Words of Inspiration and Motivation

 “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. My mother told me that instead of playing house, I  use to    play school.”Louise Dorman Sparks

 “ I think my passion comes from wanting to  make a difference.”Raymond Hernandez

“There are risks involved in applying standards-based reform to early childhood. For one, early
childhood educators have traditionally recognized individual differences in learning and
development.”Susan Bredekamp Ph.D

“To be a coach in Special Olympics demands qualities of mind and spirit that transcend knowledge of specific games or events”.Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Personal Childhood Web

Mom - My mom was the first nurturing person in my life, she was there to take care of my every need. Staying up late and at times all night when I couldn't sleep. Taught me that I am special and deserve nothing less than the best out of life.She encouraged me to dream and dream BIG. We went everywhere together and people thought we were more like sisters instead of mother and daughter. Mom taught me values ,morals and always put Jesus first in my life and everything else will fall into place.I was bless to have her in my life for 30 years and her light continues to shine in my life today.

Dad - My dad who is really my stepdad has been in my life since I was 8 years old.  I don't think of him as a stepdad because he's the only father figure I ever knew.He married my mom and gained an instant family with her ,my brother and myself.He was in the military and we were blessed as a family to travel to places most people only dreamed of. He has been a disciplinarian as I was growing up.Like any other step families, when I wanted to do something or go somewhere with my friends  and he refuse to let me do it,I wished he wasn't part of our family.however,that was all part of my rebellious stage I went through.Today, he continues to be an intricate part of my life,although we may not be as close as we once were,he's still my dad and I love him.

Aunt Lucy - My aunt Lucy is my favorite aunt ,she has always been and to this day continues to be a very important person in my life. Growing up I wanted to be a nurse ,because my Aunt Lucy was a nurse.She came to the states to go to nursing school when I was just a little girl. She would call and write my mom to see how we were doing and if we needed anything.She helped pay my  brother and my tuition to attend private catholic school. I often turn to her when I have a medical question or concern.She was there for me when mom died and her medical background,really helped me deal with everything mom went through.She continues to be an inspiration to me

 Grandpa - My grandpa ,or Papa as I use to call him was part of my life from the day I came from the hospital.He lived with my mom,brother and I. He was the the only male figure in my life growing up, I guess because he was the male figure in the house I depended on him to help my mom raise us.He was a loving, caring, very soft spoken person who loved everyone unconditionally.Because I am the oldest granddaughter(my brother is the oldest grandchild)I was spoiled rotten.There was nothing my Papa wouldn't do or get for me. I truly loved this man and the part he had in shaping me into the woman I am today. His absent in my life is felt everyday but like mom,his light shines in my life also.

Mrs.Johnson - Mrs. Johnson has been in my life since the 8th grade and is still part of it to this day.She lives in  the same city and just minutes away from me .Whenever I see her she always reminds me that she loves me and that I will never get too old for her to discipline me,She was part of that support system that helped raised me ,she would see my brother and I and our friends hanging out in the streets and would remind us that she has eyes in the back of her head and knew what we were up to at all times. I love her for that and for helping shape my life and keeping me on the right track.

Meaningful Quote !

I've always liked this quote : A hundred years from now,It will not matter now much money I had,What kind of car I drove,or where I lived...But he world will be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child. The author of this poem is unknown.


My Favorite Children's Book is Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr.Seuss.I like this book because It just lets kids,or anyone for that matter ,know that they can do anything if they just believe in themselves and their abilities. This is a book I enjoy  reading to all kids ,but especially to the special needs students.

I had a student when I was a Teacher Assistant in the Intellectually Mild Disabled class who I became close to and who became very attached to me who would go home and just could not stop talking about me,It got so bad that during a parent /teacher conference,this student 's mom said that they actually thought I lived in their house. This student would actually refuse to walk to and from the bus stop unless I walked with them. They would walk around all day saying "I Love Ms.Spikes."The parent said that they would say the same thing at home. Stories like this is one of the many reasons I enjoy working with special needs.