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Developing a Reader
I was born on Friday, August 20th, 1993. I grew up in a blue-collar family with parents who did not attend college. My mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a plumber and auto mechanic. They spend time reading to me, weather it be books or the news papers like pictured. Father and I reading [Personal photograph taken in Wimberley]. (1993). -
Hospital Gifts
At the age of seventeen months old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphomic Leukemia. Following my diagnosis, I spent most of the next year in the hospital. Many people blessed my family and me with getting well gifts, many of which were books. Pictured here are some of the books I received. One is a golden spine book which represents the majority of my childhood reading. The Pokey Puppy was undoubtedly one of my favorites!
Gifts at the Hospital [Personal photograph taken in Austin]. (1995). -
A Few Of My Favorite Things
An extended stay in the hospital brought many additional gift books. While I was to young to read by myself, pictured here is the day I received one of my most favorite books as a kid. The second book with the brown spine is a picture book of the poem/song titled My Favorite Things. While I was still very little, I would like to think that this book began my mild passion for reading and literacy.
My Favorite Book [Personal photograph taken in Austin]. (1995). -
Elementary School
The Boxcar Children Book 1. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.boxcarchildren.com/book/the-boxcar-children/ -
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Elementary School
I vaguely remember reading books for Pizza Hut coupons for free personal pan pizzas in elementary. I also recall these thick short story books we had to take home and read, I remember a Spanish poem titled Chocolate. I only wanted to read when I chose the books, if someone chose for me, I immediately shut down all reading. The Boxcar children was certainly a choice of mine!
The Boxcar Children Book 1. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.boxcarchildren.com/book/the-boxcar-children/ -
Danforth Junior High
Danforth Jr. High [Photograph found in Wimberley]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://goo.gl/DvLmUt (Originally photographed 2014, January) -
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Danforth Junior High
While we were still required to read books chosen by the school, we had more freedom with books for personal book review grades. I began to find authors and genres that I enjoyed. Additionally, I recall studying Greek Mythology in 6th grade and reading The Outsiders in 8th grade. Reading and literacy is much easier to obtain when its items you enjoy.
Danforth Jr. High [Photograph found in Wimberley]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://goo.gl/DvLmUt (Originally photographed 2014, January) -
Mr. Warren
My senior year of high school I found myself in Pre-AP English simply because I wasn't fond of the regular English teacher. While this man may not remember me or know the impact he had on my personal literacy. Mr. Warren made English come to life through our numerous projects and Socratic seminars. I grew tremendously this year. Upon completion of his class, I loathed reading and writing much less! Mr. Brent Warren [Photograph found in Wimberley]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://goo.gl/d3Zbbh -
Collegiate Years
Graduation 2014 [Photograph]. (2014, December). San Angelo. -
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Collegiate Years
While writing as a college student was not optional, I often found myself struggling to keep up the pace or good grades when it came to collegiate essays. I developed a strong literacy for MLA writing styles and slowly grew to write stronger when I was able to select my topics. English 1302 I had the opportunity to conduct written research over swine farms. This image represents my collegiate journey and the writing styles I developed.
Graduation 2014 [Photograph]. (2014, December). San Angelo. -
Mrs. Seale
Starting a career as an agriculture science teacher marked a point in my literacy. While I held a strong literacy for agriculture science, I was able to relay my wealth of knowledge to students and help develop their literacy in agriculture sciences. The picture represents the starting point of using my literacy to help students develop their own stories!
Teacher ID [Photograph]. (2015, July). Fort Worth. -
Master of Art in Curriculum and Instruction
In the Fall of 2017, I began the pursuit of obtaining my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. This experience has significantly impacted my personal literacy and reading abilities. I have been challenged to develop writings in APA style and read numerous research articles. This has been such a struggle because I am a weak reader and writer but the amount of personal growth I can see from course to course is significant.
Blackboard Screenshot [Photograph]. (2018, June). San Angelo. -
Summer School
This year I have been challenged with teaching reading comprehension to eighth-grade students. This shows me the impact my personal literacy journey has on current students in pursuit of their own literacy expedition. The picture displays the book my students and I are currently reading. Formally in their shoes, I am able to relate to these students and they enjoy coming to class, even in summer school.
Seale, S. (2018, June). LLI Book - Spiderboy [Photograph]. San Angelo. -
References Part 1
Blackboard Screenshot [Photograph]. (2018, June). San Angelo.
Danforth Jr. High [Photograph found in Wimberley]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://goo.gl/DvLmUt (Originally photographed 2014, January)
Father and I reading [Personal photograph taken in Wimberley]. (1993).
Gifts at the Hospital [Personal photograph taken in Austin]. (1995)
Graduation 2014 [Photograph]. (2014, December). San Angelo. -
References Part 2
Mr. Brent Warren [Photograph found in Wimberley]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://goo.gl/d3Zbbh
My Favorite Book [Personal photograph taken in Austin]. (1995).
Seale, S. (2018, June). LLI Book - Spiderboy [Photograph]. San Angelo.
Teacher ID [Photograph]. (2015, July). Fort Worth.
The Boxcar Children Book 1. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.boxcarchildren.com/book/the-boxcar-children/
