Words of Inspiration and Motivation

AN EXCERPT FROM DR. SYLVIA CHARD'S WRITING:- WHY IS PROJECT LEARNING IMPORTANT?

One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life. In real life, we don't spend several hours at a time listening to authorities who know more than we do and who tell us exactly what to do and how to do it. We need to be able to ask questions of a person we're learning from. We need to be able to link what the person is telling us with what we already know. And we need to be able to bring what we already know and experience we've had that are relevant to the topic to the front of our minds and say something about them.

REFERENCE: http://www.edutopia.org/sylvia-chard-project-learning

AN EXCERPT FROM PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON'S INTERVIEW WITH TIME'S RICK STENGEL, ABOUT HIS NEW BOOK  'BACK TO WORK' AND HOW TO FIX THE ECONOMY.

First of all, we face more and more intense competition from around the world, and at the same time we have adopted - except in the eight years I served and the first two years President Obama was serving - this antigovernment philosophy, which has mostly, as I point out, been an antitax and antiregulation philosophy, so that we have dramatically increased the national debt and our reliance on other countries to fund it. Now we are facing the retirement of the baby boomers and once again a dramatic increase in health care cost. So we have to figure out a way to put the country in the future business.  We have to get a hold of the long-term debt problem, and we have to revitalize the private sector. And you can't do it with an antigovernment strategy. You have to have a smart government and a strong economy. That's basically the argument of the book.

REFERENCE: http://swampland.time.come/2011/11/09/qa-bill-clintons-vision.

QUOTES ABOUT PASSION, MOTIVATION, AND WISDOM FROM PROFESSIONALS IN WEEK 2 MEDIA SEGMENT.

Sandy Escobido

"Fortunately, I was lucky enough to enter the field of Early Childhood Education, and it's in Early Childhood Education that I was able to really see what a unique opportunity we have in working with children. We as professionals in the Early Childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, and so, that's what makes me passionate about this field".

 Raymond Hernandez Ms.Ed.

''I am not here to save the world, I'm here to make a difference in the community where I'm working, and to me, making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child to be able to be successful in the classroom''.

ADDITIONAL QUOTE:

Renatta M. Cooper

''Working intently with children and their families was almost like earning a Doctorate, because every year there was always a specific challenge that I was in charge. I had to meet it. I had to meet it for me.  I had to meet it in terms of what I was modeling for my staff, and what they will be taking  away and incorporate it into their own personal repertoire. And also, I had to meet it for the families that I worked with".

REFERENCE: Course Media: ''The Passion for Early Childhood''  http://www.waldenu.edu

My Childhood Web!!

 

The five persons who influenced my life

I am Joanne, encircled by the people who nurtured and care for me when I was a child. They include my father Maurice, and my mother Venessa, who played the most vital role in my life, since they were the most important role models whom anyone could have emulated. Both parents ensured that my basic needs were met, as well as, provided me with the essential habits and morals needed to develop into the proud individual I am today. They were excellent disciplinarians, who cultivated and guided my development by providing a safe, yet challenging arena for me to learn how to interact with society.

Not forgetting my Godmother Eunicey, an individual chosen by my parents to take an interest in my upbringing and personal development. She too had played an integral part in my childrearing years. She helped to instill moral intelligence in me, which now defines my ability that reflects upon what it means to be a “good person,” as opposed to a “not so-good person.”

In addition to the people mentioned above, is my big sister Marion who loved and cared for me, by bringing unique strengths to our family’s relationship. As a child, she washed my clothes, combed my hair, helped with my homework, and showered me with gifts on special occasions like my birthday, or Christmas. This disciplinarian sister was extremely warm and supportive, who encouraged me to share ideas even when there were conflicts or misbehaviours.

Last, but not least, was my cousin Jean who was mostly involved in my social upbringing. I had many opportunities to enjoy children parties, school fairs, matinee, Saturday shopping at the vegetable market in the city, going to the beach, as well as attending Sunday school every Sunday.  She provided bridges to aspect of the outside world, by allowing me to experience and explore things as a child.

Obviously, it is a well known fact that the influence that was given during childhood remains forever and impacts on my life. Certainly, the values that were instilled in me have led me at the peak of success today, by having proper perspective on the value of education, hence, and having a well-rounded one. Also, I am provided with motivation and guidance throughout my life, by having respect, co operation, understanding and situation handling, peace, integrity, honest, and trust.

“Manners and behavior will carry throughout the world” is one memorable statement made to me as a child.  As an adult and now an educator I can see the wisdom behind those  simple eight words.

Joanne

 

WEEK 1: Reflection

                                                          WEEK ONE REFLECTION

Being placed in a group, it offered the need for my colleagues and I to co operate, as well as, making available the opportunity for all members with more precisely defined qualities to interact.  Undoubtly, by having a potentially diverse group of online learning community of high attainers, each member was able to share varying ideas and good practices. This has aided each other's self-esteem and commitment, and, developed the ethos of group work.

More importantly, it has encouraged coherence and consistency amongst group members, thus, ensuring that all have access to similar experiences and level of support. Our common purpose was understood by all, since each (members) was able to accentuate strengths and minimize weaknesses, so as to achieve our objectives.

ALL ABOUT ME: Personal and Professional

Informal interaction with some Grade 2 students

QUOTES ABOUT –

1.       Children – “The pastoral responsibility has been long defined as the core work of a school, enabling the child to develop as a student and an individual. In the past, many people perhaps regarded it as mainly concerned with discipline, but for some time now it has been clearly seen that effective whole-school pastoral care is an essential support for pupils’ learning.”

The Pastoral Head’s Handbook; Jeff Jones, Mazda Jenkin, Jim Andrews. (1999)

2.       Childhood – “The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that we once enjoyed ourselves.”

(Kahlil Gibran quote)

http://thinkexist/quotations/childhood

3.       Families – “Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly being graded for performance.”

(Milton R. Saperstein)

http://www.bring.com/search?q=families+quotes=MSN1-

4.       Early childhood – “In early childhood, you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future sight is safe.”

Lydia Sigourney

The title of a children’s book I love is: Hansel and Gretel; that is illustrated by Suzy-Jane Tanner.

The reason why I love this story book is because it is a see and say story book in which anyone can read along, using the handy picture word guide inside the back cover. It is a very colourful picture book, and the method used (see and say), is a tried and trusted way to engage children in the first stage of reading. They can say the picture words aloud, and this helps to build confidence and develop early reading skills.

A true story about one of my Grade one students that touched my heart

Jemeilia is a seven year old Grade one student at my school. She is experiencing difficulties at school, as it relates to her behavior. Her mother was particularly concerned with her inability to concentrate at school, and her involvement in disruptive behaviours. As a result, the school’s assigned counselor conducted several sessions on her, then referred her to a medical doctor so as to have a psychological assessment done.

However, she was seen at the child and adolescent clinic upon request of her mother. Unfortunately, her diagnosis was Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. In addition to that, her condition was impaired by a severe lack of structure in her social environment, as well as evidence of neglect and suggestions of physical abuse.

For that reason, she was placed on medication, with the aim of controlling her impulsivity, so that she could be able to function properly in school. Her intellectual functioning is below average, but can perform well if given the needed support.

Nonetheless, it was suggested that she should remain in an environment where a counselor is present to offer her some support. Likewise, teachers avail themselves to provide additional support when this becomes necessary.

This is an image of Jemeilia’s drawing. After her class teacher held discussions with her students on the topic, “My Family”, she asked them to draw the different members that are living in their family, and, this is what Jemeilia drew.

I have chosen this image because I know that Jemeilia has the potential to achieve, since children learn about the world in a variety of ways. However, it is especially important when a student can give a reflection of him/herself, strengths and weaknesses; as well as having some moral intelligence which has defined her as a “good person” , as opposed to a not-so-good student.

                                                    Jemeilia's drawing depicting her family

Destine To Win

I am Mrs. Joanne Lynch, a graduate teacher who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration. During my teaching career, I have taught at two different primary schools, where I spent six years at the first school, and, thirty years at the second school. Due to my long tenure at the latter school, I had the opportunity to teach at various levels, from the lowest grade (kindergarten) to the highest grade (Grade 6). In particular, I spent seventeen years (17) teaching Grade 2 students. Furthermore, it was at this school I have gained most of my teaching experience. My passion for children has motivated me to pursue my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, with interests to continue adding value to my students’ lives, and, the teaching staff at my school, positively influence and enhance the teaching services’ image, as well as, ensure that all objectives are met. Likewise, I will necessitate changes in classroom instructions, and promote growth in students’ learning. My challenges in the system were many but I persevered. I continued to exhibit qualities such as honesty, self-discipline, loyalty, fairness, persistence, determination, dedication, and respect. All these attributes have contributed to being the successful teacher I am today.

Undoubtedly, learning is a life-long pursuit, and as an educator, I need to be continuously educated, so, I have joined the online learning community, where I can work at my own pace, and increase my interaction, as it facilitates team learning. On the other hand, I am not familiar with all the aspects of technology used for online learning which will pose some difficulties when it comes to maneuvering the computer.