1. EDU 673 Introduction By: Arlean Porhche’

2. All About Me My name is Arlean Porche’ and I am a mother of three and I have seven grandchildren. I am currently raising six of my grandchildren. I am a recent graduate of Ashford University where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I decided to continue my education so that I can set a great example for my grandchildren. I am a preschool teacher and I work for a Head Start program here on the Gulf Coast. This is where I grew up and currently reside. I have been teaching for 16 years. I started out substitute teaching at an elementary school in my home town of Pass Christian, Mississippi. I knew then I wanted to become a teacher. I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to teach until years later. I knew that I wanted to change the lives of young children. I was in school pursuing my Associate degree in becoming a teacher assistant when I decided that I wanted to become a lead teacher. Once I completed that program I took a break from schooling to raise my grandchildren. I then decided that I needed to continue my education to help them with their studies. Here I am changing lives and making a difference in others life. My long-term goal is to own and operate my own childcare facility to help underprivileged children.

3. My passion I became passionate about my degree program simply because I love children. I enjoy watching them learn, grow, and develop. I enjoy watching them create dreams and work towards making their dreams come true. I also became passionate about my continued education, because I to want to be the best that I can be throughout my life, and go as far as God allows me.

4. Favorite Teacher My favorite teacher was my 8 th grade English teacher. Why? Because she taught me to dream big and follow my heart as well as my passion. She taught me to know my purpose in life and follow that path. For that I owe a lot of my life’s decisions. She always told me to be careful and think things through before I make a decision that could affect my life. I can’t thank her enough for helping me value life, and respect self, and others. She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I didn’t have a least favorite teacher. I learned so much from all of my teachers.

5. Favorite food The one food I would eat at dinner time every day would be chicken. I does not matter how it is cooked I could have it for dinner every day and my grandchildren would be ok with that. They would even help me cook it.

6. Life lessons I am grateful to have this opportunity to pursue a career that I enjoy. I am the only child of five to go to college and earn not one but two degrees. My family supports me in every way. It is not an easy task taking on the responsibility of raising six grandchildren, but I have faith that all things are possible if you believe.