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My mom read me stories and nursery rhymes. . . . . . .
I loved when my mom had time to read to me. I have 3 older brothers and so my mom had very little extra time but she did take time to read to us. My oldest brother stuttered and she was told that if she read rhymes with him it would help with his stuttering. One of my favorites was a large book of nursery rhymes that I have today. -
First book I ever read. . . . .
My grandma had a strong presence in my childhood. We lived really close to her so I remember spending a lot of time with her as a child. I believe she played a large role in teaching me how to read. Ballerina Bess was the first book I ever read. -
Starting elementary school. . . . . .
Back when I went to school, reading wasn't pushed until first grade. In kindergarten we learned songs and made crafts. When I went to first grade I was sent to resource for reading fluency. I knew how to read but struggled to read out loud. I would mix letters up, skip words, or say words that weren't there. I still struggle with some of these issues today, nearly 35 years later. Despite this, I enjoyed the stories I read, like Frog & Toad, The Box Car Children, and Ramona Quimby. -
Third through sixth grade. . . .
Because I struggled to read, I never really took to it in elementary school. If I had to read something I did my best to read and understand. It was never something I did in my spare time. I was easily distracted and usually needed a reason or question to answer in order to read. -
Pre-teen. . . . . . .
As a pre-teen I found an author that I liked and I hit a stride with reading. I read all the books I could get my hands on by that particular author. -
High School. . . . . .
In high school I was distracted by boys, driving, and more freedom. Once again, I only read when I needed to. -
Right out of High School. . . .
Right out of high school I went to college. I didn't go because I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I went because that was the next step. It was what I thought I had to do. Therefore, I only read what I needed for college. -
A new mom. . . . .
I became a mom early, just before my 22nd birthday. I wanted to give my son the same example that my mom had given me. I read to him. I read from the nursery rhyme book and from other fun books. -
Reading in adulthood. . . . . .
I have struggled as an adult to make time for reading. Once I was part of a book club. That was fun because we would read a book each month and then meet to go over it. I enjoyed that time. However, unless I had a reason to read or a suggestion, I haven't read as much as I would like to or probably should. -
Returning to college. . . . .
I have gone to school off and on all throughout my adult life. I have not yet finished any degree program though. In Spring semester 2016, I enrolled at NSC determined to complete my degree. In Fall 2016, I took a class in which I was required to read A LOT. I learned so much and read many interesting books. It made me even more excited to be a teacher.
