Elsie's Childhood Web

Let me start my Childhood Web with my older sister Rebecca and my younger brother Joseph. I was the middle child and was always the child that looked at what my sister was doing that I shouldn't do. I was also the one that had to be there for my brother. These two shaped my childhood because they were part of me. When I needed help in school or I got in trouble my teachers would walk me over to my sisters classroom to have a "chat." I in turn helped my brother with his school work and became his personal tutor. He was a big influence in me becoming a teacher.

 I was very family oriented so all my influences and the people who nurtured me, cared about me, and made me feel special came from my immediate family. Above is a photo of my family before my younger brother came into the picture a few years later. I was 4 years old here, and this was a few months before I entered into preschool. My father was the one who would come up with fun learning activities for my sister and me. He made sure learning was fun. The one game I remember playing were these Word Search Cards. My father would write words on cards and spread them all over the floor. Me and my sister would race each other to find these cards. It was my favorite game and I use this activity with some of my students who need movement involved in learning.

The photo here is of my Mother and My Titi Dora. These two women are the reason I am Elsie Dolores Baker. They raised me, gave me the wisdom that is instilled in me, and they always pushed me to work harder, do more, reach for my goals and continue my education. I would not be pursing my Masters now if I did not have their encouragement. My mother influenced me in becoming a teacher because it was through helping her that I loved to teach. Not only young children but I loved guiding adult learners as well.