Personal Childhood Web

The people that loved, cared, and "always"saw the best in me.

 

My mother: Mary Lee Long: Though she left this world when I was only 5 years old, I remember sitting on her lap, hugging me and she said to me, "My sweet baby you will go to school and you will be successful in life". Her words were engraved in my heart and every personal and professional step I accomplish in life, I look up to Heaven and say "Thank you mama for the woman I am today".

 

My oldest sister: Gwendolyn Roberts: She took on the responsibility of moving into the role of mother and sister. She made sure I got a warm breakfast before going off to school and a hot dinner before going to bed at night. She helped me with my homework and encouraged me when I got discouraged. She loved, cared and nurtured me when I was sad, sick scared or just need to know I was loved. From her support I have acquired 2 degrees in the Early Childhood field and now working on my master's.

 

 

Middle School teacher: Vera Speas: She never let me give-up even with the challenge of my first experience of integration of the public schools in my state. What makes Ms. Speas so special in life and heart is because she is a Caucasian teacher which before this all my teachers was African American. She encouraged, guided, supported and praised me during the time in her class and afterwards. I could go to her to share fears and concerns and knew when I left I would be able face them head-on. She said this to me 'Knowledge is Power" get all you can and let is work for you in life.
  

Education Specialist: Katherine Maynard: She took in under her wing when I started as an assistance teacher and I would ask a lot of questions about what implementing appropriate activities for preschool children. I worked in an all adult environment as an accounting clerk and my daughters were cared for by my mother and grandmother. As they transitioned to preschool I helped with homework, read to them and was very involved in PTA and school functions, but none of these experiences prepared me for the responsibility of teaching children. Ms. Maynard inspired, nurtured, trained and mentored me into the passionate educator I am today. Through her guidance and support I have gained much knowledge about Early Childhood Development and I have two degrees; Associated Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Birth-kindergarten with a concentration in Leadership Administration.  I talked with her before embarking on this new chapter in my life here at Walden, her response “you can do it and will be successful”. J

 
                                            

 My two “Awesome” daughters: Laketha and Holly: my daughters have been my inspiration and drive their whole life. I wanted to be a role model for them and to be determined to accomplish the desires of the heart. But instead they did all of this for me. When I enrolled in community college for Early Childhood Education and would talk about quitting they would say “mama you have not taught us to let anything stand in our way to finish what we started and I would say with tears in my eyes “thank you”.  They have sacrificed not have me while I worked to make a better life for them but never complained because they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. My oldest daughter finished college and now a 5^th grade teacher and my youngest will graduate in May with Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. I love and so proud of them, and  thank God for my “Awesome” daughters every day.


                                              


                                           

The Lord has done great things for our “Family”

And our hearts are filled with “Joy”.

Psalm 126:3