1. ANITRA FORD-FLUELLEN Early Childhood Educator

2. HELLO MY NAME IS ANITRA FORD -FLUELLEN. I WAS BORN, RAISED, AND RESIDE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. (GO BUCKS!) I DESIRE TO EXPLORE AND RESIDE ANOTHER STATE, JUST HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YET !!

3. I still have that desire to gain more knowledge, and do more research on children’s development and learning. My goal is to excel in my career. I feel that pursuing a Masters in Education will be a great advantage in reaching my career goal.  I received a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Studies from Union Institute and University (Cin, Oh). Also Associates in Early Childhood Development.  I currently teach in a Head Start program with Columbus Urban League. I’ve been working with young children and families for. I have a strong passion for helping others. I adore the minds of young children! I hope that my children and the children I encounter live life to their potential and reach all goals set for them.

4. IF I HAD TO CHOOSE THE MOST FAVORITE, IT WOULD BE MRS. YATES, THE 10TH GRADE BIOLOGY TEACHER AT MY HIGH SCHOOL. NOT ONLY WAS SHE THE BIOLOGY TEACHER, BUT SHE ALSO WAS A TUTOR FOR THE MATH SECTION OF THE STATE GRADUATION TEST. IT HAD TAKEN ME A COUPLE OF YEARS TO PASS THE MATH SECTION OF THE TEST. SO I HEARD ABOUT HOW MRS. YATES WAS TUTORING AND I DECLINED GOING TO THE TUTORING SESSIONS. WHY? WELL, I WOULD HEAR HORROR STORIES ABOUT HOW SHE WAS STRICT AND SHE MADE YOU COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS! MY PARENTS CARED NOTHING ABOUT WHAT I HEARD. THEY MADE ME GO TO HER TUTORING SESSIONS. DURING THOSE SESSIONS SHE WOULD GO OVER THE PRACTICE TEST IN DEPTH. SHE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AS IF I HAD HEARD IT AND UNDERSTOOD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THERE WERE TIMES AFTER THE SESSION SHE WOULD JUST SIT AND DISCUSS/ASK US OUR FUTURES GOALS AND DREAMS. MRS. YATES WOULD OFFER GENUINE ENCOURAGEMENT ON HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE. A WEEK BEFORE TESTING, WE WOULD FINISH TUTORING WITH A SPIRITUAL PRAYER. THAT’S WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN MY LIFE. SHE DEMONSTRATED A GENUINE INTEREST AND DESIRE FOR US TO PASS THAT TEST. SHE HOPED FOR IT JUST AS BAD AS WE HOPED FOR IT. ONE HOUR BEFORE TAKING THE TEST SHE MADE IT A POINT TO GATHER MANY STUDENTS, AND SHE GAVE US AN INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATING SPEECH ABOUT HOW WE CAN CONQUER ANY ODDS AND HOW GREATNESS WAS WAITING FOR US. IT WAS THEN THAT MY SOUL AND MIND CONNECTED TO WHAT I DESIRE TO DO AS A YOUTH. THAT WAS TO TEACH

5. IF I COULD ONLY EAT ONE FOOD, FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE (AT DINNER TIME) WHAT WOULD IT BE?