# data[].attributes.body
Growing up, my mom had many baby dolls. She gave them all kind of unique names, one of them was named Mary Beth. She loved the name so much she named me, her first daughter, Mary Beth.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was in kindergarten I had a very hard time writing and spelling my name, Mary Beth. I was then called Beth and wrote this on all my school papers.

# data[].attributes.body
My dad asked me one day if I would like to be called Mary or Beth instead of Mary Beth, and I chose Beth. He gave me nicknames: Bethirooni and Bethie.

# data[].attributes.body
I steered clear of the nick name Mary because of my brother. He would always pick on me and sing Mary had a little Lamb. I don't know why it bothered my so much.

# data[].attributes.body
To this day my dad still calls me Bethirooni. I love that he has a special nickname for me, no matter how old I get, the name sticks.

# data[].attributes.body
When I got older I chose to go by Mary Beth because that was the name my mom gave me. I was not the little girl who struggled with reading and writing anymore, I was no longer just Beth. I was Mary Beth.

# data[].attributes.body
COMPASSION (watch video) https://youtu.be/8Wi0UWLeT9I I picked this characteristic because it is natural for me to be aware of other people's feelings. I show this video to shed light on how compassion changes lives. Having compassion is key as a teacher because I will ensure every student is valued.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Featuring my side kick! Photo taken by my right hand man.

# data[].attributes.body
This photograph represents how I see myself, "flexible". I adjust to change very well without throwing a tantrum or giving up on goals.

I also take pride in my health and fitness ability. I can physically bend and move my body with grace.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the first gift my brother ever bought me. It's my birthstone ring. He was 17 years old and used his paycheck from his first job to buy my sister and I a gift for Christmas that we would treasure forever. We were raised by a single father so my brother felt a lot of responsibility with caring and supporting us. I wear this everyday, to think of him.

# data[].attributes.body
My sister and I are two years apart, and she is a significant person in my life. She holds me accountable, loves me deeply and is someone who I can depend on. Our relationship is long-lasting, 24 years strong!

# data[].attributes.body
I believe in going to church on Sunday's and small groups on Wednesday's. I believe that building strong relationships with peers that have the same outlook on life and love for Jesus is important. I value serving on Sundays in the children's nursery and praying over those in and outside my community.

# data[].attributes.headline
Values and Privileges That Come With Being A Part of My Community

# data[].attributes.subject
Values and Privileges That Come With Being A Part of My Community

# data[].attributes.body
I grew up going to church every Wednesday night. My dad would have my neighbors drop us off at the church on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. We did not get regular homecooked meals, we thrived on sandwiches, cereal, and fast food. I looked forward to Wednesdays because the church would feed us a home-cooked meal. My dad worked a lot to provide for four kids, so he never made it to Wednesday nights at Ivy Creek. My best friends and second home were here at the church. I spent my summers here attending VBS, and celebrating holidays; always participating in Christmas plays, and trunks or treats. This community helped me grow and was a big part of my upbringing. As a mother, I make sure my kids get a home-cooked meal at least five days a week and participate in church like I did growing up.

# data[].attributes.headline
My Weakness on Teaching Diverse Students

# data[].attributes.subject
My Weakness on Teaching Diverse Students

# data[].attributes.body
My biggest flaw and concern when teaching diverse students is only knowing the English language. I do not want students to become unmotivated because I can not hold a conversation in their home language. I will provide photos of everything possible when teaching my ELL learners. For example, new vocabulary, and complex words in a problem. I do get concerned that these extra efforts would increase my workload and tire me out overtime.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My strength on teaching culturally diverse students.

# data[].attributes.headline
My Strengths on Teaching Diverse Students

# data[].attributes.subject
My Strengths on Teaching Diverse Students

# data[].attributes.body
My classroom will be surrounded by sight words in English and Spanish. My trash can, cabinets, tables, and pencil boxes will be labeled in English and Spanish so all students can learn and become familiar with both. I will also have my students create a culture box and share it with the class on the second week of school so we can learn about our peers and welcome diverse cultures. I chose this photo because I will have a bulletin board in my classroom that looks almost identical to this to remind students we are all unique and it is something to celebrate. I will encourage my students to speak their home language in the classroom amongst peers.

# data[].attributes.body
I come from a divorced family. I was raised by a single father with the help of my older siblings. I always felt embarrassed about school events because nobody showed up for me. My dad worked full time and my mother was nowhere to be found. I always felt unseen and not important in grade school. I choose to share this discomfort because there will be students like this in my classroom. I will do my best to make them feel seen and heard. I will show up for all of my students and make them feel seen.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
I had the privilege to see myself in my favorite books growing up. I was represented.

# data[].attributes.headline
An Important Book / Literature Experience

# data[].attributes.subject
An Important Book / Literature Experience

# data[].attributes.body
I grew up being represented in books, I mean, I was a middle-class white girl from the south. My best friend in Elementary school was Jessica. Jessica is Mexican and loved to read just as much as I did. I wonder if she felt represented like I did in our favorite childhood books. My favorite pick from the library was anything, Junie B. Jones. She was my favorite character and full of attitude. We shared the same sense of humor, oh how her sassiness made me laugh. She would say things like, "Dogs can smell everything. People can mostly just smell big smells. Like stink and flowers and dinner." This was from one of my favorite books, Junie B. Jones and The Stupid Smelly Bus. I loved how she looked similar to me, I always wore glasses and had short hair. I felt represented by her in the majority of the Junie B. Jones books.

# data[].attributes.body
Play: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+song+when+you+need+me+by+bruce&sca_esv=578202142&biw=1285&bih=907&tbm=vid&sxsrf=AM9HkKlYFC4HXq0_ru84bzq5oX0clPq_bg%3A169877

This video represents one of my favorite literacy experiences. I love to dance. Dancing allows me to express myself through rhythmic expression as an impulse of movement. I feel one with the beat as I dance to my favorite songs. While I am cleaning my home, which is weekly, I turn the music up loud and dance alone or with my family. I remember my dad teaching me how to do the traditional father-daughter dance in our living room. Every time the song "When You Need Me" by Bruce Springsteen would play he would ask me to dance. One time this played at a restaurant and my dad asked me to dance, I was too shy to accept and always wished I would have just said yes. The memories of us dancing in the past are my favorite treasures.

# data[].attributes.body
I use these literacy practices everyday!

Examples:

Facebook

College

Pinterst

Children's books

Mail

Amazon

Hulu

# data[].attributes.body
This project helped me realize that literacy experience helps make us who we are. I enjoyed creating this piece, I found videos that described my story and shared photos that represent me. I think it's important for all students to share their cultural experiences and understanding of literacy. My belief isn't going to be everyone else's, but we must value that diversity. My awareness of who I am and my background as well as others, will help me with teaching the future generation.