Words of Inspiration and Motivation

 

•Quotes or excerpts from writings or speeches

Edward Zigler, Aiding in formation of and first director of Head Start

“High hopes made Head Start possible. Some of the hopes of the mid-1960s were naïve; some led to inflated promises that no social program could possibly deliver. But we need to recapture the hope, to believe once more that it is possible to set the next generation of American children and families on a course toward a better life” (Zigler).

Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of Children’s Defense Fund

“It is time to call the moral question about whether America truly values and will stand up for children not just with words but with work; not just with promises but with leadership and investment in child health, early childhood education, after-school programs and family economic security; not just with a speech or photo opportunity, but with sustained positive commitment to meet child needs.” (Edelman)

 •Quotes about passion, motivation, and wisdom from the professionals

Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus Pacific Oaks College, CA

“The passion to create a safer more just world for all kids is there and I suppose will be there until I die maybe even after that.” (Sparks)

Sandy Escobido, Deputy Field Director Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative California Community Foundation

“Purpose of grants is to train parents how to advocate for their children.  So when I go to these meetings and actually see parents learning how to speak to policy makers, learning to write letters, learning how to tell their story and share their voice that is what keeps me motivated regardless of all the challenges going on.” (Escobido)

Leticia Lara, LCSW Regional Manager Outreach and Professional Development Zero to Three

“Parents needs supports with resources and access to resources parents can thrive.” (Lara)

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). The Passion for Early Childhood

[Webcast].  Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Neugebauer, Roger. (2010, May/June). The Start of Head Start. Exchange, 20-21.  Retrieved from www.childcareexchange.com. 

Wright Edelman, Marian.  ().  Needed: A Massive Moral Movement to Leave No Child Behind.  Intercultural Development Research Association.  Retrieved from www.idra.org.

Personal Childhood Web

Harry I Greene Jr. is father and the main provider for my family. When I was born my father was forty –five years old.  He passed away two years ago from cancer that no one knew he had not even him.  Being the youngest out of six children I was often thought of as the favorite by my older siblings and a daddy’s girl.  My father always showed his love and care for me by telling me that he loved me every day and very active in my academic journey. 

Maggie L Greene is my mother and the person who ran all household affairs.  When I was born my mother has forty years old.  She passed away six years ago from a heart attack in her sleep.  My mother worked every day but made sure that everything was clean in the house and all needs were met.  My mother showed her love for me by spending time with me and took me on trips with her every year to different states for weeks at a time.

Jacqueline M Greene- Sherrod is my next to oldest sister.  She is twenty years older than me and is like a second mother to me.  My sister had a daughter that is one year older than I am and we were raised together often times thought of as sisters.  My sister was always taking pictures of my niece and myself.   My sister is a kind person and cares about my welfare.

Phillip D Greene is my youngest older brother he is sixteen years older than me and I miss him greatly. He passed away three years ago after a twelve year battle with renal kidney failure.  Phil was my favorite brother; he was the one who taught me that I had to be tough and not a cry baby.  He would always fight with me in order to ensure I could handle myself if the need ever aroused.   While my brother sought to see that I could take care of myself and make me a little tougher, he was displaying his love for me by not wanting to see anything happen to me.

Margaret Greene-Hoard is my youngest older sister; she is thirteen years older than I am.  She was the baby girl until I came along and I think she has issues with that because while she cares about my well-being I can see so jealousy with her when it comes to me and the things that our parents gave me or allowed me to do and have.  While we were close growing but as I got older and she moved and married, we drifted apart and only talk maybe once a month.  While our relationship is strained, there is still love because that is what our parents taught us and our father told us that we have to look out for each other despite any differences.

 

 

 

I don't like to take pictures but here is a picture I took just a few days ago just for this blog. 

"Together we can make a difference" This is a motto that I like from a child care center I consulted with for the past two years.  I think this motto is a strong one and says alot.  When I asked the owner how she came up with the motto, she said that it is through parents aiding in the reinforcement of skills children learn with in care make a powerful team and together it can only be a positive outcome.

I may have her interpretation mixed up but for me when I think on this motto I smile on the inside because I know that this statement speaks volumes.  Whether it be through community actions, child advocacy, parent, child, teacher, interactions, by working together and being a cohesive unit makes a difference and is nothing but a powerful force to change a laws, policies, academic standards, or a life.

This is a book that I feel in lloved just from the title alone.  This book tells every child that reads or is read this book that they were made by God and are important.  Sometimes it is the little things that we say as educators whether it is through various activities, gestures, or words of encouragement that make the biggest difference in someone's life.  In today's world many children are shuffled from one place to the next and given so little attention that they not shown the proper attention and love they crave and deserve.  Everyday I hug all my children, tell them I love them and give them all the individualized love and attention so they know they are special and important to me.

Professional, Educator, Nurturer, Compassionate, Empathic, Communicator

 

My name is Quandra Greene and I have been in the early child care field for over 12 years. During the course of my career I have experienced all faucets within the field as well as deepened my educational journey. While working in the field I have had the pleasure of holding several positions that also require wearing the hat to others. I have been a child care aide, teacher, cook, custodian, transporter, director, owner/operator, elementary school substitute, child care licensing specialist for the state of Maryland where I regulated 130 licensing child care homes, centers, and school age programs until I retired and am currently a child care consultant. Out of every position or title I have held I have also loved to interactions I have and share with the children and the personalized attention I get to give to each family in an effort to ensuring that their every need is meet, questions answered, and concerns addressed. I then I can truly say that working in the field offers many challenges as well as its rewards. The most challenging experience I can say is to employ the right educators that embody the core of the learning environment you are trying to create and maintain. An environment that children and the families served feel is catered to their individual needs. The most rewarding experience in working in this field is the impact you have on the developing lives of the children you have in your care.

As I moved through the various positions my level of expertise grew as well as my thirst for additional knowledge. After 5 fives in the field I pursued and acquired my Associates of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Teacher Education. After I retired from state service due to medical reasons, I still needed to be a part of the field and keep up to date on the current trends in the field. That is when I enrolled in Walden University and earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Child Development and decided to continue on and pursue my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies. I look forward to my current educational journey in the persuit within the Master’s program and hope that all of my experiences and previous educational knowledge aide me. I can say that the only challenge I may have and have always had when it comes to school is time management. Even with the ease of taking online courses, time seems to never be on my side these days. But I always make it work out and have a plan developed in my head that will work if I can be discipline enough. I hope the course along with the others outline in this program empower, enlighten, and embrace the fostering educator that I am.