Personal Childhood Web

          I have two twin second cousins, Sheila and Letty Sustrin.  They are now 75 years old and children’s book authors.  They had a huge impact on me growing up.  I admired them so much.  They were both kindergarten teachers.  They had a love for teaching that was so contagious.  They took me with them to their classrooms so many times.  I could see how much they cared for their children and the families that were in their care.   This is where my love for children and teaching began.  They were the kind of teachers that made a difference in the lives of every family and child they touched.  I wanted to become that kind of teacher.  Now authors, they are always going into schools to read their books and still love every minute of it.  They have always encouraged me to pursue early childhood education.  They have always followed along my journey and still have the same kind of excitement about teaching as they always did.

          My mom always made me feel loved and as if there was nothing I could not do or accomplish.  I learned so much from her and continue to learn every day.  She always felt for herself there was nothing she could not accomplish.  My parents were very young when they got married.  My mom was only 18 years old.  For many girls back then, it was get married and have babies.  When my brother and I were school age she went back to work.  She only worked part-time and was home for us every day after school.  Her drive and passion for a career was inspiring.  I learned from her that hard work and drive will get you far in life.  She started off as a secretary and just retired as Assistant Director of a Development Department with only a High School Degree.  What an example she set for her children.  She instilled in me passion, drive, hard work and a never ending belief in myself.  

          My father, Joel, taught me to have a love for learning.  Growing up I remember, him always having a hobby.  He always wanted to perfect something new.  He loved to cook and invited me to join him in the kitchen to help.   He loved woodworking and had every tool. With his help, I tried every utensil and appliance and held all the tools.  Unfortunately, I am not a great cook or a master craftsman, but I am not afraid to experience new things and learn as much as I can about things that interest me.  All of these people in my life helped to make me who I am today.  

          My grandmother, Dorothy was so important to me growing up.  I spent a lot of time visiting with her staying at her house for long weekends and on school vacations.  We never went anywhere special or did anything away from home.    She made me always feel special and loved for just being me.  She was so important because it was just quality time together.  She was such a great listener.  Everything I said was important.  My fondest memories are sitting at her kitchen table eating ice cream, talking and playing cards. She made me see the value of taking time to talk and play with the children in your life.   I felt as if there was no one else she would rather be with.  She made everyone in the family feel as if they were the most important.  She instilled in me the importance of strong family connections.