Inspiring Words from Top Educators

“Never Help a Child with a Task at Which He Feels He Can Succeed”

-Maria Montessori

“Free the Child’s Potential, and You Will Transform Him into the World.”

-Maria Montessori

“My inspiration did not specifically come from one of my teachers, but I was inspired when I was getting my MBA at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford. I had previously received my doctorate in education (also from Stanford) and had worked in education for several years. My older son was born at the beginning of my second year in the MBA program, and I faced the same challenges that many new moms face -- trying to find quality care for their children while pursuing their professional careers. While I was extremely fortunate to be able to balance these goals, I was inspired to seek a career that allowed me to apply my expertise in education with my then newly acquired business skills. I have been incredibly fortunate to have a career that has allowed me to spend my professional time working to improve the lives of children and families” (U.S. Chamber of Congress Foundation, n.d.).

-Dr. Elanna S. Yalow CEO of Kindercare

 

Maria Montessori’s Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maria_montessori.html

U.S. Chamber of Congress Foundation. (n.d.). EXECUTIVE PROFILE: Elanna Yalow. Retrieved from http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/bhq/executive-profile-elanna-yalow

 

A Realistic Personal Childhood Web

Mother- My mother made sure I was fed and there was a roof over my head. She took me to church where I learned a lot of my values and morals.

Dad- I know my dad always cared about me. I did not grow up with him but we now have a relationship as an adult.

Aunt Gilda- My aunt was in and out of my life but she taught me about manners and how to do certain things. Now my aunt is in my life and we are there for each other.

Church Members- My childhood church members were members I looked at from a far and observed and learned from. I related more to the children of the church than children my age. I learned a lot of values and morals from the pastor and other church members.

*I have to be truthful with my audience. This was a hard post to write because I grew up as an only child and was not around family that much. I did not know my family from both sides of my family very well. I learned a lot through observing other people and going through my own challenges that hardly anyone explained how to get through my struggles as a child. I did not have much comfort from my parents. I had no siblings that I lived with. If church members gave me hugs it felt like out of Christian duty except for a few members that were very special to me. This lack of much family impacts me today. It is very hard for me to take criticism and I don’t really like asking for help. I am getting a little better but certain situations takes me aback.

The Mosley Family- This family was a special family to me. Their children were the first children that I knew I was great with children. I played with them and taught them things. I helped them with their homework. Their parents and aunt were very loving and accepting of me. They were my example of how a family should be. I always wanted a family like theirs one day. I am sad to say that their father and aunt (twins) both passed away within three years of each other. You do not know how much someone impacted your life until they are gone.

My Whole Life Ahead of Me-What Do I Tell Myself?

As I sit down on this grass watching the camera that will take this photo of me I can only imagine what I am thinking. I'm sure I had no clue what was really going on. I now stare at this picture and my mind fills in the blanks of her life after this moment. I think about my preschool days when I mixed my orange juice and milk together to see what it will taste like. I fast forward to my elementary days when I experienced my first fight walking home from school. I remember my teenage years feeling isolated from the world and staying in my own bubble. I related to children more than to teenagers around this time too. Once high school was over I entered the military only to realize that I was unable to use my creativity like I desired to do. Later, I had my son then got married only to divorce later. I learned how to be a single mother. I learned how to be a better mom working in Early Childhood for twelve years. Now I finally graduated with a degree and now pursuing my graduate degree. I take a look at my baby picture again. She did not know all that and more was going to happen. Her life at that point was not going to be perfect. There are things and situations that baby is going to have to grow up to learn from and grow up to fix. However, she will make it to this moment where she is writing to share to the world her story. She will have something to offer the world no matter how many obstacles she will have to beat. She was me thirty-five years ago. I am me thirty-five years later. I tell myself now to keep going and never give up. You are stronger than you think or feel.

This is my quote that I place on the back of my t-shirts to inspire others like it inspires me.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein The Giving Tree is one of my favorite childhood stories that walks you through a person's life from childhood until he is an old man. This tree has been there for him throughout his life. I love how this book shows the different stages and its perspective of what is needed at each stage of his life (Silverstein, 1964). Silverstein, S., & Row, P. (1964). The giving tree. New York, NY: Harper & Row.