Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Ladson-Billings on labeling children "at-risk"

We cannot saddle these babies at kindergarten with this label and expect them to proudly wear it for the next 13 years, and think, "Well, gee, I don't know why they aren't doing good." So if anybody gets it, I know that writing project people know language matters. What you call something matters.

Ladson-Billings on unethical education practices

I do spend a fair amount of my time in schools. I get to hear many things about what's quote "wrong with our students." And one of the things I hear is that children lack exposure or experiences. I hear this really at the early level a lot. So as a consequence, many of their classroom days are filled with day after day after day of experiences, but little, if any, teaching. Now I do believe that schools can and should offer students some interesting and new experiences, but those experiences have to be tied to student learning. . . . To take kids to the zoo or to the amusement park without some learning link to it, particularly when none of these high-stakes tests are going to ask them or hold them accountable for whether or not they've been to Six Flags, it's not only unfair, it's unethical.

“We must use what has been called “smart power”: the full range of tools at our disposal -- diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal, and cultural -- picking the right tool, or combination of tools, for each situation. With smart power, diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy. This is not a radical idea. The ancient Roman poet Terence, who was born a slave and rose to become one of the great voices of his time, declared that “in every endeavor, the seemly course for wise men is to try persuasion first.” The same truth binds wise women as well'

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I think Mr. Raymond Hernandez said I am here not to save the world but to make a difference.  I also liked when he said "Don't forget who you are working for'. He reminds us to support each other when he said he is there to support his staff.  That he feels that is where he is making a difference,


Renatte M. Cooper reminds us that all of us must met our challenges.

Personal Childhood Web

My childhood I am blessed to say was filled with love.  My main supporter is my Mom.  My Mother comes from a family of elven. So Mom knows how to balance a household.  She showed all how to not only love ourselves but how to show love. We all had to know how to clean up, and I mean clean up.  we washed the baseboards every weekend.  My Father plays the traditional role, the I am hear to pay the bills and do the car things. I have an older brother who made sure that no boys got to close to me or my other sisters.  He is the backup to my Father.  You must show respect and love to come in the door. My older sister made sure we learned how to keep the house running smoothly.  My next brother was the one who scoped things out.  The one who finds out just how far we could push the button.  Then there is my youngest sister, we had to be the role model for her.
There are so many ways that my family makes me feel special.  My middle brother allowed me to drive, my oldest brother showed me that there are great guys out there.  My oldest sister taught me to look for people to trust  and my younger sister showed me that I could be a role model.  My whole family has continued to believe in me.  They are pushing me through school now.

A Current Picture of Me and My Two Kids

Me, Kaira (14), and Kameron (20) @ Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, FL

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

I picked Where The Wild Things Are because I loved to read that to my two children. It is open for imagination.

A quote about children, childhood, families, early childhood, etc. that is especially meaningful to me.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss

A Current Picture of Me

My son took this picture on our vacation over the summer when went on a cruise to St. Maarten.

Does It Work?

So this is my first blog post. I'm just trying to get the kinks out of it.