Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because they provide me with an opportunity to grow, love, share experiences and develop friendships. Because of the positive relationships in my life I have flourished into the spectacular individual that I am.

    (One of our funny family moments)

The relationships I created as a child, with my parents, and siblings (5 sisters) continue to carry on in my adult life.  They have continued to play a major role in my life.  These life long bonds that I developed with them has helped me be a better person and be able to face and deal with difficult decisions that I have and will encounter in life. My father taught me that I had to treat people as I would like to be treated. My mother taught me it is better to give than to receive and how to become an independent and hardworking individual. My parents and siblings, up to this day, have always supported me in my academic endeavours. Being the last of six daughters my sisters have always supported and protected me. Even as an adult, they still think of me as the baby in the family.  These strong family relationships have molded me and allowed me to possess a positive outlook on life.  Although some of us (my siblings and I) have moved out of my parents’ home we often reunite for special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, birthdays and other family moments.  These family moments are also attended by my extended family (aunts, cousins, uncles) with whom I also have a special bond. These family moments have nurtured in me a culture of family loyalty which has been a huge part of my life.

My nieces, nephew, grand nieces and nephew are very close to me.  The bond that I fostered with them is so deep that I am like their second mother.  Whenever, I was seen with them I would say that they are my daughter or son.  I have always played a great role in their academic achievements.  They would call me at any time asking for advice or assistance with school work and I would always give them my full attention.  I love them to death and strive to be someone that they can always count on.

The relationship I have with my partner helps me to strive to be a better person. Our relationship is one of trust, understanding, commitment and support.    He inspires me to want to achieve more as he would usually stay up with me while I complete assignments.

My friend and colleague Virginia is also very important and special to me.  Having entered the profession very young, she played a major role in mentoring me.  Because of her passion for the profession, this kept my passion alive.  I have developed a burning desire to help every child develop to their optimum.

Like everything else, there are challenges faced in developing and maintaining relationships.  It is imperative that the relationship is viewed as a partnership and that all partners remain open minded, patient, understanding and non-judgmental.  We need to be trusting and respect each other’s opinion, knowing when we should compromise.

Because of the positive relationships in my life, I have developed some partnerships with my colleagues and pupils’ families in which we work together for the holistic development of the children.  The knowledge of the influence that I have on my pupils and their families requires me to draw on the qualities that I gained from my personal relationship of trustworthiness, a good listener, a good communicator and positive thinker.