**The original story was published at El Diario-La Prensa**
by: Zaira Cortés/EDLP
Translated by: Veronique de Miguel
Photo: EDLP MARIELA LOMBARD
New York – If anybody asks Eileen Campos (36) how many children she has, she will answer without hesitation that there are 27: She is the mom of two children -9 and 4 years old- and teacher of 25 kids at the UFT Charter School in East New York, Brooklyn.
This Puerto Rican has been a teacher since she was 21, but her work does not finish when the classroom closes its doors. It goes on at home where Campos continues teaching her children and uses social networks to educate parents by means of her popular blog “Mommy Teaches”: www.mommyteaches.com.
Eileen Campos describes herself as a teacher 24 hours a day. Despite how long and busy her days at school can be, she never put aside her passion for writing, inspired by her experiences in the classroom and as the mother of a boy diagnosed with ADHD.
What made you to become a modern blogger mom?
I have loved writing since I was a young girl, and I did at any moment, even on the paper towels that my mother used in the kitchen. I graduated from the University of New York with my Master’s with honors and chose to be a teacher because I love working with young children, but I never abandoned my dream to be a writer. When my son was diagnosed with ADHD, the impulse was born in my heart to start journaling to express how harsh it was to face the situation. Writing healed me and I thought that perhaps other parents needed to know that they are not alone in this same struggle. One night I decided to write to Lorraine C. Ladish, Editor in Chief of Mamiverse.com, a site dedicated to Latin mothers. She agreed to publish my work and soon parents with children with special needs began to write to me. The rest is history.
What does your family think about this blog?
My family does not always accept that I share our experience with respect to the ADHD, but as long as I can change someone’s life by showing them the way I am able to help my son, I will continue doing it. I heard from some of my family members that, “He’s a BOY, it’s normal that he behaves like this,” but my educator instinct told me that it was not normal, and in opposition to the advice of some very near relatives, I looked for the resources that my son needed. Many parents who follow my blog feel consolation when reading that it is possible to unite the family in a so difficult a situation.
What is the challenge of being mother, educator and “blogger” at the same time?
To obtain a balance among the three activities is not easy, but also not impossible. To be a dedicated educator helps me to be better mother, and to be a “helicopter mom,” always alert and watchful, nourishes my abilities as a teacher. All this combined is the raw material for my blog… plus being surrounded by children makes it difficult not to be creative!
What are your future plans with your passion to write?
I want to publish a book for children. It would be my gift to those children who have taught to me during the time I was supposed to be teaching them.
Awesome article-I am so proud of you! I can’t wait to read your book!
Kimberly,
Thank you so much!!!
I appreciate you reading and commenting!
I appreciate your kind words and I can’t wait either!!! 😉
Hugs…..
Congrats! You Rock Eileen!