Inspirational and Motivational Quotes

Quotes

These quotes are just a part of what helps me stay motivated, inspired, passionate and focused. I will be adding more quotes as I find the ones that really resonate with me. I hope you can find some inspiration in some of these. 

“You can't be what you can't see.” 
― Marian Wright Edelman

“Failure is just another way to learn how to do something right.” 
― Marian Wright Edelman

“Don’t feel entitled to anything you don’t sweat and struggle for” 
― Marian Wright Edelman

“Our greatest hope is that it’s not just the responsibility of parents and individuals with intellectual disabilities to be advocates and ambassadors but the classmates, the co-workers, the neighbors, the members of religious communities”.

Ann Turnbull Ed. D.

Turnbull, A, (2009). Attitudes Toward the Intellectually Disabled Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111781649 http://dellarcecehepburnplayandlearn.blogspot.com/2015/09/motivational-quotes.html

In seeking to identify an appropriate topic for my presidential address, I concluded that I would focus on what I think is my rather unique contribution to the developmental disabilities field: a morphed perspective, namely, wearing two hats—professional and family. As I have reflected on the process of wearing two hats, I realize that I have ended up with a single hat, one—a morphed one—that combines my professional and family perspectives in ways that create a new framework for my thinking, research, and teaching.

Ann Turnbull Ed.D. https://aaidd.org/docs/default-source/about-aaidd/turnbull-presidential-address.pdf?sfvrsn=2

"It's not all about you. You have to take you out of the equation and do what is best for the child." - Renatta M. Cooper

 Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The passion for early childhood. Baltimore: Author.

"I'm not here to save the world, I'm here to make a difference in my community, one child at a time." - Raymond Hernandez MS Ed

 Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The passion for early childhood. Baltimore: Author.

“If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.” – Nelson Mandela

Retrieved from Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom by Nelson Mandela

Personal Childhood Web

I want you all to know a little bit about my family. They are the ones who influenced, loved and nurtured me into who I am today. They are part of what makes me special and they are very dear to me. I can't imagine my life without them being a part of it. 

From left: Me, my mom, my brother, my cousin Patrick, my cousin Jandy and my Aunt Carolyn

Three of the most influential people in my life are in this picture. They are all still in my life and I am thankful everyday that they are still here for me.

My mom- My mom spent all of my young childhood at home with me. She did work when I started school but was always home before I got home. She was always there for me and she still is to this day. She was the mold that keep us all together. She taught me to be loving and caring. I can only hope my children think I am as loving as she is.

My dad- My dad was in the Army well into my teenage years. We moved about every 3 years. He preached common sense and wanted us to be well-rounded. He taught us to always have a back-up plan. He was the force that drove us to be better. He believed firmly in education, therefore, we never had jobs during high school. He invited us to live at home while going to college so we didn't have the extra stress of paying bills. I am a strong independent woman because of him. Although he is gone, he is still the force that drives me today.

My brother- My brother is 6 years older than me. I was born 5 days before his 6th birthday. I think we share a special bond because our birthdays are so close together. He has always been there for me. When I was a baby, he helped my mom take care of me. When I was school-age, he walked me to and from school.  As we got older, he would drive me to school. He was my protector when our parents weren't around. He put up with me and let me play with him and his friends. There were only a few times I can remember when we didn't get along or he simply didn't want me around.  We live far from each other. I'm in Arizona and he is in South Korea. We keep in touch through emails but we both know we are here for each other when the need arises.

My cousin- My closest cousin is in the picture I posted above. She was my first best friend. We are about two years apart. We spent as many vacations together as we could growing up. We bonded early over feeding the pigs on our grandparent's farm. The farm is where our mom's grew up. We would play and giggle anytime we were together. In adulthood, we spent less time together. We had a nice visit last year and it was like we were the same giggling kids. Nothing will ever change our bond.

My grandmother- My grandmother was an amazing person. I miss her and my dad daily. She passed away 6 months after my dad. We feel she couldn't take losing my father since he was the baby. She was 93 and was the center of our family. Her house was the gathering place for all of us and always felt like home. She was my playmate when my older cousins ran off to go play. I was the youngest on my dad's side of the family and didn't have a cousin near my age. We would play card games or dominoes. Many memories were made at her house and she cherished every one of us. My favorite gifts from her were the ones she made. I remember her asking me when I was in my early 20's what I wanted for Christmas and I told her I still wanted something she made because they were my favorite gifts. That year, we exchanged gifts that we both made for each other. I still have things around the house that she made or things that were once hers.

Welcome to my blog!

Here are a few things I wanted to share with everyone about myself. The first thing I wanted to share is my first passport photo. This photo holds a lot of meaning for me. I was born in East Africa. My father was part of an Army unit and worked in the small hospital. He helped deliver me. I've always kept a special interest in my birthplace. I wasn't old enough when I left to remember anything about it. I asked my parents questions. They would tell me stories. I did my own research. When I was younger, I would just tell people I was born in Africa. At that time, that was enough. I would get comments such as "Wow" or "Cool". As I got older, I would tell them I was born in Ethiopia because then I would get the assumption that I was from South Africa. I was old enough by then that I knew I didn't want to be associated with the ruling people during Apartheid. My birth certificate reads Asmara, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Africa. Eritrea is its own country now. Their people are quite oppressed. I wouldn't be welcomed there. Now I'm back to saying East Africa. It's easier. If you have any questions; I have a few stories.

My favorite childhood book is "I'm Terrific" by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. The book is about Jason Everett Bear. He's a self-absorbed bear who gives himself a gold star for everything he does and tries to be something he is not.  He learns about sharing and just being himself.
                                               
I read this book as a child and I still love it today. I holds the same relevance as it did then. Young children everywhere should have this book read to them.

This photo was taken in 2014. This is one of my students I've had since Preschool. She is 3 in this picture. When I first met her, she was literally put at my feet sobbing because she just woke up from a nap. This girl did not like being woke up from nap. It took A LOT to get her to come around after what she felt was a "rude" awakening. We tried everything. I did figure out she was a sensory driven child. I also talked with the parents and we developed a plan that would help all of us. Long story short, we bonded. This sobbing, blubbering child became sweet but independent child. Look at that shape person! That's her ballerina. HER BALLERINA. If you think for 5 seconds I had anything to do with that, you're crazy. Think typical 3 year old "I can do it myself" and she did. Also think 3 year old being told to hold the picture in front of you so I can take a picture of you with your masterpiece (Duh, Mrs. Trish, that's what you asked). It's 2017. She's in the first grade. I'm in there also. Love her. I wouldn't trade watching her grow for anything. I'm blessed. She's just one story, one child. I have so many more that make my day.

Focus on the whole child

What is the whole child approach and how is it achieved?
Focusing on the whole child means the school provides an environment that is safe, engaging, supporting and challenging. I was lucky enough to find such a school for my youngest child. Not only did I fall in love with it for her, but I also fell in love with it myself. I knew after her first year there in Kindergarten that I wanted to be a part of it. The sense of community and family was inspiring. A couple of years later, I found myself working in the best school environment I have ever encountered. I was not under the pressure of too many kids in one class or teaching to the standardized testing. I was able to be hands-on. I was able to feel free and inspired. Not only do we teach our children the foundations of learning, but we also teach them care and respect of all people and things. I have been lucky enough to see our youngest of students grow into beautiful intelligent people by starting with them in preschool and following them up to 1st grade this year. I anticipate I will follow them on to 2nd grade. I have formed bonds with students, parents, and co-workers that I would not trade for anything. I feel lucky to be a constant, familiar person in the classroom for my students. I can only hope they feel as half as lucky as I do!