My life as an educator

I have been posting about life issues on this blog. But now, I want to share about my career. I have been a classroom teacher for 9 years. I have had so many rich experiences in the classroom. For the past 3 years, I have taught in the Bronx, in a high needs school. The neighborhood in the Bronx is one of the poorest in the United States. There is a high prostitution rate in the neighborhood. Many early mornings, I have seen prostitutes looking for  clients outside outside our school building.

I have learned so much teaching in their neighborhood. The challenge has made me a stronger and more creative teacher.

It is now time for a new chapter in my life. I am about to finish a program at Hunter College that will allow me to be a principal and superintendent. As much as I love teaching, I am excited about doing something new in education

There will be many changes in education in the upcoming years as attention is turning on teachers and how children learn. It is a big political issue. I sincerely hope the best decisions are made in the best interest of children.

I feed my baby formula

I was bottle feeding my baby in Starbucks and a La Leche League member asked me if I breastfeed. First of all, it is highly personal to talk about my breasts. But sadly I felt the need to defend myself and explain to her why nursing did not work out with Miller.  He was not gaining even at his 3rd week visit on solely breast milk. Yes I paid a Lactation Consultant $250 to come to my house and used a supplemental feeder. Yes, I rented a hospital grade pump for $200. I went to the vitamin shoppe and bought $150 worth of herbs to increase my milk supply.

I tried hard to breastfeed Miller...I had so much milk 6 years ago for Miya. I also pumped loads of milk for Miles in the NICU which he did not get to use. But it did not work with Miller. The bottom line is that I wanted my baby to thrive, once he was on formula, he started gaining weight.

The model, Gisele, said it should a law that women breastfeed for 6 months. She said she does not understand why women would want to put liquid chemical down their babies throats!


When I bottlefeed/formula feed my baby, he looks into my eyes and smiles. The reason for this entry is to help women who feel guilt for not being able to successfully breastfeed. Look into your baby's eyes, push away the guilt and know that you will always do your best for him or her.

Someone Special

It has been a while since I posted last. I have been busy. I had a baby boy in November. He is now 8 weeks old. What a year! I had Miles, lost him a month later in the NICU.  Three months later, I got pregnant with Miller. There are so many simple things that I am loving right now.

1. To be able to see his face all the time (half of Miles' face was covered by a breathing tube and tape)
2. To be able to carry him whenever I want. ( I only carried Miles once in one month because he had surgery and was recovering)
3. To be able to take him on walks around the neighborhood (Miles never left the hospital).

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this little baby. When I left the funeral home last year, I really felt hopeless and dark about my future. Now things feel different. Someone special was taken from me but I received another special someone in return.