MY GIFTS TO THE WORLD LLC
TAMPA, FLORIDA

With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education, I have been teaching for twelve years—the past four years as a full-time kindergarten teacher at Seven Oaks Elementary in Tampa, Florida. Prior to that, I worked as a full-time Pre-K-4 teacher at Independent Day School (IDS), a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, also in Tampa. During my five years at IDS, I was given the opportunity to work abroad in Spain as a kindergarten teacher and to train teachers there in some of IDS’s foundational philosophy and practices. These include both IDS’s M.O.R.E. Approach (Multiple Options for Results in Education) and what I learned about applying Dr. Spencer Kagan’s internationally acclaimed Cooperative Learning Structures in the classroom. I also was a contributing author to the highly acclaimed book co-written by Debbie Happy Cohen and the IDS Faculty ( answer to the question, “What is my gift to the world?” My mom is a Suzuki piano teacher and an accomplished musician. For many years, I’ve seen how playing and teaching music made her so happy and what a gift it has been to everyone around her. I grew up watching the magical effect it had on people. And I knew as a little girl this was my mom’s “gift to the world.” So, I sat down and wrote the original draft of this book, and then left it in a box for five years. Two years ago, I went back and revised it and had it professionally edited. It took five years for me to realize this is my gift to the world. With the help of my editor and my life coach, I started the series, featuring Valentina and her dog, Snickers. I hope this story (and those that follow) blesses everyone who reads it and helps you toward your purpose in life, your gift to the world. Lizette Geisler has given her “gift to the world”: To help children realize their uniqueness and come from a place of love. Children experiencing are more likely to look inside, discover their own unique gift, and come from that place to make a better world. What better “gift” — to help each child blossom in their own way? —Spencer Kagan, an internationally acclaimed educator, best-selling author and founder of Kagan Publishing and Professional Development. , is about a little girl named Valentina, who, upon asking her mother why she became a piano teacher, finds out that this was her mother’s “gift to the world.” The mother gives Valentina numerous examples of unique gifts and talents various people have, and how they share them with the world. Ultimately, Valentina is told that finding and doing what she loves will be her gift to the world. Every child (and adult) has a unique set of traits and talents,* which I call “gifts.” When you are aware of them – either as a parent or a teacher -- it will help you guide them toward their purpose in life, what they have the capacity to give to the world as a service, job, or career. We all know that when you give to others what you’re naturally good at, your own unique gifts, then you’re more likely to be happy . . . and others will be, too! That’s because each person you touch will be able to feel your enthusiasm and passion for life coming through in what you give. will hopefully inspire all children to grow in self-confidence and self-worth, by recognizing we are each blessed with special gifts that expand joy when they are shared with the world!