My Family and Why I Do What I Do

 

I am the second oldest of 8 children.  In this birth order, you can imagine what the research would say about me.  All I know is this is where I learned how to be me.  I learned how to care for others and teach them things like tie shoes, blow noses, ride their bikes, swim, clean, be kind to each other and probably taught a few things that aren't life skills.  My younger and only sister will tell you that I tortured her with stories about made-up characters like the "Oochie-Moochies."  I also helped "make her beautiful" when we played beauty shop and I wouldn't let her see herself until she was "complete."  A complete mess I may add.  Clowns are fun...right?  My creativity had to start somewhere right?  Not only was I one of the older kids in my family, I was also an older cousin.  My grandpa always said, "Ellen, you should be a teacher, all those kids just follow you around and you keep them right in line."  So I guess it was Grandpa Lacey who planted that seed for me.

 

My own family started when I got married to my husband in 1996.  We added Bailey, Peter, William and finally Mason as we have ventured along.  We live here in Hartford and of course, our kids attend the best school in the state!  This year we will have two high schoolers, a middle schooler, and the youngest is in Kindergarten.

 

As I have become a parent, I have become a much better teacher and even more dedicated to my cause.

I realized the importance of truly loving my students because I want my children's teachers to love mine. I also look forward to impacting the future, we are teaching our future.  How important is that?  What kind of person do I want caring for my children and grandchildren and myself?  I must be part of forming them!