Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Susan Bredekamp, PhD -

“It is our responsibility to cultivate children’s delight in exploring and understanding their world. Early childhood is and should be a time of laughter, love, play, and great fun.” 

“We are decision makers. As adults caring for children, it is our responsibility to seek out and intentionally plan the best opportunities for children that support their over-all wellbeing and healthy development.”

Pamela Winton, PhD –

"For inclusion to be successful, specialist, teachers and families must actively collaborate to best meet the needs of the children with disabilities."

"One strategy that is increasingly being used for helping early intervention professionals become more family centered is to involve family members in personnel preparation efforts."

The Passion for Early Childhood –

“The passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and to develop to their fullest ability.” Louise Derman-Sparks

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have a unique opportunity to shape a child’s life for the better.”  - Sandy Escobido

“I am not here to save the world. I am just here to make a difference in the community that I am working.” - Raymond Hernandez

"I learned it’s not all about you. You gotta take your ego out of it and think about what’s best for this 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

“With resources and access to resources, parents can thrive.” – Leticia Lara

Personal Childhood Web

•Mom – Being raised in a house were affection was not openly expressed, my mother had a tough time being affectionate with us.  When I was about 4 years old, my mother fell ill.  When she was feeling well, she would bake cookies and play board games with me.  She did not give hugs or say “I love you” but she did help me study my spelling words and occasionally sewed me a new jumper.  Once I was older and had my own family, my mother started hugging me whenever we came to visit.  My mother visited my classroom when I was working with students that were severe, profound, and medically fragile and fell in love with what I was doing.  She would send me newspaper articles about children with special needs, special education, and unique events.  Every time, I would visit, she wanted to hear about my job and my students.  I lost my mom January 9, 2011 and to this day, one of my favorite memories is my mom holding one a 3-year-old with Down Syndrome during visit to my classroom.

•Dad – My dad, too, was raised in a house were affection was not expressed openly; however, he did his best to care for us while caring for my mom.  Unlike my mom, he a gave hugs; they were side hugs, but they were hugs.  My dad worked Monday – Friday in an 8-5 job, but he made sure he was present at all our band concerts and school activities.  He drove me to my soccer games and let me hang out with him in garage as he did his woodworking.  Our favorite weekend activity was sitting in the family room watching John Wayne movies.  I cannot tell you how many times we watched in Harm’s Way.   My dad did not have a strong educational background - he barely graduated high school.  Whenever I asked him for help with schoolwork, he would point to the encyclopedias, dictionary, or just offer to drive me to the public library.  College was non-negotiable; his children were going to get a college degree.  I lost my dad this past January (Jan. 23, 2018) and will continue to fulfill his wishes and earn my master’s degree.  

•Keith – My brother is the oldest of the three of us.  Being seven years older than me, we did not have much in common.  I watched and learned from him.  He was a quiet, nerdy, band geek but so very smart.   Keith preferred to be at a friend’s house, so he was not home much.  Keith and I would, occasionally, stay up late to watch Star Trek or whatever sci-fi show was on.  As we have gotten older, we talk more but only see each other occasionally since we live two hours apart.

•Cheryl – Cheryl is my older sister and the middle child.  The was the bossy child (and still is).  Even though, we are only four years apart, we were not close.  Cheryl, too, preferred to be out of the house and spent most of her time at her best friend’s house.  About ten years ago, Cheryl and I started calling each other on a regular basis and having sister time.  She continually encourages me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. 

•Nancy –  I did not know what it was like to have a close relationship until I started babysitting for the Byers family at the age of 15.  I would babysit for them 2-3 times a week during the school year and full time during the summers.  Nancy became my other mother.  Even though they got home from the movies around 9:30 pm, but I may not get home from babysitting until 11:00 or later.  Nancy and I would just sit and talk about anything and everything.  We talked about school, my family, my boyfriends, and social events.  John and Nancy invited me to family events, to their children’s activities, and even invited me over to eat dinner with their family.  Nancy was the first person to really hug me and tell me that she loved me.  Unfortunately, we lost touch with each other, but she will forever be in my heart.

•Stephani – Steph became my best friend in middle school.  We did everything together.  If she wasn’t over at my house, I was at hers.  We were like sisters in many ways – we shared clothes, did each other’s hair, talked about boys, etc.  Unfortunately, our friendship did not pass the test of time, boys, and drugs in high school.  Thanks to Facebook, Stephani and I have found each other.  Our lives have taken separate paths, we will 8 hours away from each other, but we still check in on each other every now and then.

I have recently discovered a special very children's book...Mrs. Spitzer's Garden, written by Edith Pattou and illustrated by Tricia Tusa.  Mrs. Spitzer is a kindergarten teacher that is passionate about gardening.  Each year, the principal gives her a packet of seeds at the end of the summer. She preps the soil, plants the seeds, and then waters and cares for flowers as they grow.  She nurtures the flowers and recognizes that each flower grows differently and have different needs.  At the end of the year, her job is done until the next time the principal hands her a new packet of seeds. This a wonderful book for all teachers; especially, new teachers.  

The students in our classrooms are the flowers in our garden. 

It is our job to care for them and nurture them all year long.

Don't Underestimate Me

Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) is a special education program that serves children between the ages of three to five who have delays in the areas of speech, language, physical, social, and or emotional development.  Services for children in the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) include daily structured activities that develop language (expressive and receptive), motor (fine and gross), and self-help skills.  PPCD provides a variety of placement options for children who qualify for services bases on the least restrictive environment (LRE) and most appropriate placement. Program options may include itinerant speech, self-contained, or inclusion programs.  The Individual Education Program (IEP) committee decides the services and place of a student receiving PPCD services.

Early childhood special education is an adventure in its own.  As a PPCD teacher, I was able to meet the needs of students with varying abilities.  My students had a special place in my heart and as their teacher. I was challenged to teach them the skills and knowledge they needed to grow and exceed any and all expectations. I left the classroom in 2013 to become a Special Education Specialist focusing on PPCD or what other states refer to as Early Childhood Special Education.   As a specialist, I am able to train, coach, and mentor teachers working with students receiving PPCD services.

In this blog, I intend to share ideas and resources that will help teachers meet the individual needs and challenges of their students.  I highly encourage teachers to maintain high expectations and provide every child every opportunity possible to be success in not only the classroom but in life.