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My name was given to me by my father. My father once work in a construction site and he overheard a women's name. He thought it was beautiful so he held it as an option for me. The name has no known meaning but it stills means so much because it is a name that I am making have meaning.

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In my beloved church, I always feel the amazing support of my community. Whether it’s through a kind word, a shared prayer, or just a warm smile, I’m constantly reminded of the strength and beauty of the bonds we share. Being surrounded by such a caring, supportive group makes me feel grounded and connected, and it’s in these moments that I truly understand the strength of a supportive community. My church is a place where I find comfort, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

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My favorite characteristic about myself is my kindness. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always been a loving and compassionate person. I believe my kindness grew from the struggles I faced as a child. Having been knocked down so many times by others made me more emphatic. From my kindness, I never want to make anyone feel the way I once did. Instead, I try to lift people up, be an active listener, and be understanding. To me, kindness is a way to connect with people no matter where.

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My favorite object is my camera. It’s more than just a object for taking pictures; it’s a way to save special emotions and memories that would be forgotten with time. With each click I am able to freeze a moment, so I can revisit it whenever I want to. Whether it’s a big celebration with family, a quiet afternoon, or a adventure with friends, my camera holds all the moments that matter most to me.

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A recent book I came across touched my heart in a way I didn’t expect. I’m currently placed at a school with a high percentage of Spanish-speaking students. One day, after reading a book to the class, one of my Spanish-speaking students approached me and asked, “¿Puedes leer un libro en español ahora?” My heart sank, knowing how important it was for them to hear stories in their own language. That same day, I searched for a book that combined both Spanish and English, and I found one was perfect. I was so excited, I told my mentor teacher before I left for the day. The next morning, when I walked into the classroom, I saw the book sitting on my desk. My heart burst with joy and excitement. This book gave my ELL students a chance to enjoy reading at school!

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All these photos share a common theme which is literacy. Each image represents a different aspect of my learning journey, focusing on the funds of knowledge and family literacies that have shaped my understanding of literacy. Every photo connects to a personal experience where I learned something valuable, helping me grow in my literacy development. For example, one photo captures my daily literacy practices, such as reading a variety of book genres. By practicing literacy outside, I can bring these experiences into the classroom. This fund of knowledge allows me to engage with reading beyond the classroom, strengthening my literacy skills. By having these everyday literacy experiences, I can share meaningful moments with my future students, demonstrating that literacy is all around us. In the article "Family Lessons and Funds of Knowledge: College-Going Paths in Mexican American Families" by Judy Marquez Kiyama (2011), the author explores how funds of knowledge can strengthen students in their academics. Kiyama states, “Daily educational practices were illustrated in the households that connected directly to children’s academic experiences, and family and social networks provided key educational support,” (pg. 40, 2011) highlighting the connection between literacy and real-world experiences.  As a future teacher, this can help me teach my students by showing how literacy extends beyond books and is in our daily lives. This approach will help students see the importance of literacy in the world around them. These learning experiences do not have to come from a specific group, they can be drawn from many communities and cultures. For example, in the article, “Not just ‘sunny days’: Aboriginal students connect out-of-school literacy resources with school literacy practices,” by Lynne Wiltse (2015) talks about all the different cultural experience students bring into the classroom. Wiltse states, “…incorporating funds of knowledge is not about “replicating what students have
learned at home, but about using students’ knowledge and prior experiences,” (pg. 64, 2015). This shows how literacy is shaped by cultural. Students from different cultures and communities can relate to this by recognizing similar experiences in their own lives. By guiding their perspective, they can connect their personal experiences with the literacy practices they encounter everyday by themselves or with their family. For example, one of the photos I shared is from my church which reflects another literacy experience connected to my Spanish-speaking community and our religious practices. This project ties back to the concept of funds of knowledge because it allowed me to reflect on many of my experiences I hadn't recognized as literacy practices. I learned that literacy is all around us from a simple task like reading a book to camping with your family on random Saturday. Our daily lives help us learn more by making connections and bringing it into the classrooms.

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I am Nairy,

a given name that beautifully comes from the mouth of my mother.

I am the quiet that was left after the crashing waves of a typhoon,

listen closely and you will hear my tune.

I am the kindness that overflows from a heart once broken,
a compassion that was born from the pain.

I am the strength of roots that hold onto an oak tree,
you might not see me as I am deep beneath the ground,

but I am there.

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My everyday literacy practices revolve around reading whenever I have free time. There's nothing I enjoy more than laying down with a good book and a cup of coffee in my hand. For me, reading is not just to past time, it's a way to explore new worlds and experience different perspectives. It’s a fun way to open my mind to endless adventures while being in my room. I have always been the biggest bookworm!

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There are many moments in my daily life that cause me cultural discomfort, often from how people treat my family and me differently because of the way we look or the language we speak. I was sending a picture to my mom, asking her what candy she wanted, when I called her and started speaking to her in Spanish. Suddenly, a woman walked by and whispered, "Speak English." I was surprised and felt only embarrassment. These types of experiences always leave me feeling like we’re being judged or excluded.

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My parents’ land, El Salvador, is very beautiful. The views, the people, and the food sends off such warmth and welcoming energy that’s impossible to miss. There’s a special charm to it that I truly love. But, as much as I admire its beauty, I also feel the sadness that lingers here. Everywhere you go, there are vendors at every corner, trying to pull you in and sell all kinds of things. At first, I felt frustrated and irritated by it. But over time, I began to understand that these are people simply trying to make a living with whatever they have. It shifted my perspective, and I realized that behind the constant hassle is the struggle of a community trying to survive.

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In high school, I had a literature teacher who gave each of us a writing journal. Every day when we entered his classroom, the first thing we had to do was write about anything and everything. Whether it was about our day, how we were feeling, or even a short poem, we were encouraged to let our thoughts flow freely. I absolutely loved this routine because, as a writer!

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My biggest strength for teaching diverse students comes from being able to relate to many different struggles they face. I was once a student in ESOL myself. It was hard trying to learn a how new language I never knew of. So, when I see all these diverse students who may speak different languages I am able to have more patience and empathy.

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One potential bias I’ve noticed in myself as a teacher is that I tend to lean more toward the Spanish-speaking students because I can communicate with them in their language. I find myself paying more attention to their needs and engaging in more conversation with them. While I want to be supportive, I recognize that this can creating an imbalance in how I interact with my students.