In this episode Mark speaks with the passionately loving parent of 9, Maria Hansen-Quine. Can we just say, we were absolutely blown away by Maria & husband Sam’s compassion, strength and deep desire to make the world a more loving and understanding place.
Along with parenting, Maria has always been passionate about diversity. Twelve years ago, while a school counselor in Washington state she created a diversity unit which she taught regularly for 10+ years. Today, she has two children’s books which are a culmination of this curriculum and her experiences as a school counselor and a mom. "Be Different & Be Kind: A Story About Diversity" tells the courageous story of a character named Mariah and what it really means to be different from the other kids. Things improve for her when the school counselor comes in to class and teaches a new lesson. This book is a great resource to teach children about the beauty of diversity!
Maria has devoted the past 22 years to working with children, has worked in three different states, six different schools, two group homes, an outpatient therapy children's programs, homeless shelters, and has provided court mandated therapeutic in-home support to families. Maria’s passion for kids began in college during two summers spent running day camps in Camden New Jersey.
Maria currently works as a school counselor in a beautiful inner city community and her and her husband Sam have nine beautiful and diverse “precious jewels”, seven through adoption and two born biologically. Maria is passionate about many things including diversity, kindness, adoption, special needs, parenting, and God.
You do not want to miss this moving and motivational episode!
Connect with Maria Hansen-Quine
Website/Blog: preciousjewelsmamma.weebly.com/
Books: mariahansen-quine.weebly.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PreciousJewelsMamma/
The video interview at Hillsong: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=707698456459812
Video sharing a bit about Maria’s family and heart for adoption: vimeo.com/139302421
