Olenda Ingram
Words of Inspiration and Motivation
I really enjoyed this weeks assignment concerning passion and education. Education is such a broad subject to discuss but early childhood development peeks my passion.
I was able to study or at least read about two different people – male and female that influenced my passion by their quotes. Lyndon B. Johnson and Susan Bedekamp were or have been instrumental in the study and development of early childhood learning.
Lyndon B. Johnson quoted this “Until justice is blind to color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men’s skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but nota fact. This quote is inspirational to me on so many levels because educational leaders all have their own viewpoint and agenda that specificaly target certain races and thinking that one race is more superior than others.
I agree with Mr. Johnson that education should see no color and just meet the identified needs of the learners.
Another quote that sparked my passion was where he quoted “Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity.”
I believe if a person is given the opportunity to learn then you have helped them discover many opportunities and possibilities to make their mark and contribution to society. It would be one thing if you gave a person one million dollars and they were never exposed to investing money through learning; then the money would not be used in the most resourceful way. Education affords the person the opportunity to have the knowledge and apply that knowledge where it is most beneficial. This is where education now becomes an opportunity.
Susan Bedekamp is another person I chose to quote. Her passion is very evident as it relates to early child care. She is all about the child being able to dictate their learning environment. One quote I agreed with strongly is where she quoted “child-initiated activity is all that’s important and that teacher-directed instruction or any form of teacher-directed activity is not appropriate.”
Her second quote “The fact that not only do you have to consider children as individuals, but you also have to consider children as members of groups with their own cultural identities.”
Children employ their surroundings and culture to the way they learn. They have to know and develop in their thinking is shaped by educators orchild care providers but will look from within their culture (as adults) as well as group associations to mark what theyare and who they
Ms. Bedekamp reallyinspired my passion to let children be children and learn as children. A thriving early childhood learner is a pleasant thing to see like a fresh breath of air.
I desire that all children have an equal oppotunity learning experience and it is my drive and passion to make that happen.
Renatta M. Cooper is an early childhood specialist that I was able to listen on the multi-media file and she quoted that “every year there were specific problems that targeted children and their families”. One problem she faced was a child and a dying parent and how she had to problem solve that matter in the best interest of the child. Renatta challenged me to look beyond scope and seek out other issues not directed to education but that could potenitailly impact education. I would initiate family planning into my program that would identify needs such as this one.
Leticia Laura was the second person I was able to view from the multi-media file and she was a Liscensed Social Worker who was more values and beliefs driven. She wanted to meet the pscycho-social needs of the child as prescribed by her profession. My interest lie as well in the whole well being of children. I would incorporate counseling services within my center to make sure at least most if not all of the children’s needs are met. Leticia challenges me to be inspired by my passion and to let it reflect in my profession.
olendaingram 