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As a student I complete my assignments in many locations. With the advantage of doing online school, I am able to do my assignments at home, at a friends, house, a park, or on a trip. My husband's family lives in another state and I brought my assignments with me. When I went to a wedding in Atlanta, I brought my computer with me to do my assignments. My husband has been very supportive in helping me with my assignments., even volunteering to be in a video assignment. I have been fortunate to have supportive students and families that have allowed me to use their children for assignments. I do feel that there are times that I could be spending more time with my family, but doing it online allows me the opportunity to take my work anywhere. I try to maintain a work/family/play balance. It can be stressful sometimes but I know it is only for a season and that it will benefit my career which in turn will benefit my family.  I think that families can take  my experiences into account by making homework a family experience, making learning fun for the children so they don't feel they are missing out on life with the friends and family. “Spending time with others, feeling cared about by others, feeling encourages, and having a sense of being understood” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg.277).

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A.Turnbull,R.Turnbull,E.Erwin, L.Soodak & K.Shogren. (2015). Families, professionals, and Exceptionality: Positive Outcomes through Partnerships and Trust, 7th Edition. Uppersaddle, NY: Pearson.

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There have been times that I have received referrals from DHS. At times these are made because the family would like more support, but other times it is because there have been concerns with the child's development in regards to their environment. When going into these homes I give them family the same openness and respect that I would any other family. I gain their trust so that I can build a relationship with them and they will be more open to me working with the family.

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When doing the intake for a family I it is protocol that we bring out a family questionnaire/ survey. This includes questions that involve the families financial resources. As I get to know my families they usually begin to open up about their situation If they need assistance I usually connect them with food stamps, WIC, DHS, etc.

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"Knowledge is power and shared power is central to every partnership" (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg.282). When my husband and I were first looking for a house it was very overwhelming. I didn't even know where to start! I ended up finding a realtor online and that was where we got started. He connected us to a mortgage firm which helped when applying for a mortgage and the long process! The internet has made finding resources very easy. The problem is, not everyone has the internet. Connecting with a person that does have resources is critical. I feel that in my job as a service coordinator I found many resources in my area that I connect my families with. Whether it is a referral to a doctor, connections to medical care/equipment, or school assistance.

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Emotional support involves,  “spending time with others, feeling cared about by others, feeling encourages, and having a sense of being understood” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg.277). When seeking support I reach out to my friends and family. I have a strong support system to reach out to. I have had anxiety my entire life, my mother was a social worker and taught me ways to try and relieve stress and calm myself down when I have had panic attacks. I have a nice group of friends that like to stay active and explore new things. My two dogs also help me when I am feeling stressed. Recently I had a friend open up to be about a situation in her past. She explained to me that it was emotionally distressing to her. I listened to her and did not judge, I asked open-ended questions to help her feel comfortable.

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A coworker that I work with that I have never trusted is one I worked with about a few years ago. She placed judgement on me in the very beginning because I was new. She had been working there almost a year, but I had more experience so I feel that she never wanted to listen to what I had to say. I caught her gossiping about fellow coworkers numerous times and I don't tolerate that. I tried to talk with her about it but she just started to ignore me. She started to try and turn coworkers against me and it became a very uncomfortable situation. I always wondered how she handled conflicts with her families. I have taken this information into account when handling hard situations with my families. They have valid experiences that should be considered. They may be new to the world of special education, but they have a voice and should be respected.

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The person that I have worked with that I trusted the most was in my second year of working in schools. I was a title 1 teacher and worked to support the kindergartners at the tier 2 level. I provided a type of intervention that supported children in one classroom. The teacher that I was assigned to was absolutely amazing. She trusted me as an individual and we worked rather well together. We became a well oiled machine and assisted the children in multiple ways. If there was ever a miscommunication or issue, she immediately addressed it and we worked together to solve our problem.She showed trust by “being reliable, using sound judgement, maintaining confidentiality, trusting yourself” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg. 180). I used her as a model in my teaching prior to that experience. She went out of her way to help her families and make them feel comfortable. I feel that I have used that experience when dealing with my families.

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I can be a loner or work with others depending on the situation. I often times get carried away in my own thoughts and can "pump out" work pretty quickly. There are many times where I seek advice from others on situations. Especially when I am unsure or trying to make the most informed decision.

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When I was student teaching I had an experience that was very challenging. The mentor teacher did not want to give me control and it was very hard to gain her trust. I felt as if I was walking on eggshells at times. Once she gave me an equal opportunity, she saw my skills and trusted me. After that we had a very good relationship.

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We should “be sensitive to emotional needs, be available and accessible, go “above and beyond” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg. 171). I always strive to show my families that I work with that I am committed to their needs.  I do this by being consistent with my visits, keeping to my word, keeping in communication through text messages or phone, calls, and providing resources. If there is conflict with a time for a family, I always am in communication with them. I always offer alternative dates and times.

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When my husband and I signed our wedding vows we showed the ultimate sign of respect for one another. I think for me, going into homes, I must immediately show respect towards the family by respecting boundaries and their home. They are welcoming me as a guest and opening up their vulnerability. Sometimes it is hard to see all peoples strengths. My family and experiences have taught me to always look for positives in people. I always try to find one quality in someone that is positive. Most of my families demonstrate resiliency as a positive trait.

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My family has instilled in me a yearning for knowledge. My mother and I will have conversations for hours trying to figure situations out or researching new ideas. We enjoy going to museums and traveling. My husbands family has also provided opportunities for him to gain more knowledge. In order to gain competence it is important to "provide an appropriate education, continue to learn, set high expectations” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg. 166).  There are times when I feel very bad for some of the families that I work with. I have to remain professional and continue to think about the ways when which my experiences and family have taught me throughout the years.

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My parents and my husband have probably taught me the most about communication and its importance. We have always been and open and understanding family, always trying to listen to others and their opinions.  I always strive to “be friendly, listen, be clear, be honest, provide and coordinate information” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, Soodak, Shogren, 2015, pg. 163).

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I have a tendency to stay very busy. I have to remind myself to take a break and breath sometimes. I enjoy adventure! I try to eat a healthy diet and was raised eating a healthy diet. It is hard sometimes being busy, to always have a completely healthy meal, although I was raised with healthy eating,. My parents always involved me in sports and encouraged outdoor play. We lived in Atlanta, Georgia where it was often very hot! We spent many of our days swimming in the pool. My husband and I enjoy running together as a self-care hobby. We also find things to do together, as well as with our family and friends. I got to all my regular doctors appointments.

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I have a long tradition of education in my family. I have engineers, lawyers, doctors, business, speech, nursing, and social work in my history. All four of my grandparents went to university. My parents when to college an my dad has his masters. All of my aunts, uncles, great-aunts and uncles went to college. Education is highly valued in my family. My husband comes from a line of educated members as well. My parents always instilled a love in learning in me as well as involvement in extra curricula. I graduated with a bachelors degree in 2011.

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My family has a strong spirituality. My grandmama is one of the people who have taught me the most about spirituality through her story telling and pure faith. She would tell me bible stories before I would go to bed. She told me the stories in a way that made God relate-able and a symbol of love. I have always been involved in church because my family encouraged me to go and we participated as a family. I have worked in the nursery for years. My husband and I demonstrate our spirituality through our acts. We want to show other love, while being in-tuned to a God that is bigger than us. I see God in nature a lot, through the beauty of all the creation.

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My family is very close. We express affection through the ways we interact with one another. An example of this would be; on Monday nights my husband and I give each other time to do things with our separate family/friends. I usually go to my parents with my sister for a work-out and dinner, while my husband plays online games with his dad, brother, and some friends. We show affection by doing things together but allowing time to share our affection.

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We met in 2011 at the Yum Yum Tree in Brighton, married in 2013, and are celebrating our fifth anniversary this year!

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I am the first born. As you can see in the bottom right corner, I took that responsibility very seriously! My sister and I were always very close and we remain close. We were each others best friend through all of our moves. My sister also had ADD and some medical issues. She had several surgeries throughout our childhood. When I was younger I didn't quiet understand why she got what I thought was special attention, I learned to support her though. Not everyone learns the same and she taught me that. I am so proud of the woman she has become. She is also working on a Masters degree, despite moderate obstacles she has faced.

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I came from a military family. My parents were military kids and moved around the country. I also moved around the country. I lived in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, and now Michigan. My mom's parents grew up in New Orleans and then moved around. My dad's parents were from the midwest. My mom, dad, sister, and myself became very close. I met my husband shortly after college and we married in 2013. He is from Indiana. We love to travel as a family. His family live in Indiana, Illinois, and Georgia. We travel to see my family and his family. We have two fur-babies!

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My family was one that offered a lot of social support. We participated in family activities, had a strong relationship, and continue to be very close. The fact that we moved made us even closer, because we always had each other through every adjustment. We were very open door and discussed everything with each other. My husbands family is very similar and I have gotten very close with them as well. We were also a very spiritual family. We attended church regularly but also followed a spiritual moral.

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My family always sticks together. Once I was married my husband and I thought it was important to include both of our families in events. We have now become one big cohesive family. We may have some differences but we work through them.

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The women in this picture represent some of my biggest support system. I have been friends with some of them for over 10 years. Friendship is a beautiful thing.

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I have mentioned our moves several times. At one point we lived close to my mom's parents and spent time with them. When we moved to Michigan we were closer to my dad's parents. My grandparents were a huge part of my life, even when were did not live close. We always made an effort to talk on the phone or go visit. It was hard being so far from family and having to pick up new friends in each town we lived in, but we always tried to bloom where we were planted. I recently lost my grandfathers and it has been very hard on me.

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This is a picture of my grandmama. She is an amazing woman and inspiration. She is a true southern belle, but with a fierce drive and personality.

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My dad is a hardworking and sensitive soul. He taught me true work ethic and how to be kind.

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My mom is one of my best friends. She is my rock.

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She is great in the kitchen and taught me how to bake Christmas cookies. She is one sweet grandma.

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This is most of my husband's family minus his brother. We are very supported by both of our families.

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We don't have human children yet, so we spoil these two pups.

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Papa Hyslop was my papa bear. He gave great big hugs and had an amazing laugh. He worked and joked hard.

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My sibling in-laws have become real siblings to me. They are wonderful people

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When my dad went into the Navy Reserves he started working for GM, which ultimately landed us in a suburb of Flint. When the economy crashed he was laid off. Times were tough for a few months, but we stuck together. He eventually found a new job, but we managed to trial through it. It was hard to see businesses around our town closing and people struggling. We continued to eat together and play together as a family to get through it. We supported each other. I remember that Christmas not being as bountiful, but my mom went on Ebay and shopped for sales at the outlets to save money. That was the year she found me a beautiful birthstone ring.

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One of the times that my husband and I went to New Orleans we recreated a picture my grandparents took as newly weds.