Inspirational Quotes

"I have the opportunity to issue grants to 8 preschools throughout the county of Los Angeles and specifically the intention of these grants is to train parents on how to learn and advocate for their children."
Sandy Escobido

"Everyday I go to work I look forward to it because I know the services I am providing to children it's to their benefit it's not anything that is going to benefit me it is going to benefit them."
Raymond Hernandez

" Perhaps the largest impact of licensing standards is that they establish a market value for child care in the community and they establish a local standard of what quality is..."
DR. Susan BredeKamp 2001

My Personal Childhood Web

My Birth Mother- I have never met this woman but she did nurture me for nine months. I feel her decision to put me up for adoption has had the biggest influence on me my whole life. By giving me up for adoption my birth mother gave me my parents who have been the best influence and support system in my life!

My Dad- Dad had a big influence on my childhood and life. We did everything together; cut the grass, raked the leaves, painted porches, read the comics, watched cartoons, worked in the garage, read books, among plenty of other things. He taught me that I was capable of doing anything that I put my mind to. Dad lost his job of 29 years when I was young and went through many jobs and unemployment for years. During this time he kept his head up, stayed strong, and made sure that my family knew no matter what happened we would be ok. This time period had the biggest influence on my life. I am going through a hard time in right now, but what I learned from Dad during those rough years, I know everything will be ok and workout with patience. Dad passed away 10 years ago, but I know he is still a strong presence in my life and is still by my side supporting me in anything that I do. Thank you Daddy for staying strong and being a positive influence in my life!

My Mom- Mom has been a big influence in my life. She was a stay at home Mom until my sister and I started school. Even when she did go back to work we didn’t realize it because she left for work after she got us on the school bus safely and was home to greet us when we got off the bus. When I was not helping Dad, I was busy helping Mom in the kitchen. My fondest memory is standing on the kitchen chair helping her make bread. Since Mom stayed at home she made many things from scratch to save money. She taught me my love for cooking! As I was growing up my Mom, and Dad, supported me in the decisions I made, even if she knew they were not going to work out. If they didn’t work out she was there to help through my disappointment. To this day she gives me positive guidance, support, and encourages me to excel in life to my fullest extent.

 Both Mom and Dad taught me to be grateful for the things I have and to treasure the people in my life. They made/make sure I knew how special I am to them and how grateful they are that I became part of their lives.

My Grandparents- Sorry I can’t talk about just one of them. They are all very special and I cherish every moment I was able to spend with them. They all taught me the value of having a good work ethic. I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s houses growing up. My Moms parents owned a print shop, in their row house, just north of Baltimore. I can remember Pop-Pop sitting at the press printing things to stock the shelves with. He worked 6 ½ days a week, but he never missed a meal with his family. Nana worked in the store helping customers find what they needed and ringing them out. Both of them were well respected in the community. When I was around the age of 10 they had to sell the store and move to an apartment. That is the first time I was exposed to the word Alzheimer’s disease. Pop Pop started to go down hill quickly. The support, love and togetherness of my family made this period easier to get through. My dad’s mom, Grammy, worked at a department store called Hutzler’s until she was in her mid- seventies. When she retired she came to live with us and was a huge help to my parents. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and watched over my sister and me when my parents were out. All three of my grandparents were hard workers and taught me to do the best job possible and never take a job for granite. But the major thing I learned from them was the importance of having a close family. I see them as the backbone of our family during many rough periods in or life.

 
Anne Bishop- I know I am suppose to be writing about people who were influences in my childhood; however, I need to include Anne. She was one of the biggest influences in my life as I started my career in Early Childhood Education. She was the Director at the first preschool I worked at and is a very good friend of my to this day. When I started working at the preschool I had received my Associates degree, dropped out of the local University, and was working a second job at night to make ends meet. Anne saw the potential and passion I had in the field. She quickly started to encourage me to return to school and get my degree. After several years I finally listened and returned to college, boy were my parents ever grateful! While I was in school and working Anne continued to give the support and resources I needed to be successful in my career and education. I am not sure who was more proud the day I picked up my degree Anne or my Mom. Anne saw something in me the day she meet me and took it and ran. I have to say if it was not for her I would not have gone back to finish my degree. When I told her I was going back to get my Master’s I knew she was very proud of me.

Inspirational Quotes

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove ... but the world maybe different because I was important in the life of a child." - Kathy Davis

“To teach is to touch a life forever.” ~Author Unknown

Both of these quotes represent the dedication and passion I have for Early Childhood Education. I may not make a lot of money in this profession, but the difference I make in a child’s life is the motivation I need to be the best teacher and advocate that I can be!

9-11-2001

Since I have not been in the classroom in several years I do not have any pictures of artwork form my previous students; however, several paintings, Duplo and block creations, from my 3-year-old class, are still very vivid in my mind. We were in our second week of school when 9-11 happened. When we returned to school several days later one little boy spent a longer time at the easel then normal, when he was finished he called me over to look at his picture. He said, “Look Ms. Snyder I painted a picture of the buildings falling down and here are some angels.” Another child came running up to me later that week very excited and proud and said, “Look Ms. Snyder I rebuilt the buildings that fell down!” I can write several more stories like these that occurred that Fall. Even though I do not have the painting or the buildings the children created, I will always remember how they worked through their feelings and tried to “fix” what happened. It goes to show that you are never to young to understand the devastation of an event and the empathy they feel.

My Favorite Children's Book

It was very hard for me to narrow down all of my favorite children's books to just one. I love Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, among many others. So I finally narrowed it down to two; “Oh the Places You’ll Go” (Dr. Seuss) and “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear” (Don Wood). I love that way Dr Seuss starts off the story “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” The encouragement, excitement, and power of this statement makes me excited to keep reading the story as I see the children’s eyes light up. I also love the illustrations, as I do with all of Dr. Seuss’s books!


When I read “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear” I make the book interactive by asking the children what they think the little mouse is going to do to protect the strawberry and where they think the bear is hiding waiting to eat the red ripe strawberry. The ideas they come up with are incredible. I love to encourage children to use their imagination.

               

Excited and Nervous

I am so excited to begin this journey! It has taken a long time for me to take this step and I am glad I finally did! I am apprehensive and nervous about what I am taking on, yet I am confident that I will succeed.