Words of Inspiration and Motivation

 

 

Marian Wright Edelman: 

"If we don't stand for children, then we don't stand for much."

"You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can do everyday."

Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard:

"If we consider human intelligence at the period of earliest childhood man does not yet appear to rise about the level of the other animals."

The Passion for Early Childhood

Louise Derman-Sparks:

" I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and to fix all the injustices that existed in the world. And I wanted to do that through teaching."

Renatta M. Cooper:

" What keeps me engaged is we're not there yet with any of them [ policies and rights for mothers and children]. We've got a long way to go with all of them and I think that until we achieve some of these goals I'll keep doing it."

Personal childhood web

The people who helped shape me (Kali):

My mother- I watched her struggle to get to where she is now. She is beautiful, confident, brilliant and dedicated to the children in her educational facility.

My Aunt Dorothy- is a sassy, jazzy, intelligent women that made me believe that I was a women "without borders!' That I could be and do everything positive.
 
Amina- is a beautiful, vibrant and intelligent women that treated me like a baby sister. She was my mentor and held my hand through a lot of rough events in my life.

Sonia Sanchez-is a beautiful and marvelous writer, activist, and scholar who inspires me to write. I started going to her speaking engagements when I was about twelve. My mother's friend took us every for the next three or four years afterward.

 

The title of a children's book I love and what I love about it

The title of the book for which I love is Sariyah's Birthday Surprise. I love this book because because it is the first book that I wrote. It is a story about my oldest daughter, Sariyah, and how she was faced with the dilemma of telling the truth about getting into trouble or keeping it a secret from her mom. I love writing stories about my children. There is something about seeing my girls' faces fill with excitement when they hear their name in a story.

A story about a child that touched my heart

The story I wish to share is one of triumph and testimony. My brother and his wife were expecting my nephew in November of 2007.  I would call to check on them frequently and they informed me that she was having complications and didn't think that the baby would make it. I kept reassuring them that whatever was to be will be and not to put emphasis on the uncertain; although I too was nervous for the safety of the baby and my sister-in-law.
As weeks progressed, she was admitted into the hospital and had to basically lay upside. She was in and out of labor until one day, I got a call saying that my nephew was born. He was due in November, but was born July 31, 2007.  Keagan Michael Merritt was born!

My brother sent out an all points email explaining his birth. When they cleared his airway, he cried, which the doctors said was amazing. They had to administer an adrenaline shot, which the doctor told them would only be given once. But she felt "something" told her to administer another. And on the second injection, he began to breath again; and on his own.
It was and is a long battle, three years later. He is learning how to walk and talk, but his cognitive skills are exceptional according to all the specialists. He is a true blessing to our family and he inspires me everyday to be a better person.
I hope that by shortening the story I didn't take anything away from my beautiful nephews story. He is my angel and I am so proud to be his Aunty.

Quote by Dr. Hain Ginott

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."

I chose this quote because Parents, caregivers, and educators must be careful about the things we expose our children to. 

I did it!

Greetings to all,

It is with great pleasure that I can say, with the help of a very dear friend, I finally accomplished the task of setting up my blog! It was one of the most challenging things I have had to do and I am now even more nervous than ever to embark on the online educational experience. In addition to being nervous, I am very excited to meet and work with all of my colleagues. I hope that we all find success in this endeavor and if I can be of any assistance(not computer assistance, though) Please feel free to ask.

Have a great first week!

Kali Merritt