This is my "about me" page, so I should be writing to tell you about myself. However, even as an adult and a teacher, I am still learning new things about myself everyday. It is difficult at times to tell others "who we are" when we don't know the full answer. We know the things we do, people who are in our lives, animals that we hold dear to our hearts, places we've been, etc. but none of these things will tell you who I am.
I think that in order for us to find out who we are we have to read and become educated on the world around us, so we may find ourselves in learning about others. Books are windows, doors, and bridges that bring us to so many other places, conclusions, and perceptions about the world. Therefore, through education and literacy we are able to free ourselves from things that make us "what we are" and help us establish "who we are".
But, before we get into the different forms of literature that I love, let's first discuss the upmost basic defining factor of one's identity: name. Most of us didn't get to choose our name, however, some individuals decided that they didn't identity with their name, so they changed it.
My full name is: Ally Renee' Hennington. As a child, I despised the fact that my name was spelled 'All-y' instead of 'All-ie'. I felt that the spelling of 'All-ie' was more 'girly' and connected me closer to the sparkly, glitzy, and energetic child that I was. But, as I grew older, I began to appreciate the spelling of my name. I find it interesting that even in names there is identity in the spelling of names and how others have the same name as you but don't share your identity.
I created this 3-D spelling of my name at the IMC at Appalachian State University. I was thinking of many things that I could use to create my name. However, everything I thought of that I could use just did not seem like "me". I look up and realized that I was in the MECCA of school supplies. Then it hit me... school...education...children...teaching... that is a large part of who I am. I actually didn't want to be a teacher when I was younger. I had the mindset "those who can't do teach". . . man was I absolutely, completely, and utterly wrong. Now, I am an advocate for children, teaching, and educational reform. I will discuss this later in my post about 'Who I Am'.
I created my name with different school supplies using colors that I love: reds, blues, purples, greens, yellows. . . mostly all colors. I used little letters, beads, pom-poms, crayons, chalk, construction papers, and construction paper. Looking back, I think that this is a good beginning to introducing the literature that helps shape my identity.
Here are some examples of how books have taught me Who I Am.
- Magic Tree house Books taught me that I love to read about adventures, other parts of the world, different times in history, and other cultures/religions.
I AM CURIOUS.
- Is Everyone Really Equal? taught me about the hatred that exists in our society and the unfairness that many people face, even in the 21st century. This book taught me to stand up and fight for the people who are unable to be heard because of the color of their skin, sexuality, religion, mobility, and many more. I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT EQUALITY
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