We have embarked on an incredible journey together. A journey that has transformed me into who I am today, and I am forever greatful for the opportunity I have had. I am very thankful for all of you to be part of my experience. Without your similiar compassion for early childhood we would not be where we are today. Your experiences have helped me learn about myself, you all allowed me to discuss my ideas and opinions openly and offered great creative critisim where it was needed.
I have learned many things:
1.) I was reminded that you need passion to achieve any thing you are going for. If you want to be a leader, your need to be passionate enough for your followers to believe you and agree with you.
2.) I have an identity and a diversity all my own. I was so caught up in my own culture that I never realized it was a culture. There are so many things that make us different, and make us who we are.
3.) I never considered abilities to be in the diversity category. I always thought diversity to be cultures or ethnicity I never thought to include disabled people into the diverse category, but they are. Diversity is not just about culture and ethnicity.
The professionals you all are is very evident in the work I was able to do with you and I wish you all nothing but the best on your future endeavors. My own future goal would hopefully lead e to working with an agency that can help me better improve programs at all centers, evaluating and offering suggestions for improvement.
I wish you would all keep in contact with me, even if it is just to say hello. I feel we all need a reminder once in a while that when things get tough there is still a silver lining. I know we are all scattered throughout the country, but email is always available.
Also, I was wondering if anyone was planning on attending the graduation ceremony..either the Summer ceremony that is in Minnesota or the Winter ceremony that is in Miami? I am unsure if I am able to attend the Summer ceremony and was told by the graduation committee that I would be able to attend the Winter ceremony if I am not able to go to the summer one. If you are going to either (I plan on attending at least one!) I would LOVE to meet up. I had the opportunity to meet with Corina Allen on a hockey trip, and it was very exciting to put a face to a name and work.
You are all very deserving of any achievements you will have in your life, and I again wish you the best.
I wanted to create a video good bye, but a very bad respiratory infection has taken away my ability to project my voice and when I do I sound like a frog(not how I want to be remembered!!!)
Anyway as promised here is my information to keep in contact:
CJMPSU@gmail.com (After an email I can provide address for snail mail corrispondence or phone number)
If you are ever in the central Pennsylvania area please send me a message and we can hopefully get together.
Finally a quote: "Children should be seen, heard and believed" (Bumper Sticker on my friends car)