RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

“Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development” (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).

As I think about this quote and positive relationships that I have, I can't help but to think about the impact that have had on my life.
The relationship I have with my husband, Duwayne has has helped to develop many strong characteristics within me. He is my motivator and coach. He is very analytical and offers practical and realistic advice to many of the challenges that I face.
My best friend from college, Anjalon, is another person that I have a  postive relationship with. We share many of the same experiences. We are both educators so we understand the obstacles that we both face with our jobs. We just click and when we talk we talk for hours. We understand that our lives are busy so we don't talk everyday but we know that our friendship will always be there.
Tawana is my best friend from elementary. We inspire each other. I admire her because of her strength as a single parent and her drive to take care of her children by putting them first and making them her priority. She ofter tells me how I have inspired her by my life story and how it continues to give her hope to endure.
The last person I have a positive relationship with is my first cousin, Hursel. She is my free counselor. She has so much insight and knowledge about many things. I ofter go to her when need a listening ear or a problem solved. She offers advice from children to work.
The relationships I have with all of the people listed above have helped to develop me. The good and bad parts of the relationships have developed me into who I am and I am ever grateful for these special people.

One Quote that resonates with me, especially this school year is the be quote by Dr. Hiam Ginnot which states that "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." Whatever we do or say around children will make an impression. I can't forget the first day of school this year. I walked into the classroom and a teacher told a student that I was the principal and he would be seeing a lot of me this year. I responded by saying he is going to have wonderful year. That student is struggling emotionally in that particular classroom and the teacher is having a hard time connecting with this child. Imagine if she had stated to this child, this is Mrs. Robinson and you are going to have a great school year.  "A characteristic of the normal child is he doesn't act that way very often,"Author Unknown. This quotes provides understanding into the diverse behaviors of children and an understanding that all children are differnet.

Testing for Intelligence

Assessments are important and give a plethora of information for the student. The information gathered changes depending on the type of assessment given. Of course there are factors that need to be considered when assessments are given such as, is the child tired, scared, fearful, comfortable, hungry, etc. Some assessments test content areas, especially literacy or math, intelligence, physical development, emotional development, etc.  My belief is that assessments are important. They at least give me a foundation to further explore. These assessments can lead to one finding a delay that a child needs more support or some huge emotional issue that leads to a child receiving counseling services. In my school, we use the assessments in various ways. We have a wait and see model that we follow after completing a screening prior to the beginning of the year. If informally, teachers observe physical or cognitive issues with a child then they assessments will be used as documentation to show the need for further support. We also use the assessments to develop the learning path or learning groups.  I definitely believe in looking at the whole child and assessments, whether formative or summative.

Children in Uganda began being assessed in 1996. They are assessed by using the National Assessment of Progress in Education (NAPE). This assessment can about because students had only been assessed when testing for secondary education. During the same time as the implementation of this national assessment, also came universal primary education. Students were required to attend school which made for many challenges. These challenges caused scores on the national tests to decrease. However, there were no tests for social- emotional or physical development mandatory.

Birthing Experience

I started feeling contractions around 5:14 a.m. I slowly got out of bed and charted the contractions. By 6:00 a.m. we were at the hospital and I was admitted. I had dilated to 5. I called my mother who then called all of my sisters and a few select church members. This was my first birth and my husband and I were both excited. I was given an epidural which numbed me from my waist down. At 7:18 p.m. we were parents of a healthy baby boy, what a joy. My stay at the hospital was pleasant. I had visits from a nutritionist, clergy and various other support staff. I received a case of books from the state of Michigan. I believe it was called ready to read. My son received the best of care and I was released two days later.

In reading about pregnancies in Africa, the experience is quite different. According to NPR, one out every six children dies before age five and for women giving birth, the mortality rate is three times more. Many of them rely on herbalists and traditional healers to deliver their babies. They are untrained and many can't read.
The experiences are quite different given that prenatal care is at the bare minimal which leads to unhealty children at birth.

Personal Childhod Web

Personal Childhood Web

Grandmother: Bertha

      •          Description: Matriarch of our family, loving and caring but yet honest and strong

•          Childhood influence: My grandmother made all of her grandchildren feel special but because we lived with her she did extra things for us. She took time to make sure we had a home cooked meal every morning; she made sure I had everything I needed. She rewarded us often especially when it came to school. Her advice that continues to follow me is, "Never start something that you will not finish." Everything that I have started, I have finished, no matter how hard or long.

•          My favorite memory is, as a 5th and 6th grader, I was on honor roll for the entire school year, both years and at the end of my 6th grade year, she had my own phone line installed.

•          Description: Caring, hardworking, faithful, smart and strict

Mother: Katherine

     •          Childhood Influence: My mother was a hard worker. I admired her wisdom, tenacity and her faith in God. She received her GED after her third child and while I was in high school, self taught herself chemistry type formulas for a job she wanted. She received the job and worked with doctors in making drug testing kits. My mother was real and very blunt. Her advice and life skills still follow me today. Never sell yourself short: even if you feel you do not have the proper credentials for a job, apply anyway...you never know what could happen.

•          One of my favorite memories: While in high school, I had a new hairdo that I could redo. Every night, my mother curled my hair until I was able to redo the style myself. She did not let go to school and be the center of everyone's jokes.

Towana A: Sunday school Teacher

      •          Description: Family friend, my personal motivator and confidant

•          Childhood Influence: Towana was my Sunday school teacher from age 8- 18. She was always positive, no matter what choices I made as a child or teenager. She was just a phone call away and never ceased to encourage me. Her influence has helped me to be a positive light to those around me.

•          One of my favorite memories was my senior year in High School; I ran for our local queen pageant and didn't place. When I attended church the next day she crowned me as the church queen...I was on cloud nine that day.

Childhood Friend 7^th grade- current: Michele

      •          Description: Basketball team mate, admired because she was smart, both parents were college graduates and she had a plan for life after graduation.

•          Childhood Influence: She helped me to organize my dreams and believe that I could actually attend and graduate from college. Today I still write down my dreams and really believe in them.

•          One of my favorite memories is our bus ride to the state capital and our conversation was all around college and she asked me if school was hard for me now, I told her no. She then told me that college wouldn't be hard for me either.

Childhood Friend 5^th- Current: Renee

      •          Description: Similar family issues, passionate reader and learner

•          Childhood Influence: Renee did not have the best family situation but she was always ready and willing to learn. Her influence in my life now is that no matter how hard life is you can still accomplish your goals.

•          My favorite memories with Renee are since our 11th birthday, we have been meeting at the same pizza place to celebrate.

Driving Reading

As a Kindergarten teacher, one of our expectations was for our students to leave Kindergarten, reading. As a result of this goal and push one of my Kindergarten students won a district award in our Drive to Success reading program. During this push, our parents showed so much support for their children and were excited as they observed the growth of their child over the course of the school year. 

Just finished and just begining

While ending and closing this school year, we are all simaltanueously beginning the next school year by planning, meeting and gathering resouces throughout this summer so that in the fall we will be well prepared. Although I support being prepared....I'm just wondering does the school year really end?