I like this quote from Raymond Hernandez MS. Ed., Executive Director School of Early Childhood Ed, University of Southern California, "I know I can not save the world, I just have to make a difference in the community around me." I frequently want to save every student and I can't. I can only hope that I have somehow touched their lives in a positive way to help them.
This next quote is from Last Class Notes by Lilian G Katz at http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/pubs/katzsym/katz.pdf. "Remember that adults know more about almost everything than a small child does—except what it feels like to be that child, and how the world makes sense to him or her. Those things are the children’s expertise from which a teacher must learn—to be able to reach and teach them." I have always been amazed by the ideas and insights some of my students have shared. I have learned that not making eye contact can be a sign of respect, I have also learned that some children pay attention more when they seem distracted or not looking at what I have asked them to look at. I still laugh when I recall that one of my preschool children told my instructional assistant that "you need a young fellow". He couldn't or wouldn't explain to us what he meant but he told her that a few times and I like to think he understood that she was lonely.
I like that quote "I know I can not save the world, I just have to make a difference in the community around me." It is hard when you see all these children and families around that need so much help, but you know you can't help all of them. When I can bring a smile to one of my residents faces, give a hug or a wave, or just take the time to ask how they are doing, that makes me feel good because I know that might be the only hug or wave they may get because they don't have any family and that makes me like I'm making a small difference.
ReplyDeleteEven getting my residents involved in community volunteer works helps their quality of life and the community and that makes a difference, I think.
I absolutely agree with Raymond Heranandez's quote. Any of us would to save the world, but that is not in our capabilities. A difference in the community do create a ripple wave that move throughout the community to community. I always loved making the differences because it matters to others and me.
ReplyDeleteAs for the second quotation in regards to child's world, the quote rings a true bell. I do believe that children know things that we, the adults, forget. I have worked as full time nanny and the child I cared for was brilliantly funny and right on the point. Things he said, I never thought of. Things he did, I enjoyed the innocence of his childhood. The child brightened up when I showed up to care for him. It's almost like he gave me an opportunity to be someone important to him.
I agree with all of the comments about Raymond Hernandez's quote "I know I can not save the world, I just have to make a difference in the community around me." The smallest things that a teacher can do sometimes makes the biggest difference in a child's or their family's lives. I have found that by building a good relationship with the families in my class, they are more involved and are more likely to come and ask for help if they need it.
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