PVAMU Alumna takes Story Telling by Storm as Mama Goose™
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Posted By: Frederick Roberts on June 18, 2017 There is something excitingly different about Mary Ann Palmer Spring: she's ambitious, talented, and determined to change the world of reading, story-telling and the lives of young people as Mama Goose™, her new name and persona. She’s a potpourri of Mary Poppins, Mother Teresa and Willie Wonka! Following a stint in the country music world - a lifelong dream - pageantry and higher education pursuit and three degrees- the Bachelor of Arts in Theater, the Masters in Education and the PhD in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University, Mama Goose began a teaching career at Bastian Elementary Houston ISD followed by assignments with Hempstead ISD and Ohio’s Albany ISD. In 2013 she found herself at DeZavala Elementary in the Channelview Independent School District, while braving a tragic loss of both parents. This new day at DeZavala sparked a passion for writing, storytelling and reading. Her principal, Mr. Manuel Escalante challenged her for new ideas to stimulate the school's reading program. Following her research and interviews of the principal and school personnel, the vision of creating a fictional, yet so real, persona was born - Mama Goose, likened unto England's fictitious "Mother Goose." However, her books are radically different than that of the legendary Mother Goose. Her style embodies an ethnic twist. The collection is the great coming-of-age cultural experience that has been missing from the rhymes’ genre, perhaps intentionally, for far too long. Mama Goose is moving in with that untold intelligence and creativity, a spectacular achievement for writers of color. Her guiding principle is to write whatever it takes for the kids to win at life. As Mama Goose she has the freedom to write and create books to inspire children to love and embrace the joy of reading. Affectionately, "Mother Goose" nursery rhymes opened a whole new world for her as she grew-up without books at home. Through her personal experiences and witnessing the sad reality of the absence of books at her students’ homes, her passion to write and illustrate children's books was borne. She listens to the kids, their parents, and colleagues while keeping her ear to the ground for a twist or two. “These kids are exceptional, they are like wet sponges, absorbing all the knowledge and information as quick as I can give their little brains . . . and I love every one of them,” says Mama Goose. Beginning with her teachings in both private and public education, she’s been viewed as a "motherly" figure. Her ability to program for success, ignite creativity and thought, and using her motivational formula - a few snacks for the children for a job well done, is a delightful trademark. To the faculty, staff, parents, and students she is no longer Dr. Spring but their “beloved" Mama Goose. She was also rewarded with the "Teacher of the Year" award in 2016. Mama Goose is riding the wave on the first of her four books - Reading and Rhyming with Mama Goose (a collection of nursery rhymes that reflect the charm and beauty of the American culture). The book is available on Kindle at Amazon.com. Others to come are Sammy Please Behave (a hilarious depiction of a seven year old who has a ball spoiling his new teacher's hope of peacefully retiring her last year); The Eyes of Texas" (a story about a girl and her parents on a mission to locate Texas symbols at a livestock show and rodeo); and Chocolate City (a brother and sister turn their entire city into chocolate and caused a national disaster). In 2017, in addition to the long story books, her ambition led her to embark on writing a book a day to address the issues, concerns and challenges of her students and the public. Additionally, Mama Goose has been sharing her writings with several special Book Concerts and Story Hours at Houston Area Chic Filet Restaurants. She looks forward to an ambitious book concert tour in 2017. In June DeZevala’s Principal Escalante planned and hosted a “Mama Goose and Papa Day” parade to recognize her contributions to the success and achievement at the school. Mama Goose believes God has found a special place for her in society. Her joy is to see a book falling into the arms of children who desperately seeks a world where they can step-in and step-out. That’s just the kind of magic Mama Goose creates - taking the world by storm one child at a time. For information on Mama Goose, contact Frederick V. Roberts UNITAN Communications 979-221-8430 unitancommunications@yahoo.com. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Frederick Roberts
President. UNITAN Communications, St. Francis Episcopal Church and Unitan Communications Prairie View A&M University class of 1977 Member Since June 2009 |
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