Spoken by the Professionals 

"Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgment to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them." 

-Susan Bredekamp, NAEYC

Susan Bredekamp is a true advocate for ethical work in Early Childhood studies and education. Teaching others assuring proper procedures and needs to child development and learning is why I am excited to learn more about her and her accomplishments.

"Finally, learning occurs within the context of social relationships with other members of the community who have similar, if not identical, issues from the realm of practice." 

-Virginia Buysse, PhD

Virginia Buysse is well known in Early Childhood Studies and Education. Passion to advocate research and practice into the effectiveness of development and learning, she inspires me to take leadership and communicate in the community so that children are thought of, supported, and provided for as they begin to journey within their own social settings. 

"I wanted to fix all the injustices in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching" - Louise Derman-Sparks

Louise Derman-Sparks is a professional in Early Childhood Education. From when she was little she wanted to work with children. She stated, "I just always love kids". Her passion to work with kids who are in poverty and who do not receive the resources needed for development and learning is a real aspiration. Professionals like Derman-Sparks give motivation to help not just some children but to ALL children. 

This quote speaks to me. It not only points out the passion professionals and teachers have in development and learning to help children grow but it also proclaims that children have better opportunities in their future if they are given the same passion for learning as who is teaching them. It is a cycle. A teacher teaches a child and a child mimics. 

Personal Childhood Web

My Grammy & Pap-

My grandparents, John and Judy Bechtel, have created a foundation of faith and support for me since I was a child. Both, my grammy and pap have shown me that love, prayer, and a bowl of ice cream brings only good outcome when fear seems overwhelmingly powerful as a child. They have taught me the value of family, respect for others, and the importance of protecting those who we love. My grammy and pap are my idol. The influence they had on me was positive as it remains positive to this present day. By showing me good faith, love, and value, their nurture to me as a child has helped me relinquish fear as a child and has made me become a family oriented person and an ice cream lover.

My favorite memory of my grandparents is playing hide-go-seek in pap's garden with my sisters and my cousins, pap teaching me how to paint a picture, and smelling my grammy's perfume before we left for church -hawaiian ginger I believe. 

My Mother-

My mother, Cathy Bechtel has recently taught me that life is a journey. I am not made to please others but to please myself. Pursuing my own dreams is my own ambition and I make my own journey. For my mind, body, and soul I can only make myself happy. This is one of many lessons my mother has taught me. From childhood my mother has guided me through challenging times being my philosopher, greatest supporter, and my best friend. My mother, Cathy Bechtel raised my sisters and I as a single mother but she never lost her own happiness. By nurture, my mother never forgot to kiss me good night, tell me she loved me, and made the worst experiences into great memories. My relationship with my mother is my most cherished one. Reminding me my journey is my own, I journey not alone because I am given love, support, and guidance as I carry on.

My mother dancing and singing to 80's music from when I was little to now is my favorite memory. She always tells me to dance when things are rough and she always sings out loud to songs on the radio with her hands in the air. This is a reminder to have fun and let whatever is bothering you GO! 

 

Mama Johnna-

Johnna Sherrill is my mother's BEST friend. My mother and Johnna have been friends for nearly 30 years and she has been a part of my life since day one. Johnna Sherrill is a second mother to me. As she has watched me grow over the years, she has taught me that life can not be taken seriously ALL the time. her heart is big and her laughter is contagious. My relationship with Johnna is as close as my mother's and I. She has nurtured me the same ways my mother has and I admire her dedication and love toward me and my mother. She is always there, near or far. To this day, Johnna remains a part of my life. I learned to laugh and have FUN. I had a mother to look up to when going to my own mother was difficult. Nothing has changed. I honor her.

My favorite memory of Johnna is when we took a road trip years back. Playing games, talking, spending time together... I appreciate those times.

Mama Johnna and me

Ann & Garland Willis-

Ann and Garland Willis provided a safe haven for me at a time in my childhood where my parents were separating and I was scared. Spending time at Ann and Garland's house created stability and security allowing myself to explore their lake in the back yard and its scenery. Garland taught me that in order to make a dollar you have to work for it (meaning to go get him a cup of coffee and I got a dollar). Ann encouraged education on me and independence. She was the first elderly woman in my life who showed me warmth, thoughtfulness, and friendship as she and Garland were also showing the same to my mother and my sisters.

Ann and Garland Willis are no longer alive but the memories of their home and the security I felt when I was a child is a legacy I hold close to my heart.

Garland teaching me how to canoe, fish, and untangle seaweed is my greatest memory. Campfires and golf cart rides to the mailbox are memories I think of and still laugh about...

   

What is real, What is seen, What makes me who I am

What is REAL

The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit is my favorite childhood story. A story of a stuffed animal loved so much by a young boy is an empowering statement that what we feel inside is REAL. This young boy loved his stuffed rabbit so much that despite all odds of being an original shelf toy and discarded by misfortunate events, true love made this rabbit REAL. The Velveteen Rabbit has not only taught me how to love and appreciate others but to also take care of others whether they are friends, family, or stuffed animals. As a child, like the young boy, I loved my animals until their features faded and became ragged. Learning to love is important, especially as a child. Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit (1922) is a great book that I, as an adult now, enjoy sharing with my nieces and nephews as well as other children I have watched grow over the years.

What is seen

A child has a vivid imagination. It is through art that a child can express what they feel on the inside exercising their imagination in ways others are left wondering. The image above was drawn by a young student in Turkey. Similar drawings much like this one catches my attention because it can represent the child's expression, behavior, or where the imagination can lead that child. Every child is unique but when it comes to finger painting, using imagination is a key role in child development. It is pictures like this that show us how imaginative a child can be. What do you see?

What makes me who I am 

I am a twin. Being a twin makes me who I am because I know no other way of living without reassurance I have someone with me. My twin sister Amber (left) is my rock and my greater influence in life. She has protected me, yelled at me, shared with me, and has ultimately been there for me when I was lost. As children, we did everything together! Today, we still remain close and she will forever inspire me to do great, remain strong, and be myself. 

  

Amber (left)  Me (right)

First, I would like to insert a quote that states, "Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victors being severely tested" (author unknown, n.d.).

As I reflect and share, blogging is new to me. Searching and figuring out how to get this far (creating an account and actually writing this blog) I was tested. I was lucky. Learning something new is never easy but it is never a valid excuse to quit. Beginner's luck is deciding to wrangle an issue and follow through. Surprisingly, it runs smooths leaving a good feeling in the stomach. In my case, I wrangled my first blog, never gave up, and I feel good in this search.

As I grow as a blogger,  self-reflection and exchanging experiences will embrace opportunity and interaction. As the opening quote states, victors will be tested. Beginner's luck simply turns into knowing (by searching) and knowing streams from what is seen and shared. What opinion is presented or what stories are posted, search for opportunity, interaction, experience, and reflection are imperatively tested by either parties.

Overall, as my first blog I just want to include that beginner's luck is what I am playing with. And as I continue to blog I will become a victor despite the struggles of becoming a blogger.

CassieLynn630