1. Introduction Christina Jones EDU 671

2. Who am I? My name is Christina Jones. I reside in Fort Washington, Maryland with my 14 year old daughter, who will be starting high school this fall. Where has the time gone? Maryland has been the only state I have lived in but I do visit other places on vacations, which I take every year.

3. Professional Background I have been working in the Early Childhood Education field for approximately 22 years and I love it. I started out early in my career as a teachers aide for a toddler class. I have held many different titles and played many different roles, all which helped prepare me and be become successful at what I do. I am currently a Director for Bright Horizons Children’s Center. I have worked for this company for nine years. I started as an infant teacher and worked my way steadily up. I truly enjoy what I do because I have the opportunity to not only guide the lives of young children but the educators that work with them. I love what I do and I love the company that I work for.

4. Personal Interest I enjoy many different things and many of them my daughter and I enjoy together like cooking, music, photography, shopping, and movies. We are currently both learning how to play the acoustic guitar, which is such a beautiful instrument. For my “me time” and relaxation I really enjoy a great book.

5. School Dayz School was always fun for me. I was a bit shy in elementary school. I didn’t really start to come into my own until high school. For some reason I remember having this boast of confidence entering 9 th grade. There was no one particular experience that sticks out the most but I had several teachers in high school that just believed in their students and didn’t allow us to not believe in ourselves. My chorus teacher in high school was so wonderful and memorable to me because she helped me recognize my talent and my ear for music and she never ever let me say “I can’t do that.” I appreciate her for what she saw in me and many skills and things learned I was able to pass down to my daughter.

6. My Future I am enrolled in the MAED program. I am hoping that receiving this degree it will assist me in advancing to the next leadership level within my company, which is a Regional Manager. I am strong believer that education will open many doors for you, so I don’t know particular how having my Master degree will help me in the future, but I do know that it will place me in a better position to be successful and educated about the field that I have grown to love and appreciate.

7. Quotes “The secret in education lies in respecting the student” Unknown Author “Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child” Unknown Author