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Liz Kennedy - Instructor

Liz Kennedy, MS, CCLS

Hi Everyone! I will be your instructor for CHD 270 this session. I am so excited to meet all of you and learn alongside of you.

My background: My background is in developmental psychology and early childhood education. I am a certified child life specialist and offer early childhood mental health consultation to administrators, teachers, families, and children in our area. I have over ten years of experience teaching graduate and undergraduate courses at various universities. I also have professional experience in a variety of settings, including but not limited to the hospital, preschool and elementary classrooms, Early Head Start programs, and in-home settings.

My Hobbies: Aside from teaching, I have two children - Levi (6yr) and Elle (3yr), who keep me very busy every day! I also live with my husband and our Great Dane, Hank. I enjoy early mornings, coffee, yoga, and the outdoors!

My Goals: I am looking forward to getting to know each of you this semester and helping you succeed, not only in this class, but in helping you along the path to an important career! Please reach out with any questions or concerns at anytime.

My Picture Metaphor: This picture represents me, as I have a consistent mindfulness and yoga practice. I am also leading a research project with the University of Pittsburgh related to incorporating mindfulness activities into the preschool classrooms as a means for developing social-emotional skills. Further, it highlights our connection with nature and the continual growth of the mind, as learning never stops!

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Hi everyone! My name is Kayla Ashburner. My major is ECD and I will finish this Fall (2024).

Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy cooking and baking, reading, running, traveling, and grabbing brunch on a perfectly sunny Saturday.

Why I'm Taking This Class: I'm required to take this class in order to graduate, but I am also always eager to learn more about early childhood development, and education in general.

What I Hope to Gain From This Class: I have a background in education with a B.Ed. specializing Math and Science, but am not very clued in on the admin side of things. I am very excited about all the new things I can learn in this class!

Picture Metaphor: I am originally from South Africa, and moved to the United States after university. Since then I have met and learnt so much about life and education and all sorts of things from people from all over the world. I am very grateful to have global knowledge and experience in my field. It has only made me a better educator.

Here's to a great summer semester!

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Hello! I'm Satomi Snyder. I am an Early Childhood Development AAS major and this is my last semester at NOVA and will start JMU's AAS to BIS Early Childhood Education adult program this fall.

Interests/Hobbies: As I started the journey to chase my dream to be a Kindergarten teacher at the age of 50, I want to inspire people who think they are too old to do something new that they are never too old! When I am not studying for college or working as a sub for LCPS or KinderCare, I spend my time with my family, my husband (celebrated 30 years of marriage this year) and our 2 sons (12 and 24). I love cooking, baking, taking a walk, and kickboxing.

Why am I taking this class: It is a part of my required course for my degree. I am not planning to become on the administrator side, but I would love to know what their responsibilities are, what they are looking for when they hire, and how the school budget works, as it also affects employees and their performance and available support to children.

What I hope to gain from this class: More knowledge of early childhood education system and the procedure to do a family childcare on my own as an option.

My motto: The starfish story
By: Loren Eiseley

One day, a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up, and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”

I believe to make a difference in a child one at a time.

Fun Facts: I have never died or permed my hair and donated my 12 inches hair more than 5 times. My hair now is about my waist and will be donating it again soon.

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Hi everyone my name is Elizabeth Rodas. I just graduated this past semester with 2 certifications in early childhood. One of them is Early childhood specifically and the second one in infants and toddlers. I am currently working towards my associates in Early Childhood as well as my associates in teaching. I have one class left for each of those associates once I finish this summer semester. I am hoping to graduate with that next Spring (2025).

Interests/Hobbies: I really enjoy exploring outdoors with my son. I have always loved spending time outside especially going on nature walks and now that I have a buddy to come with me it makes it even more fun. When I was in high school I loved playing the guitar and that is a hobby I would love to pick the guitar back up and maybe one day teach my babies.

Why you're taking this class: I am taking this class as it is one of the final few that I need for my associates. I am also really looking forward to taking things from this class and hopefully use it at work in some way.

What you hope to gain from this class: I hope to gain insight on how to deal with certain situations that administrators go through on a daily basis. I also hope to obtain more information on how to give parents the most help that I can.

My Picture Metaphor: The picture I decided on is a mom exploring with her child. I decided on that picture because that is where I feel most at peace when I am out with my son just exploring after a long day.

Interesting Fact: I am currently expecting my second baby in the fall.

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Hello Everyone! My name is Jennifer Sexton, Early Childhood Development. I am in my second year at NVCC.

My interests and hobbies include reading, going to the movies, and hanging out with my daughter and my two dogs Maggie and Cooper.

I am taking this class to obtain my associate's degree in early childhood education AND to gain further knowledge so that I can successfully own my very own preschool program soon.

I hope to gain knowledge that I can utilize in the future for owning and running my own preschool program.

"If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it." - Dr. Seuss

(Because life it not always easy...... but you have to take chances)

I have been teaching for over 26 years and have devoted my entire life to children, education, their development, and their happiness. My goal has always been to provide a safe and loving environment where children can grow and be accepted for who they are.

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Name, major, year of study:

My name is Natasha; most people call me Tbrezzy, " just kidding," but you can call me Tasha. I used to be married, but now I'm single. I like to think of myself as a bit of a comedian. I have five children and a bonus daughter. I work as a Center Director for Fairfax County Government and love working with children. I started taking classes to get this position;

Interests/Hobbies: I see you all need to be more in my business, lol. I like to cook Asian dishes. I love writing poetry and swimming. I like Killer, Killer Bang Bang shows, and comedy

Why you're taking this class: I will complete my associate's degree next May, and I plan to pursue my bachelor's degree to become a teacher or promote within the county to provide a better life for my children.

What you hope to gain from this class: Knowledge to ensure I am great Center Director

Favorite quote: Too Blessed To Be Stressed

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Tatiana Reyes, Early Childhood Development, I hope to finish NOVA next year in May 2025!

Interest/Hobbies: I really enjoy photography, long walks, reading books from my favorite author, Ana Huang and I really like gardening specially with the help of my daughter and my husband. We actually just recently moved to our very first house in December 2023, so it's our first time being able to grow our own veggies and flowers.

I'm taking this class as part of my requirements to graduate BUT, I am also looking forward to learning a lot in leadership. I actually have two positions at the school I work at, I'm the assistant director of the school and I also teach, majority of the time I am teaching but it's always great to help out.

What will I gain? I really hope to learn how to better support the parents. Whenever I have to help parents, I get a bit nervous specially when they are upset about something, and I am trying to smooth out the situation. I feel like I also lack in resources to share with parents in how to help their child with something that they are struggling with, such as biting.

My Picture Metaphor: The picture I have selected is a representation of myself. I am showing/teaching something new. It can be to my students or my daughter. I also feel like this picture represents motherhood, which is something so powerful. I genuinely love and treasure being a mom. You learn so much from them as they learn from you. Monkey see and monkey do!

Fun fact: I love cooking! When I was growing up, I really thought I was going to be a chef and when I finally had a job, I learned that I didn't like working in a restaurant that I rather cook for my family and friends.

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Hey Y'all! My name is Jenna. I have been at NVCC since March 2023. My major is in ECDE and I received my certificate in Dec. '23. I am onto my A.A.S. currently.

I am taking this class as a requirement for my degree but also because I am interested in all CHD classes and learning all that I can to become more knowledgeable in the classroom. I hope to gain a better understanding of childcare in all aspects and what is needed to run an efficient classroom/program.

I am about to finish my first full year as a Pre-k teacher and the reality of all that I have accomplished in such a short time is bittersweet to say the least. I love my students and my hope as a teacher is that above the ABC's and 123's I have taught them to believe in themselves always.

~Always be on the lookout for the

presence of wonder - E.B.White

~Just Keep Swimming -Dory

My personal quote:

~Always try your best, because your best is good enough

I live on a farm with lots of different types of animals. I take care of two horses, 25 peacocks, and a swan family including 4 baby cygnets, I am currently hand-raising two of the babies (Percy and Paprika).

Good luck to everyone this semester.

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Hello! I am Debra. I am an Early Childhood Development major and I will be graduating this summer with my AAS.

Interests/Hobbies: I love the outdoors and nature. I live at the top of a mountain in rural Front Royal and I am very close to the Appalachian Trail. My husband and I like to explore it in our free time. I also love to read, cook, and I just adopted a 10 week old puppy (named Stuart) so I am very busy training him as well.

Why you're taking this class: I am taking this class to fulfill my requirement for graduation.

What you hope to gain from this class: I hope to learn more about supporting families and parents at home. I feel like we need more connections to from home life to school life and I would love to find more ways to incorporate families into their children's learning experiences.

My Picture Metaphor: I chose this picture to represent my ideas of fostering a love of learning by incorporating nature as much as possible into the learning experience.

Interesting Fact: I have been married for 19 years. I have 4 children that range in age from 26-11 and 2 black labs Penny (1 Year) and Stuart (10 weeks).

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Hello my name is Jackelyn but I go by Jacky. I am an Early Childhood Development major and I will be graduating in the fall with my AAS.

Interests/Hobbies:

Something that I enjoy doing is baking. I will prefer to make a desert over cooking dinner any day which is actually funny because my mother is a chef.

Why you're taking this class

I am taking this class because it is a requirement that I need to fulfill but also it provides me with useful information that will benefit my teaching.

What you hope to gain from this class?

Something I hope to gain from this class is insight on admins reasoning as well as useful information which can be implemented in the classroom.

Favorite quote or picture that is a metaphor that represents you.

I choose this picture because this is how I feel when it comes to children having a two year old and another on the way I would like people to treat them as their own therefor I tend to do with with others children's.

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Hi, My Name is Cavangaline Ballenger. My major is ECD and I will complete my program by the end of 2025.

Interests/Hobbies

I am a dancer and an encourager at heart. I love to motivate others. I love serving in my community. Cooking makes me happy, but so do dogs, children and my Kiddo (he's a whole 16 year old).

Why you're taking this class?

I am taking this class so that I can fill in any gaps I am missing in my managerial foundation in the ECE field.

What you hope to gain from this class?

I hope to hear information that helps me to see things from a different perspective. I also hope to learn more about best practices in the ECE field.

Favorite quote or picture that is a metaphor that represents you.

The picture that I chose represents the fact that I will never lose my sense of wonder and ability to connect with children (even while in a leadership position). Often times we don't allow ourselves to be curious about what children are curious about. We also don't allow ourselves to see things from an array of perspectives. Full of amazement. In my journey, I never want to lose that along with the joy of it.