"Making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child be able to be successful in the classroom." - Raymond Hernandez

"The reason they weren't succeeding had nothing to do with their innate intelligence, but had to do with the fact that they needed the tools, to be able to know how to survive, thrive in the public school system." - Louise Derman-Sparks

" It is only through the active, meaningful engagement and experimentation with objects and people that children can begin to construct knowledge, logical reasoning, and develop social relationships. This happens most easily through children's play and socialization experiences". -Dr Abigail Adams Eliot

Elizabeth Palmer Peabody's inscription: A teacher of three generations of children, and the founder of kindergarten in America. Every humane cause has her sympathy, and many her active aid.

Personal Childhood Web

My web would have to start with my parents, Jean and Dean Brown. 

My mother was the primary caretaker. She volunteered at my school was home with us after school, fixed our bikes and kept us fed. My mother influenced me by teaching me to be open minded and trusting. She is a giver who had difficulty saying no and I find it is hard for me as well.My mom made me feel special mostly by spending time with me. Although I work full time, I enjoy cooking for my family, and doing little things for them, which I get from my mother.

 My father most nurtured me by taking me with him when he traveled , and providing financially for our family.He influenced me by sharing his love of history. We had to stop at every historical marker on our road trips. I definitely developed the history geek gene. I also love to travel and I am thankful for his career which allowed me to see so much of the world during my youth.

My little brother, Tim Brown brought out the mother in me at a young age. He is eight years younger so I was and instant babysitter. I was so excited to have a baby brother and he was the first child I helped care for.When we traveled, I enjoyed spending time with him and entertaining him when we moved form place to place.He was my buddy when we arrived in new places before we made friends.I suppose he influences me today by starting me on my path to an career in Early Childhood Education.

 My cousin Sheri White was almost like a twin. We were born three days apart and grew up together. We even got the same gifts on our birthdays and dressed alike, just different colors. She nurtured me by being my confidant and friend. We navigated adolescence together and shared many experiences. She always seemed to be one step ahead of me, even though she was younger. I was influenced as much by her experiences as my own. We don't see each other as often as I would like anymore but when we do it was like we were never apart.
     

My papa, Fred Brown was the grandparent I was closest to.He always had time for us when we visited.My grandmas just didn't have a lot of patience with kids! I have memories of him taking me swimming in the lake, finding me sugarcane and showing me how to eat it and carrying me on his shoulders.He played the trumpet and was an amazing musician. He even told stories using his trumpet to create sound effects. My grandfather also chose teaching as a career and I am proud taht I followed his footsteps into the Education field.

I would like to begin my blog by sharing the story of a very special student. Haven Belle Anderson started attending our Preschool as an infant. Before she was 2, she began to feel ill and was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma. Haven is an inspiration and a fighter.Now three years old, she has endured multiple rounds of Chemo, radiation, drug trials and procedures in an effort to kick cancer's booty. So far she is doing an awesome job at it. Haven fights with a smile on her face and a feisty personality.Haven's mom, Erin tells us Haven wants so much to return to school and play with her friends and that she points the school out whenever they drive by.She is one step closer to returning every day and we hope she joins us soon! Above is a photograph of Haven with my daughter Raven, shortly after Raven shaved her head at her highschool in support.

True Story...

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Before I was an educator...

Me and my Hippie Uncle Mike..