Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Colleagues,

     I was really excited about this assignment.  In our Foundations course, we studied how people in other countries address topics, like poverty, divorce, breast-feeding, water, etc.  I learned so much! This assignment reminds me of having a pin pal in another country.  I composed a letter and e-mailed it to ten contacts because I wanted to make sure I had a minimum contact list after I get responses.  Alright, I haven’t received any responses yet but I am hopeful that I will get at least 3 solid contacts.  One thing I was worried about was the contact language.  Even though I speak English, I wonder if my contact will need to translate my letter or do they speak English?  I guess I will have to wait for that.

    In order to establish contacts, I utilized the Blog Assignment Resource provided by our instructor. I opened this site :The Global Alliance of NAEYC has e-mail addresses for early childhood professionals worldwide: http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance.  Once I was there, I chose a country and used the e-mail addresses listed.  Now I am anxiously awaiting responses. I have e-mailed so many contacts that I am hopeful that I will not have to use an alternative assignment. 

      I also chose Pre[K]Now: A Campaign of the Pew Center on the States
http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/initiatives_detail.aspx?initiativeID=31672(Newsletter: http://www.preknow.org/signupform.cfm) to study in this course.  I chose this site from the Early Childhood Websites listed in the Blog Resources. 

 

 

FYI:

Dear Colleague,

I am a graduate student in the United States of America who is studying Early Childhood Education. I am studying via an online education at Walden University.   I am interested in current trends in the field of educating youth in your country.   If it is possible, I will be contacting you once a week for the next 8 weeks concerning your country’s education system. I am a primary school teacher who studies children with disabilities. I have been teaching for 17 years and am very interested in how other countries educate.   I realize what we do is important to the economic structure of  both of our countries because after all, “Our Children are our Future.” 

Can you please help me to get to know your education system for youths from birth to 8 years old?  I can be reached via school e-mail: yolonda.honore@waldenu.edu. Thanks for your time and cooperation.  

Thank you,

Yolonda Honore'

My Supports

    

     When it comes to my supports, I think of this little jingle…I don’t know what I would do without you! How I would survive, I cannot say, I will ever trust and never doubt you, Lord don’t take your spirit away from me. This speaks the sentiments of my heart.  I love the relationship and support I have with having God in my life.  I have been through some major obstacles in my life, like abuse, bereavement, divorce, and loneliness.  Just imagine existing in a world and not feeling like you can’t relate to anyone. You see and hear people but yet you feel as though you exist alone.  Loneliness is no laughing matter!  I have endured that, but I couldn’t have, without the support I receive from an all knowing ever-present God.  As a youth, I contemplated suicide from the effects of loneliness but somehow I could hear a still small voice saying to me “I am your Father and I am here to comfort you.” I’ve need the presence of God in my life.   

     Secondly, I have an amazing family.  Some related to me through blood and others were just sent to help me through this journey.  My younger brother, Commander Brock A. Miller is a jewel.  He’s a calm talker and thinker and I love that about him.  He oversees our family estate and no one can get anything over on him.  At work, he is so militant and fierce but at home he’s a cut off jean, torn tee-shirt kind of guy.  We need him to keep us in order because I am too persuaded by tears.  Also, my sister in the lord, Ivy has been a great support to me.  I moved to Louisiana after a divorce.  She welcomed me into her home and was a great listener.   She didn’t make judgments or treat me differently because of things I shared with her.  She is that friend who listens more than she speaks.  I need that.

     My twin boys are a great support to me.  As a matter of fact, I will be adopting them this summer.  My older son always has a kind word to share with everyone.  He looks into my eyes and says, “Mommy you are so beautiful and you take good care of us!” Okay, I can’t see anything wrong with that! In his own little way, he supports me.  His twin brother is Autistic and any accomplishment he makes is fantastic.  I was blessed with these boys after I endured some significant losses in my life.  I just existed until they came along. I felt like I needed to be  at my best because they needed me more than I needed to be selfish considering only me.  In that, I mean they were abandoned and needed love.  I was abandoned and needed someone to  love, take care of and support.  We needed each other!  I also need the babysitter, Anita.  She  goes beyond her call of duty with my kids.  She knows that I need to study for school and she volunteers to take the kids additional time so that I can study—no charge.   She is a real support! 

     I need my academic advisor.  Mrs. K. Jones has been a great support to me since I have been in this program.  I wanted to quit because I had difficulty adjusting to this course.  She talked me through it and reminded me of what I initially told her my goal was.  I told her I wanted to complete this degree because it was important that I make a better life for my family. 

     Finally, I need some physical supports.  I have been diagnosed with ADHD and I need medication.  I cannot settle myself down in most instances because I feel as though I have a million thoughts running through my head.  Also, I have type 2 diabetes and need a medication regiment.  I was diagnosed a few years ago and was in shock. Why? Because I felt I was too young to have the disease that all of my family members have.  When I told my aunt, she said, “So why did you think you were exempt?” That was a reality check for me so I just comply to the directions of my physician.  I need my glasses or contacts too because I can’t see elbows length without it.   

In conclusion, I have supports in my life that has made this journey for me less difficult.  I have God for strength comfort and support.  I have my brother and sister who provide support and confidence.  Both of them have earned Master’s Degrees.   I have my sons who provide love and happiness.  I have my counselor who encourages me to continue and do my best.  Lastly, I have medication and visual supports to help me get through the day.  I cannot image living without any of my supports because they have become so apart of me that I would not know how to replace them if they became obsolete.