1. All About Me ECE 625: Family and Community Engagement Dr. Patricia Raney

2. My Family * Daughter * Momma (2 sons) * Sister (3 brothers) * Aunt (4 nephews, 3 nieces) * Gammie (another word for grandma) My lil men ~ JaRay: 6, Javion: 3, Jayden:1 My lil princesses ~ Alyssa: 6 Journee: 7months Son in US Navy Son in Barber School Grandbabies

3. My Education Greenville, PA High School Diploma Piedmont Community College Associate’s Degree ~ ECE Mount Olive College Bachelor’s Degree ~ ECE Ashford University Master’s Degree ~ ECE (in progress)

4. My Work Experience  Education Specialist  Disabilities Specialist  Family Services Coordinator  Bilingual Education Assistant  Center Manager  T/TA Specialist Head Start ~ Early Head Start ~ Migrant Head Start 1999-Present

5. My Hobbies Photography Drag Racing Motorcycle Riding

6. Favorite quotes  No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, the can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite ~ Nelson Mandela  Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much ~ Helen Keller  Your off to great places. Today is you day, your mountain is waiting so get on your way ~ Dr. Seuss  The most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller  Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

7. Teachers and Caregivers Role  Develop warm, positive, trusting relationships  Be positive role models  Encourage participation in the everyday learning of their children at home, school, and in their communities  Recognize parents as their child’s first teacher and primary nurturer  Educate parents on children's growth and development  Work together focusing on the whole child  Visit families in their home  Respect and learn about each families culture  Provide community resources  Encourage parent participation and male involvement  Be an advocate for parent and child  Open, unbiased communication

8. My Vision  My passion is working with both children and families. I truly believe teaching starts at home. Parents are their child’s first educator. It begins as early as in utero. Our young children are our future. The sooner we can reach a child and their family, the better chances they have for a successful future. We need to not only educate our children but their parents as well; teaching them how to incorporate things such as literacy and math skills into their daily lives. We need to be advocates within the community to enhance families social well-being and community life. We need to engage and empower parents to be the best they can be. Our children can become successful adults with our help.