Personal Childhood Web

My first dedication goes to my mom, Daisy Farmer who taught me to have common sense values first and then all else will follow.  She was very supportive in my education and although she only had an 8th grade education, she made sure that my brother and myself did our best in school.  I remember her attending PTA meetings and whenever I was in a school play, she would make sure that I had my costume and new my lines.  A lot of times she could not help me with my homework but she would make sure that my brother did or I stayed on my work until I figured it out.  She always boast about my achievments to others and that gave me a great sense of achievment.

Second, goes to my dad, William Farmer, who is deceased now but he believed in the education system.  He was a custodian for 32 years with the school system and he always spoke highly of the teachers and always wanted me to be a teacher so I guess I grew up with the teacher mentality in me due to him.

Third, my brother, Walter Farmer, who was 8 years older than me and I felt always smarter than me (because he got skipped in 2nd grade).  He always helped me with my homework and challenge me in my studies.  My favorite lesson he taught me was the Months of the Year Song.  In that song I learned what months have 31 days and what months have 30 days and also the one that has "28 and each leap year 29".

Fourth, my best friend, Diedre.  She is 2 years older than me and she taught me what real friendship is.  She was overweight and I was underweight but we balanced each othe out.  When I wanted to go out for cheerleader, she helped me learn how to turn a cartwheel and roundoff and how to do a good split.  We enjoyed riding our bikes together and whatever I was involved in, she was right there to support me.

Finally, my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Cook.  I remember wanting to be just like her.  Wear the shift dresses, the black cat-eyed glasses, and black pointed-toe shoes.  I knew I was her special student because she always let me read out loud and she chose me to play Santa Claus in the school play (although I was the skinnest child in 2nd grade and I was a girl) because I was the best reader.  Because she labeled me as being the best reader, I did not want to let her down so I behaved in class and helped her with any assignment.  I am a teacher because of her influence on me.  By the way, she was a GREAT TEACHER!