Hi Everyone!
This week I've been studying family systems theory a process described by Linda Garris Christian, a professor of education at Adams State College in her article Understanding Families: Applying Family Systems Theory to Early Childhood Practice. Family systems theory has a lot to do with the web of support and environment surrounding a child as they grow up. This web can have significant impact on a child's academic success. Below you can see my own personal web of support that I had growing up!
Mommy: My mother has probably influenced me the most throughout my entire life. Career-oriented, independent, a hard worker and extremely intelligent...she has always encouraged me challenged me and pushed me to be the best I can be. I would be nothing without her. *tear*sniffle* sniffle*
Grandma: Being an educator for many years, my grandmother has played a huge role in my education throughout my life. From spending extra time with me on learning to tell time, from observing my developmental progress and being the first person to realize that I was left-handed...her caring guidance has been a constant for me.
Grandpa: My grandfather was always a source of tough love for me. He taught me that you have to know how to do things for yourself, just in case someone isn't there to help you. While he has aged into a very different man than he once was, I will always appreciate the lessons he taught me.
Uncle: My uncle has always been a source of fun. He always encouraged and supported my artistic pursuits and continues to be like-minded when it comes to the arts, music and personal presentation. Like my mother, he has believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. I will forever be grateful for that.
Mr. Hayes: Mr. Thaddeus Hayes was my ballet teacher for almost ten years until his passing. Always very proper and strict, I believe that he saw the passion that I had for dance and fostered that inside of me. Even though there were girls in my class with better flexibility or turnout, he would continue to give me more solos...constantly challenging me. I was slightly afraid of him, yet was in awe of him and wanted to please him desperately. He really gave me the confidence to believe in and push myself to greater heights.
Wow...detailing the impact all of these individuals have had on my life has made me a little teary-eyed. I really am very blessed to have been touched by every single one of these people in my life. I challenge all of you to create a personal web of your own, and think about all of the people who have touched your lives.
Thanks for stopping by, and more posts coming soon!!!
MeShel,
ReplyDeleteLike you I had a teacher that had a large impact on my life. I moved to Germany when I was in the six grade. I was in Germany for 1982 until I graduated from high school in 1990. I attend DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependents Schools.). At that time I had a IEP and was very behind the other children, Debra Washington was one of the teachers that helped me every day. I remember being scared half to death… I am from a very small town in Kentucky called Elizabethtown and there I was on the on the side of the world. I had no idea what to do, I was having a horrible time making friends and she reached out to me. She helped me come out of my shy little shell and become a proactive learner.
Bobbi