MY PERSONAL STATEMENT My name is Leonise Francis Carter, a mother and an individual who has confronted many situations and

ordeals relating to children. I am committed to reforming public and private education, and have a particular interest in improving free accessibility for all individuals who are less fortunate and cannot afford the cost of schooling in our community, thus giving them the advantage of a brighter future where education is concerned. As a result of my own experience, I am familiar with the frustration and despair of struggling to achieve my goal in life because of the aforementioned, and I am convinced that making early childhood education free can and will bring hope to our future generation. My applying for this Associates Degree is a start in pursuing my life mission and passion to make Early Childhood Education accessible to all. I began preparing for this mission by volunteering as a VBS helper at the Church of God (Holiness), Anguilla. There I assisted children with songs and games, encouraged them to display their creativity through art, drama and music. I interacted with parents, learned about children and their talents, and valued each one as an individual. I also realized their immense potential and developed a love and passion for working with young children. This passion deepened when I was accepted as Preschool Teacher at the Church of God (Holiness) Preschool in the Valley, Anguilla in 1994 to 2000. My primary role in that position was again working with children ages two and a half to five years old. It was a learning process for me which I took very seriously as I kept in mind my life mission. During that time I attended all the available trainings offered to teachers by the Education Department, and embarked on sitting my CXC Examinations to better equip me. In addition to the training and experienced gained I obtained passes in Social Studies, English A , Accounts, Office Procedures, Principles of Business at General Level and Commerce at GCE O level. After three years at the school I became the principal, and thus was afforded the opportunity to not only teach and interact with children but also the chance to manage an early childhood institution. I liaised with parents through organizing fund raisers and P.T.A meetings, reporting to the school board, and assisted in improving parents and students relationships. In 1996 I served as president of the Early Childhood Organization for one year. During this tenure I organized school events with other teachers, prepared brochures and provided relevant information to all the preschools on the island. I was gratified when my efforts resulted in positive responses from other teachers, and the student I taught became high achievers. I tutored as a substitute teacher at Orelia Kelly Primary School when needed. Having two children who presently attend school, I am actively involved in their schools committees and often accept any position appointed to me. Although I have not yet obtained a degree in education, my teaching and life experiences have given me an appreciable knowledge of the education field. My most recent employment was Principal for the LIC Rainbow Preschool, where I was solely responsible for establishing and opening the school in September of 2012. The role of managing and making the surroundings suitable and conducive to learning was a great achievement when it was approved by the Education Department. I have also completed the most recent Preschool Teachers Induction training offered by the Education Department from September 2012- December 2012. My long-term goal is to use my past experience and this associate degree as a stepping stone to help make education accessible to all, whether I am working in the public or private sector. This degree will significantly enable me to fulfill my life mission, and thereby make my life more meaningful and rewarding.