1. Deborah Schneps EDU 671 Dr. Kathleen Pierce-Friedman June 7, 2016

2. I am Deborah Schneps. My entry into this world began in Los Angeles, California where I still live and love life. My neighborhood (West Hollywood) beams with excitement from the historic landmarks such as the Whiskey a Go Go, Pacific Design Center (aka The Blue Whale), to the diverseness of the many people of many different nationalities and preference of different types of marriages and living conditions right here with our own City Council and Mayor. I love my neighborhood for a variety of reasons but mostly because it is the closest thing to what I refer to as a sense of community of caring people that I have been privy to in Los Angeles. PERSONAL BACKGROUND

3. My professional background was all about music (playing piano, singing, and performing in some of the most elegant hotels and cruise ships) This was my home and work area for a nice time of my life; playing piano, singing, and learning about so many wonderful people and their cultures. That was then and this is the now I live in: I am so proud to say I received my Bachelors of Arts Degree October 5, 2014, from Ashford University and now pushing the envelope to receive my Masters Degree, Specialization: Early Childhood Education (MAED) and with my birthday May 16 th at 67 years I look forward to each day with the enthusiasm and pray to God I continue to be curious and open for new discoveries and embrace the good things life has in store. THEN AND NOW

4. I have been involved in a program with other elderly spirited individuals trained through team planning schedules, lesson planned sessions, our own materials, books, science projects, and our worldly wise ways as an addition to the specially researched, tried and true teaching strategies that our program is providing, bringing that extra dynamism to children. Children will reap the benefits of seeing and hearing about life through older eyes and appreciate another facet of how to interpret things throughout a lifetime. We are called Foster Grandparent/Corp. Members. There are 60 of us in teams of 5 to 6 in the different schools for children from low- income backgrounds and our goal through the program; “working toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed” I am so proud and blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization of gracious and dedicated people Deborah the Volunteer

5. PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO HAVE INFLUENCED ME Mrs. Calhoun My Kindergarten Teacher showed me what generosity looked like. She provided the foundation of what fun in learning was. She was the epitome of kindness and big-heartedness in the sense that she would visit children’s hospitals bringing gifts with me on my accordion playing Christmas songs. She provided food for the animals around the mountains where she lived on Nichols Canyon Rd. My mom and myself remained friends with dear Mrs. Calhoun until she passed Mrs. Moody My High School Drama Teacher saw something in me I had no idea existed nor did I have the confidence to do anything about it if I did. I loved her and we remained friends until she passed. Mrs. Lipton My Piano Teacher envisioned her child prodigy to be the concert pianist of the century; hardly. I loved her and respected her and probably was a huge disappointment because I knew that was not the road for her after receiving a summer music camp scholarship to Sun Valley Idaho.

6. I have not a clue how my life will evolve once I receive my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am not sure where I would like to live or if I could have my own preschool. I feel as if my life had just begun when I came to Ashford University; my spirit is young but my body is old and you would think I would have a plan. I am quite sure the second I “Pomp and Circumstance” for my graduation, I will know which direction to follow at that time. Good things happen exactly when they are destined to and that has been my way since forever and it has worked for me so far. I am happy to meet my Professor and classmates and wish us all the best. Thank you, Deborah

7. My understanding of action research is that I know there is a problem. I have to seek out the initial conflict that is causing discontentment. For me, to motivate and make changes in order to improve my stamina, healthy lifestyle, and the most effective way to lose the weight according to what I have examined and construed due to the facts from my study. My role in the project of research is a positive approach in the respect that I need to lose weight. I will compare the results of three weeks of different approaches beginning with a cookie diet inspired by Smart for Life, following their “lifestyle program”, eat smaller portions from my regular routine, and the third, eating my healthful foods the way I have but with the twist of including exercise. Since school is out for the summer I am limited to access of a classroom; the children, teacher, and director, and since the program I volunteer for is also out for the summer my research will have to be on myself and self improvement. ACTION RESEARCH