# data[].attributes.body
I was born in Bellwood, IL.

# data[].attributes.body
Relocated to Darien, IL.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My uniqueness sets me apart, but I still blend in.

# data[].attributes.body
My views of the world were shaped from my experiences. My experiences, whether good or bad, shaped what I know and how I think. Through these experiences, I have learned to adapt to my environment and become versatile with whomever I converse with or wherever I am. A major indicator of my awareness is because I am Black. I believe if I were not Black, my experiences would not be the same as those of another race. Similarly if I were not from a suburban, two parent,  middle-class household, my life would not be the same as someone from a single parent, low income neighborhood.

# data[].attributes.body
My mother is from the medical field profession and has worked at her job for over thirty years. My dad is a successful and powerful businessman. To this day, my father’s connections politically, socially, and legally, and has provided me with opportunities most people would not be afforded. Due to my parents' hard work and instilling the importance of education in me, I have always strove to have the best, be the best, and do my best. I knew that because of the color of my skin growing up that I would have to work twice as hard than my Asian and Caucasian neighbors.

# data[].attributes.body
I did not like school initially when I was growing up. Math, science, and social studies was very hard for me to understand. I believe I was in the sixth grade when things started to “click” for me. I recall a conversation with my grandmother and her detailing to me how life was for her growing up in Mississippi and picking cotton. She was only able to go to school during cotton picking off season and when she did attend school, she loved it. My grandmother graduated high school as Valedictorian for her class. She wished that she had the opportunity to go to school because she believes and I do too, that she would have really been amazing at anything she strove to be. After that conversation I had with my grandmother, my entire outlook on life and education changed. I excelled in middle school on the Honor Roll, I graduated high school on the Dean’s List a year early, and graduated a semester early and Cum Laude with my Bachelor’s degree.

# data[].attributes.body
Once I actually took a liking to school, I did not have to try hard to succeed. I rarely studied, I completed my homework, but tests were definitely not something I enjoyed. I always over thought and second guessed myself. To this day, I still sometimes do the bear minimum and have a great outcome or not try as hard as I feel like my peers have to. I am an extreme procrastinator and wait until the last minute to do things.

# data[].attributes.body
Growing up as the only Black girl in my grade and school throughout elementary and middle school was very tough for me. I experienced racism, bullying, and treated unfairly due to the color of skin. A majority of my classmates and teachers did not believe that I could be as intelligent as I was because I was a Black girl. Many thought I lived in an apartment, did not have a father at home, or lived with a bunch of people in my home. Whenever I did have friends from school over, they were shocked at how beautiful my home was, clean, and that I had my own bathroom, bedroom, and playroom. Ironically when I went to high school, where Blacks were the equivalent to the majority Caucasian population, my Black peers were shocked at how big my house was; it had four levels, a full bar in the basement, a big backyard with a full deck, and a three car garage. They could not believe that I was a typical Black girl whose parents were not famous, celebrities, or had illegitimate careers to make money.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was in the third grade, a week after New Years, my father became paralyzed from the waist down after being carjacked. He was the first individual for years that I knew that had a disability. He had to learn how to navigate life in a wheelchair, still provide for his family, and to this day,  be the most successful, powerful businessman he is today. I tell him all the time that he is a superman in a wheelchair, no cape. My dad has always strived to go above and beyond and never let him being unable to walk deter him from any challenges, resistance from others, or prejudice and misconceptions people have of him simply because he is in a wheelchair. I used to hate when he told people he was handicapped because I believe you are as limited as you limit yourself if you have a disability. I believe I carry this rationale as I work and will one day teach students with special needs. I see them as the individuals they are, not the abilities they struggle with or lack.

# data[].attributes.body
Who am I...

# data[].attributes.headline
How do your identity markers, intersections, beliefs, and epistemologies inform your relationships with students and approaches to teaching and learning?

# data[].attributes.subject
How do your identity markers, intersections, beliefs, and epistemologies inform your relationships with students and approaches to teaching and learning?

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that Who I am impacts my relationships with students and the way I teach tremendously. I have a lot of identity markers that my students can identify with. I also have experiences that I can share with my students that would make me relatable as well. I enjoy learning from others and I am a great listener, so I will enjoy hearing what my students have to share. I am very big on empathy and treating people how you want to be treated, so I will practice this in my classroom and instill this into my students. I will guide my instruction through hands on activities, connecting students to their curriculum using their prior knowledge or background, and providing meaningful learning experiences that students can use not just in the classroom but outside my classroom and in their lives as well.

# data[].attributes.body
Module 7 Discussion Journal Entry 1

The intersections of disability and other identities can lead to ableism. Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities. Under this belief, people with disabilities are defined by their disability and treated as second class citizens. When this occurs in schools, it stifles the progress of students with special needs. For example, student’s IEPs may not be followed or materials provided may be inaccessible. The school environment can also contribute to ableism by prohibiting the independence of students and/or the mistreatment of students with special needs through poor attitudes.

Intersectionality emphasizes that students of other races, gender, and other identities should be treated equally and fairly not based upon their features.

It is important to treat students with disabilities as regular students. They should not be defined solely by their disabilities. Therefore when referring to them, it is imperative to be respectful and refer to them as people first then by their disability. Students with disabilities have IEPs for a reason. It not only supports their learning but details how to improve their academic success, too. Teachers must encourage inclusion and educate their students about students with special needs. Learning should be universal for all students, not just for some.

Intersectionality helps me understand how people with disabilities are marginalized even more and it is necessary for me as a teacher to have an inclusive classroom environment to help end discrimination. It is important to me that I prevent the mistreatment of not only students with disabilities, but those of different socioeconomic statuses, races, and other identities as well in hopes to make a positive change in society.

I found Keri’s story really inspiring. She wears so many hats and made numerous contributions to her community. Based upon the experience Keri shared, I would like to make sure my students are aware that I care about them. I want to ask them questions about how their day is going, how they are feeling, and if there is anything that I can do to help. Empathy and compassion for my students is very important to me. I want them to know that I am not just their teacher, but someone they can confide in and express themselves freely to. I will always try my best to find solutions and resources for my students.

I identified the most with Keri. My father is a parapalegic and is extremely involved in his community. He helps so many people. He is literally a superman in a wheelchair. I have noticed that a lot of people always call and rely on him for money, a listening ear, or for any and all help. Rarely do people ask him how he is doing, if he needs anything, or just to converse without asking for anything in return. After listening to Keri’s story, I would like to reach out to my father more to let him know I appreciate him for all he does, not just for being my dad, but for being everyone’s hero.