I Just Wanted to Say Thank You!

I know we are to say thank you to at least two classmates (and I will), however, I also wanted to thank everyone. I have learned from all your comments, posts, and blogs. You have taught me, helped me look at myself. and stretched me to look even further outside of the box than I already do. I wish you all the best of luck in your life's journey in developing, teaching, and loving our future society-our children.

It's All in the Relationships!

The information I gained on brain development and the effects of stress on that development is what is driving me to learn all I can about ways I can make a difference.


I have always dreamed of saving those children no one really sees. Now I feel I am equipped to do just that!

Final Thought on Testing

Curious kids learn how to learn and how to enjoy it-and that, more than any specific body of knowledge, is what they will need to have in the future.

Amanda Lang (Wright, 2013)

 Children need to play to learn and in my humble opinion it only makes sense to "play" to be tested or assessed. Sal Khan (2016) made a very good point in his Ted Talks presentation stating that even if a student receives a 95%  on a test there is still 5% that same student does not know in that one particular subject. Instead of teachers going back to reteach the 5% the student did not know we move onto the next subject. This may continue on and on always leaving 5% which adds up until the child hits a wall in a more advanced subject. The student then believes she/he was not meant to learn. What is suggested by Mr. Khan is to teach mastery education which is learning all there is to know and to make sure that each child knows 100% of the subject. Children love video games so there are now computer games that assess while the children play. When children do not know there are tests going on they are less stressed. We need to teach our children how to learn not how to memorize. 

Khan,S. (2016) Let's teach for mastery-not test scores. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/sal_khan_lets_teach_for_mastery_not_test_scores.

Wright, S. (2013). Academic teaching doesn't prepare students for life.  Retrieved from plpnetwork.com/2013/11/07/obsession-academic-teaching-preparing-kids-life/

Standardized Testing in China

I chose to look at testing in China for two reasons. The first is becasue I hear the U.S. is often compared to China and Japan in our educational strengths or lack of it. My main reason for looking at this country is because I am seeing more Chinese in my classroom and I had an interesting parent teacher conference with the father of one of my Asian students. Keep in mind my Head Start students are three years old and some are non-English speaking. I feel this little guy I am going to speak of is doing an amazing job with all his learning feats. As I spoke to the father about the various skills we look at in our program there were a couple of areas this little one "graded" lower due to the language barrier. What surprised me was when we spoke of a lower area the father would apologize for his son not doing better. I kept explaining this was completely normal for an English Language Learner and a three year-old. This whole long story to say, Chinese students face a highly competitive and stressful examination system (Rotberg, 2006).  In China it is all about the test because that is what gets you into college. The main problem is the rich are the ones who do well as they can afford to prepare the students for the test. The very rich families send their children abroad to learn to avoid testing all together (Lensen, 2011). High school curriculum is entirely based on preparing for the tests completely dominating all other material (Lensen,2011).


Lensen,B. (2011). Standardized testing in China: what it says about American college prep. Retrieved from http://www.straighterline.com/blog/standardized-testing-in-china-what-it-says-about-american-college-prep/

 Iris C. Rotberg(2006) Assessment Around the World November 2006 | Volume 64 | Number 3 NCLB: Taking Stock, Looking Forward Pages 58-63 http://nespap.unescobkk.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Assessment-Around-the-World.pdf

Uggg! Standardized Tests!

 This is a silly way to begin but often more true than not. As a "testaphobe" I feel we have got to come up with another way of assessing children's knowledge. Children must be assessed to gain insight to their knowledge but it must be the whole child not just the academic child. Research shows that some of the least engaged students are the highest achievers (Wright, 2013). The reason for this is becasue these students have learned how to "do school" yet are only retaining information for the test and then it is out of their heads. Passing these tests says a child is good at school but does not say this same child will grow to show empathy for other human beings, be able to manage money, or give back to the community. Schools need to do assessments in ways that the child does not necessarily know she/he is being tested. There are so many technology tools that can be used in-which the child feels she/he is playing a game. Teachers can use group project and portfolios as well as any tests that may be needed. To assess children in this fashion teaches the child how to learn which she/he will continue on into adulthood. We need to think of the child in our classroom not only as a kid we have for ten months but how we can educate who that child could grow up to be.

Wright, S. (2013) Academic teaching doesn't prepare students for life. Retrieved from plpnetwork.com/2013/11/07/obsession-academic-teaching-preparing-kids-life/.

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

 As a survivor of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome I have a special passion for those children who suffer as well. There is emerging evidence that the "toxic stress" , such as poverty, maltreatment, abuse, etc., interacts with genetic vulnerabilities to cause permanent structural and functional changes to the brain (Klein, Gorter & Rosenbaum. 2013. pg. 765). Those children who exhibit developmental problems such as ASD or FASD often receive support services. Children who develop issues due to stress factors, such as SDHD or ODD often do not receive support and carry damaging stigma. No real studies can be done in this area becasue the experiments would have to be conducted allowing abusive parents to continue to do so. Children who suffer these various stress factors often develop PTSD which goes diagnosed due to behavioral issues. The issues which may present themselves are learning disabilities, behavioral concerns, attachment issues, with-drawn, shyness, and so-on.  When a child acts out in the classroom we must look closely at what else may be going on.

Resource:
Klein, B., Gorter, J. & Rosenbaum, P. (2013). Diagnostic shortfalls in early childhood chronic stress: a review of the issues. Child: Care, health & Development. 39(6)765-771.

I would like to begin this personal story with complete respect for my parents who did the best they knew how. I was not a planned baby to two young parents but was welcomed and loved. However, the stress level for me growing up was pretty intense. One parent was depressed and the other was a walking anger time bomb that I was never sure when it would go off or for what reason. There were five children with me as the oldest so I took most of the brunt of the anger becasue I felt I needed to protect my siblings. I was intensely shy and terrified of most adults. I hated school and felt the safest being outside or in some imaginary world. My mother told me I had an IQ test, as was customary for the day, and I was way above average. I never felt "smart" and barely made it through each year with a passing grade, I struggle with this self-concept still today. Children often grow up with the self image they are taught as young children and I am no exception. I feel extremely disrespectful discussing my parents in this way becasue they grew and matured and, as I said before, did the best they knew how. I feel my young childhood was influenced by the stress in my household and it affected many aspects of my life, but I am strong and resilient and I worked hard to instill this into my own children and each of my students.  

The topic that I would like to address is access to healthy drinking water, something we pretty much take for granted here in the United States. If we have concerns about the water in our homes we are able to buy bottled water from various companies according to their method of production. Many third world countries are not as blessed. One country I would like to talk about is the Congo. I chose this country because I have had students who have come from the Congo and I wanted to see one more hardship they have had to endure, In 1998 there was a war known to many people as Africa's First World War (Shore. 2016). The war, among many things. was over minerals, water, and food. There was great destruction and due to this the infrastructure is limited at best making it impossible to pipe clean water to any more than 69% of the people. The places that due receive water get it from rusty and decaying pipes. The other 31% of the people drink from ponds and streams with water contaminated with  chemicals, waste, or bacteria. More people die from malaria, diarrhea, or malnutrition than violence in this country (Shore. 2016). There are not enough funds to improve the water pumping system. The well off are able to buy bottled water at $1 a bottle but the lower income families only receive less than $2 a day so this is not a luxury they can afford.
      So how does this pertain to us here in America? As I stated earlier, our water comes from clean pipes and there are no issues....right? Recently it was discovered in some of the schools in my home town district that the drinking and cooking water contains lead that measures beyond the legal limits. This causes great concern to me as both a parent and a teacher. The short term affects of lead ingestion can be delays in normal physical and mental development in babies and young children, slight deficits in the attention span, hearing concerns, and learning abilities in children. The long term affects can cause stroke and kidney disease and cancer. The governor of New York has made a mandatory law that all drinking and cooking water in schools must be tested to ensure lead levels are far below regulated levels. However, lead was found in some schools' water; how long has it been there, how many children have been affected?  I have to ask myself; is this part of the reason we are seeing so many of our inner city children with an IEP?

Resources
APEC Water. Drink water contaminants-lead. Retrieved from www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-contamination/lead-contaminants-removal-water.htm.
Shore, R. (2016) Water crisis-democratic republic of congo/ The Water Project Retrieved from https://thewaterproject.org/water-crisis/water-in-crisis-congo

I have been blessed with giving birth five times and each one was a different story, PLUS I was witness to the birth of my granddaughter as well. My birth's were all smooth and no complications before, during , or after. I was allowed awesome prenatal care with great health insurance. My children received good after birth care from the health profession for the most part with only a couple of hiccups. What I was lucky enough to do when I felt a doctor was not giving the children the right care was to change to someone else. One of my children had a speech problem and was given services before he was in school. Comparing my experiences with those I work with in Head Start is almost like night and day in many instances. I work with many immigrant families who were in situations we cannot comprehend and yet they are here and amazing. The issues for these little ones now is living in a culture that does not understand their language but also do not follow their customs causing many school dropouts and lack of employment. As I said, there is no comparison.

I chose the childbirth experence of those women who live in Burmese Refugee camps becasue these beautiful people are near and dear to my heart. I have had many Burmese students and so I was interested in seeing how birthing experiences compared with ours. Needless to say, there is no comparison. These refugees live in the camps of Myanmar because they are minorities, mostly Karen. They have little food and no real education. The mothers are unable to read and so cannot understand the instructions of any prenatal vitamins or directions they may possibly receive.  

The latest World Health Organization estimate of maternal mortality for Burma was over 250/100,000 live-births; infant mortality was 50/1,000 live-births, of which, two-thirds occurred in rural areas, and less than half of pregnant women delivered with a skilled attendant. (BNC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2011)

The children born in these refugee camps have no birth certificate and so they have no citizenship to any country making it difficult to impossible to leave the country so their chances are slim of a better life. many refugees are now being sponsored by other countries to give them a new home and a new start. We just do not realize ow lucky we really are here in this country sometimes.

Carrara, V,. Hogan, C., DePree,C., Nosten,F, & McGready, R. (2011). Improved pregnancy outcome in refugees and migrants despite low literacy on Thia-Burmese border: results of three cross-sectional surveys,  BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. Retrieved from http://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-11-45

Marco Herrera

Thanks you for being so hones about your anxiety level in the beginning of this class. Because of your honesty I was able to be honest with my anxiety as well both to myself and the class. I know your Head Start will benefit from your experence and I hope (despite the awful pay) you stick with it and give those babies all your love and support. Best of luck to you and I hope we have a class together again soon.

Lindie Kruger

I thought your posts were so encouraging and there was so much great information for me to take in and absorb. I felt we were basically the same type of teacher and that was reaffirming to me. I am excited for your future and believe you will do great things. I hope to see you in another class soon.

Sonja Jones

Sonja, thank you for all the kind words throughout out time together in the Early Foundations class. Your words of encouragement help me to believe I can go forward with my passion and hope. I pray you reach your full potential which I believe is vast. Best of luck to you and I hope to meet up with you in another class.

Passion

     We as educators are an important part of the Microsystem of every single child we have in our classroom, in after school programs, or extra-curricular programs we may be a part of. Knowing that I can actually help or hinder the development of a child's brain makes me realize how important my role is. It made me walk into my Head Start classroom differently today, though I have always been cognoscente of how I treat children given my own negative school experiences. At a recent in-service we discussed the rise in behavioral concerns across the country in our ECE classrooms and this week's discussions makes me wonder if this could be solved if more teachers, families, and caregivers were aware of how they are affecting a child's development.

6990 Capstone-beginings

Have you read Ruby Payne's work on children living in poverty? Dr.E 

Jennifer,

Thank you for reminding us of the critical influence and power we hold in the life of a child. Your last statement is a very powerful one. Have you noticed that in previous responses to discussions I have recommended all start a journal?

If you started a journal of passions- I suggest you including this because as you progress through each course you could build on this passion I think.

Your Capstone course 6990 will require you to state a challenge and craft 3 goals to impact positive social change. This might be something you would want to consider working on if you continue to have a desire to educate and spread awareness.

Dr. E

I love that you included your driving passion. This makes me think if you have not already started your journal of ideas- then now is the time to document this for the 6990 Capstone. You could start thinking now about 3 things that you could 'do' to impact social change. As you progress through each course you could read and research with this in mind.

  With the increase of ELL populations in U.S. schools, there has been a continued disparity and increase in the academic performance gaps of ELLs compared to their non-ELL peers. The increase in the academic performance gap has contributed to higher school dropout rates among ELLs. (Crumpler. 2014). This statement is becoming an issue not only for the students but the future of this country as these same students become adults with no real marketable skills. It is my opinion that we need to advocate for these students and listening to the speakers in this weeks resource material added fuel to the small spark I was sensing in my heart. This probably is not a very academic way to state this face but it is the way I feel.

DEC Code of Ethics Important to Me

DEC Code of Ethics 

•  We shall provide services and supports to children and families in a fair and equitable manner while respecting families’ culture, race, language, socioeconomic status, marital status, and sexual orientation. 

This is an ethical practice I strive for but find I need to practice and fine-tune more each year as my own biases are brought to light as I encounter new types of diversities within the classroom. I feel it is a good practice to often take a close look at my own thoughts and beliefs to see how it may be affecting my teaching style.

• We shall empower families with information and resources so that they are informed consumers of services for their children. 

At this point I have been trying to inform my families with information about the importance of their involvement with their children's education, even as young as their three year olds. I am not sure how many "hear" what these studies prove but I will continue.

• We shall respect families’ rights to choose or refuse early childhood special education or related services.

I have added this ethical point because it is one I struggle with. I find it difficult to not become frustrated with family members who choose not to pursue services for their children who would flourish with the proper support services. This is putting my own thoughts into it and I should not be so unprofessional in my thoughts though I never would say anything out -loud to the parents. My goal is to become more of an advocate for those families who choose not to agree to support services for their child.


DEC Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201720_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/dec_codeofethics.pdf

naeyc- Important Principles to my Future Work With Children

naeyc

I-1.10—To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program. 

This is a responsibility I take very seriously and I uphold it to the best of my ability. I try to inform my co-workers of any information I learn about the cultures represented within the classroom and have basic needs (i.e. bathroom, mom, dad, sick, play, eat, etc.) posted where all adults are able to view and use the languages in the room. I plan to learn on a continuing basis ways to better serve the immigrant families within my Head Start classroom.

I-1.11—To provide all children with experiences in a language that they know, as well as support children in maintaining the use of their home language and in learning English. 

This is an area I need to learn more about and start applying to the classroom. I do stress the importance of maintaining the home language to the families. At this point I am trying to advocate for the needs of the immigrant families and the rights their children have for their home language being represented within the classroom. This is a goal for me and why I am attending Walden, to become a stronger advocate.

P-2.5—We shall make every effort to communicate effectively with all families in a language that they understand. We shall use community resources for translation and interpretation when we do not have sufficient resources in our own programs.

A responsibility I am striving for is to better communicate with the immigrant families that attend the Head Start program in a language they can better understand. Many of the families may know limited English, however, we must remember English words often have many meanings and this can be confusing to new English languages learners. I need to strive to be a better advocate in this area as well.

nayce Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment Retrieved from

 https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201720_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/naeyc_codeofethicspdf.pdf

My Go-to Resources

Devereux: Center for Resilient Children. Retrieved from http://www.centerforresilientchildren.org/preschool/assessments-resources/the-devereux-early-childhood-assessment-preschool-program-second-edition/



Teaching Strategies. Retrieved from http://teachingstrategies.com/



Teachers Pay Teachers. Retrieved from http://teachingstrategies.com/




Pre-K Pages. Retrieved from http://www.pre-kpages.com/



Diversity in Early Care and Education: Honoring Differences (Fifth Edition). 
   written by Janet Gonzalea-Mena
    published by McGraw Hill

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org/
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
• Websites:
• • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP's mission.
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements

Part One-resources

• EYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478929741600856074/

                               Quotes on Passion for Early                                        Childhood Education

.......because I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution in the world, to fix all the injustices that existed in the world.
                         Louise Derman-Sparks

It's not all about you. You 'gotta' take your ego out of it and think about what's right for this child.
                          Renatta M. Cooper

Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The passion for early childhood. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu.

President William Clinton/ Quote

"Individual character involves honoring and embracing certain core ethical values; honesty, respect, responsibility..... Parents must teach their children form the earliest age the difference between right and wrong. But we must all do our part."
                                    President William Clinton

www.searchquotes.com/search/Bill_Clinton_Head_Start/

Over the past decade, the number of American families with working parents has expanded dramatically. Making high quality child care more affordable and accessible is critical to the strength of our families and to healthy child development and learning......each of us-- from business to religious leaders to policy -makers and elected officials-- has a responsibility and an important stake in making sure that children of all ages have the best possible care available to them. From infancy through adolescence, in child care settings and after-school programs, children can learn and thrive with the right care, attention, and education. 
                                                        President William Clinton
                                                                 
https://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/New?Childcae?acomplish.htm

Personal Childhood Blog

Matthew 18:10

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

I was not an overly happy child and so the first adult that comes to mind who protected me and kept me safe was Jesus and my belief in HIM. When I look back on my life I still see HIS influences and how HE guided me to where I am now. My passion for children not only in my classroom but all over the world is based on this verse in Matthew's Gospel from the Bible.

 I had put this picture up before but this is really a strong image of those who made me feel special and valued and still do today. These are my sisters and brother. We played together, we teased each other, we even fought with each other as siblings do. To this day we have each other's back as we go through life's storms. Out of the five of us, three are teachers and two are leaders (or bosses) of the area they work. We give each other ideas of how to try different approaches in what we are doing. From their example and support I am now pursuing my Master's.






  My parents were also ones who took care of me. They made sure I ate and had a roof over my head. They pushed me where I usually did not want to go because of my intense shyness and they still do from time to time now. The difference between then and now is I am more ready to go. They are so excited for me now and so proud becasue not only have I gotten my Bachelor's degree, I am now working towards my Master's as well. I will make number three in the family! 


This obviously is not a picture of my kindergarten teacher but she is the only one who stayed in my heart. I do not remember much from those days but my mother said I cried every day as I went to school. My school days were not a positive experence but Miss Weiss loved me through it. She even remembered me as I grew up and she would make a point of coming to say hello and ask how things were going when she saw me out in public. I think becasue of her I want to make a child's first school experence as positive and as less scary as I can. 

http://feedreader.com/online/#/reader/category/0/feed/12013941/

Teacher at Heart

Why do I stay in a job that I rarely ever see a finished product, is exhausting, frustrating at times, and pays so little? Because it is my heart! The joy in children's eyes when they learn something new can never be replaced. To make a child in poverty feel safe even if for just a few hours is priceless. To help children who, by no choice of their own, have come to a world where they cannot communicate to learn how to give voice to even the most basic need is exciting. To have a student come back to say hi, I miss you when they have moved on...wow! That is why I do what I do.

Edith and Mr. Bear

Create

I chose this drawing because of its innocence. What I mean by this is this artist drew what s/he sees people to be and not what an adult has taught him how to draw. The minute we as teachers draw a flower for a child is how that child will always draw a flower. We cannot take their creativity away. Paplo Picasso said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." (Retrieved September 10, 2016 from www.naturalchild.org/gallery). 

One Special Little Guy

There are so many children that have been in and out of my life which makes it hard to choose one story that really touched me. I do remember one little guy,Jonathan , who came to my classroom just three months after arriving from a refugee camp in Africa. He was an amazing little one and so advanced. He learned English very quickly and could speak both Urdu and English by the end of the school year. He had the most beautiful smile and his skin was a velvet smooth chocolate color. He always had a smile for me and a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. He amazed me with his resilience and joy at all the newness of his new environment. I wish we all could love life as much as he did.

Being Silly

This is one of my million favorite pictures- my son's wedding. I am the goofy one in the middle with the flower on my wrist. The rest of those goof-balls are my sisters and brother. We are a close family and always there for each other! I love them a lot

My Quote

Children-This World's Hope.

jennifer king

Shared publicly  -  Sep 10, 2016

This quote spoke to me because of the children I work with and plan to continue to work with. I am a Head Start teacher to the core and my passion are for those children in poverty and now also those who have immigrated to this country. We should never be too quick to judge, whether the child or the parent, because everyone has something they must overcome. 

jennifer king's photos

1

Add a comment...