EDUC 201-08: Diversity & Teaching

For my cultural memoir essay, I chose to include 3 images of me in my happy place. Each image is very dear to me, and each represents a huge part of my life. At first, I felt as though I was overthinking the topic of this essay and thinking about religion, and beliefs. Growing up, sports, and physical activity was a huge part of my life. It was all I wanted to do, and it made up a very large part of my personality. My favorite people to do it with were my close friends and family. The pictures which I chose to display each contain key parts of my culture, and identity. 

First, the image of my siblings and I is most important to me because nothing comes before family. They will always be my younger siblings and no matter what happens I will always be there for them and love them dearly. No matter how irritating they may be at times. My job is to be the best older brother they can ask for. That is by paving a good path for them to follow and be a good role model. Secondly, I included an image of my roommate, Eion and I. To me, it can have two different meanings. It displays the friends I have made since coming to school, and the positive impact they have had on my life since freshman year. Without them, I don’t know how much I would have liked college at all. They push me to be the best person I can be, and I know they will always have my back if I ever need them. It can also portray my love for running and how pushing my body to its physical limits day after day molded me into such a hard worker and fast runner. Lastly, I include a picture of me surfing. Given that I am from the south shore of Long Island, the beach has always been a huge part of my life since I was a baby. Whether it was taking the boat to the beach for an early morning surfing session with my friends, or lounging out with my grandmother, I have had an unconditional love for the water. In the summer, I worked on the water as a hand to the bay constables, and I also worked as a lifeguard. At the end of the day, my interests and values are the scaffolding of my culture and character. I often think ahead as to what kind of person I will be in the classroom with my kids. However, it is often hard to picture what I will be like because I am unsure of what being a teacher is exactly like. I would like to picture it as a bunch of cooperative kids who are respectful and listen to what I have to say. Although, I am sure this is a fantasy to some people. I am sure it wont always be easy, but I will do my best to be a good teacher and give my students the respect and attentiveness that I expect out of them. Judging by the person I am now; I think I will work great with children. I believe the way in which I value interpersonal relationships with my friends and family will make me that much more personable to work with children.  

In my life, I am fortunate to have parents and family who traveled with me. It opened my eyes to all of the different ways in which people live, and values that they have been accustomed to their whole lives. Also, having family who live across the country, and over seas in Ireland. It has opened my eyes to so many different experiences which has taught me so much about different culture.