, etc. Most of their families are low income families and usually when an opportunity as this one approaches them, they feel that they would have to pay money to be apart of the activites. My job paid for everything. The ladies were issued uniforms, shoes, hair ribbons, pom poms and their parents did not have to pay a dime for anything. I did not require the ladies to tryout, every person was picked based on if their parent turned in their application before the due date. The ages range from 5-12. I did not feel the need to break a child's heart if they did not make the cut for tryouts, I was willing to work with each of them every way possible. This organization was built to build self esteem's and sister hood, show confidence, and to encourage them to be anything that they desire to be. I can't explain the feeling of watching them progress and grow as a team each day, each basketball or football game. Before rehearsal, we always have warm ups where we shout as loud as we can, "I"M BEAUTIFUL, I'M ME, I"M FREE." The look and confidence in their faces are the reason I smile because at those moments, they are free from the world. Each day, they look forward to practice and being apart of an organization that supports and encourages them. Every game, I show my appreciation to them buy showering them with gifts, just to let them know that their hardwork never goes unnotice. They have taught me to be patient and understanding in any situation that emerges. I am so thankful and grateful to know that I can put a smile on their faces and make a difference, but little do they know, they are the reason I smile:)

~Quote~

"No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure."

-Emma Goldman

Shine Bright

Hello!

The first week has been a bit tense for me as I navigate through the class to familiarize myself with everything. I am still in the learning process, and hopefully from the help of colleagues and my instructors, the experience will be more at ease for me. I hope everyone week has started out alot better than mine:) Looking forward to get more comfortable with blogging. This is my first time ever having the experience. If you have any questions for me, you're welcome to ask me at anytime. Good luck classmates!

-Latasha