My Ethnic Identity

Essay by afelton1906College, UndergraduateA, October 2007

download word file, 3 pages 3.0

My personal cultural background was full of many experiences that I carry with me from day to day to remind me what used to be. I grew up in what one would describe to be an upper middle class setting. I am the middle child of five. I have two sisters and two brothers; one of each gender older and younger. We were brought up in a single parent household, raised by our mom. We were afforded certain luxuries because of our mom’s work history with the federal government and the U.S. Air Force. My response to all of this may influence my future teaching styles and habits. Then the amount of interaction or close association I have experienced with people whose cultural context is different from mine has also played a big role in how I perceive and look at things. The impact of this has greatly shaped what I do from day to day.

I grew up an average student with much potential. I feel that because I did not come out as an overachiever I was more understanding and experienced instruction that is more compassionate. When I did not understand something, my instructors would reach out a helping hand and guide me along the path to understanding. This showed me that they not only cared about their competency but whether or not I excelled in their classes. Overall, it was quite a tranquil and caring setting where I felt as if I actually mattered.

In response, I feel that they have greatly influenced not only my wanting to be a teacher but also how I will reach out to my students. How they took the time out to help me not only when it came to academics but also in personal endeavors. My speaking styles and ways...