Week 1 Issues and Trends....It's a small world after all

"...It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. It's a world of hope and world of fears. There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all"

This week I have been asked to correspond with an early childhood professional outside my own country of the United States. I am looking forward to this because I have always believed that humans have more similarities than differences. I also believe in broadening one's worldview. I refer to a quote from one of my favorite movies, Harriet the Spy. (yes I have read the book but feel the movie is better) In the movie, Golly, Harriet's nanny, is taking the children to meet a friend of her's. The children are a little wary but Golly reminds them, "There are a million ways to live as there are people in this world. And each one deserves a closer look." 

I began my search by asking friends who took this course what they did. I was told to utilize Facebook. I did. I also realized I work with people who know people overseas, so i asked them for help as well. I am please to announce both methods yielded results. I have made contact with my people and I am awaiting there response. I am excited to learn from them.  


As for exploring a website....I am having trouble choosing. I tried to look at the NAEYC site a while ago but  found it confusing. I thought about maybe WACAP.org because this is the agency that helped my parents adopt me. but then I back off from that idea as well. There's the Global Fund, teacher sites. I don't know each time I click on one I think, I can do this, but then I can't decide as I begin to like many. 
I wish i was more decisive.

Good Luck everyone! May we make the world a little smaller.

Week 6 My Supports

I am so blessed to have many supports in my life. I didn't always feel this way.

 Once upon a time I worked 3pm to 12am at my center. It was one of the worst times in my life.  One of the reasons it was one of the worst times is because I had no support or understanding. There was only one other adult in the building with me and she was of no help, the last staff members get off at 7pm.  The day shift people treated me like a servant.  Nobody had ever done my job before and did not know anything about the reality of working nights. I had no guidance. No guidelines from the administration or my fellow night teacher. It was just the worst.  There are other factors that made it horrendous – but my point it I know from experience what it is like to not have support. Time has passed since then and my life has turned around.

So let us begin the happy portion of this post. 

    

My Team  Rachael and Jessie 

I have two main supports at work.  Rachael and Jessie.  They are all of the most wonderful, magical words two people can embody. Supportive, friendly, creative, funny, caring, thoughtful, rainbows, and  unicorns. They have been working at the center longer than I have and they are always there to help me out and sort through problems. In truth they are some of my most awesome friends.  What would life be like without Rachael and Jessie? AWFUL. I have only experienced it in small doses when they are not working and it sucks.  Who would I visit? Who would I share and steal ideas from slash with? Who would make me happy? I am done with these negative thoughts…..onto the next. 


 I find support in music. I find messages in songs that support me in any given situation.  I am supported by myself because I have been journaling since I was a little girl. Writing is amazing because it is so much at once: reflection, coping, problem solving, prayer, memory, and more. 

 

Saint Gabe's - My place 

Saint Gabriel Catholic Church has been my home since I was 10 years old.  My faith is important to me in ways that words and thoughts can not adequately express. So I won’t. On the other hand my church family is easily expressible. In short they’ve got my back.   

 

A blurry picture of my fam from 2009  

As always I am supported by my family. I never get tired of talking about them.  Since the dawn of time (well at least my time;) my family has listened to me and cared for me and offered help. They teach me about things.  They let me figure things out. They comfort me.  They play with me. All the things a family does they do for me.  

Feeling Supported is so important. In work and regular life knowing there are people who care is the best.