Christine B.

ABOUT ME: Born in Los Angeles; graduated from an all girls' Catholic High School; did some uneventfful traveling; relocated to NY for my undergraduate education; left college and married; got separated and returned to NY to complete my degree; graduated, signed my divorce papers, and entered the military all within the same year; exited the Army for medical reason; did a lot volunteer work tutoring elementary school children during the academic years and worked as a volunteer counselor during the summers; I have just started work on my masters and plan to become a small business owner within a couple of years--God willing. I am devoted to Him and no one else. I love Jesus and depend on Them and the Spirit to lead me.

My Dream: As mentioned above, I am studying for my dual Masters in Education. My plan upon graduation is to launch my Family Child Care Home. I am committed to the continued pursuit of best practices in education at all levels. Concern for best practices in the early childhood segment should be linked with best practices for formal education. The rate of dropouts--the reason does not matter--and illiteracy is not acceptable. We need to put as much effort into best practices for formal schooling as we do for early child care children. Even more important is that we give parents back their role and responsibility for making decisions about andd procuring a quality educational experience which will go with their child as he/she progresses through their formal education. I believe that this is where the problems between parents and educators stem from. We are cutting parents out of the equation. We have taken over their decision making role in their chld's life and are effectually telling them to leave it with us, we understand
know better than you what your child needs. Granted, this may be true for some parents concerning some issues and some subjects; but, we should help by educating them right where they are presently. When considering the child, we need to consider the whole family. Empower parents with the knowledge they need so they can do the best for their child in the home and the community and in all areas of their lives. I advocate that we build parents up rather than shut them out. This is not good for the child or the family and the community as a whole.