Personal Essay: Personal Narrative: Who Am I?

I was brought up in a small town called Thomasville; one of the most charming southern towns I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Tradition is of the essence and service to the community is what the residents value most. Through my hometown, I’ve learned a sense of commitment and the importance of involvement. Thomasville has embedded in me tradition from the many practices that take place on the brick streets, such as Victorian Christmas, First Friday, and Rose Festivals. I also have Thomasville to thank for my ability to see diversity. Though there are mostly plantations in my sweet little town, a lot of folks retire there, too. There are not two people alike in Thomasville and that makes for deep conversations over local coffee.

3 work diligently to achieve the goal. Pa taught me to run on love and to run on life and Ma taught me to raise my hands and to always be myself, for that never changes. Through my parents, I was given roots and wings.

My siblings have influenced my culture in more ways than would be expected. I am one of six and each of us has chosen extremely different paths in life. My oldest sister, Katie, is a drug addict. She has been addicted to Meth for the past eleven years of her life. She has turned her back on her family and her children, who were adopted by my parents when they were only a few weeks old. My sister, Kellie, travels around the world modeling. She started her career when she was a teen and it has since taken her to some of the most beautiful places on earth. My brother, Justin, is openly gay living in California. He followed his heart out of Georgia and has made a happier life in L.A. I am paying my way towards a Doctorate in education while working a full time job. My little sister, Khia, just turned eleven and she is in accelerated classes at our local middle school. Lastly, my little brother, Tony, just turned ten, and he has a passion for all things boy – sports, hunting, and fishing. My siblings have opened my eyes to what many people are blind to – addiction, LGBT, and adoption. Because of them, I see the world more broadly with more of an open

I have a broader understanding of topics such as financial struggle, addiction, LGBTQIA, adoption, strict discipline, and small town values. I hope to be an approachable teacher who my students trust, because without trust, education is not possible. Because of the experience I have had with my siblings, I will create a safe and welcoming classroom where my students feel comfortable in expressing themselves without fear of judgment and criticisms. Because of the way I was raised by my mother and father, I will have class rules that all students will adhere to ensuring their safety and education. The tenderness my mother instilled in me will reflect in my role as a teacher, with a hint of my father’s sergeant discipline. I will be tender yet strict. I will expect the rules to be followed and effort to be shown. I will be understanding, yet expecting. I will be faithful in my role as a teacher and remain fast on the tract to changing lives through