Literacy Autoboigraphy

How Did I Get Here?


Reading has always been a part of my life. My earliest memory of reading is watching my father read my brother and I books via video camera because he was deployed on a US Navy ship. As I grew up, I found great joy in reading because a book would take me to new worlds. One of my favorite genres when I was growing up was mystery. I loved the Boxcar Children Mystery Books. I moved around a lot as a kid, so books were always something stable in my life. My dad is a military chaplain (a preacher) so I read a lot of Christian authors.

One of the earliest books I remember, The Beginners Bible!

As I went to high school, my favorite class was English. I enjoyed writing, reading, and learning everything about the literature we were discussing in class.

I never thought about being an English teacher until 11th grade. I loved my 11th grade English teacher, Mrs. Gillette, and I wanted to inspire teenagers the way she inspired and encouraged me. She helped me become a reader who not only processes the words but understands and engages with the story and she helped me become a stronger writer. I wanted to do the same for teenagers my age. I applied for a teaching scholarship and came to UNCG, and the rest is history!

Just so you know...other careers I explored were: Nurse, Paramedic, Web Designer, and Forensic Biologist!

*** FYI for YOU***
This is an example of a Literacy Autobiography.
Read the literary autobiography of the famous author George Orwell:
"Why I Write" by George Orwell

My Area of Interest

As a teacher, I really believe in the power of writing and reading coming together in our class. I am interested in teaching my students about the usefulness of writing. I think that writing will be an important part of your life during and after high school.

I also focus a lot on reading. I will have SSR, or Sustained Silent Reading, in my classes. This means students will have access to books. They will have a few days a week of uninterrupted reading time in our English Class. This is a time for students to find a book they enjoy reading and not have to worry about any other assignments.

Here is a website that contains tips to help you with writing assignments!

What I Believe as a High School Teacher

This I Believe:

I believe that every student can find something that he/she likes to read.
I believe in the smooth integration of reading, writing, and literature in the classroom curriculum and in life.
I believe that students can become confident writers with a clear voice.
I believe that self reflection is important. Tools of self reflection include: Daybooks, peer feedback, and personal interactions with writings.
I believe that I will learn as much from my students and they will learn from me.
I believe that a classroom where students feel safe will generate more writing and creative thinking. Teachers have to create a classroom community.
I believe that grammar is important in a professional setting, but it is not the first concern when grading a writing assignment.
I believe that outside resources such as life experiences, books, internet, and personal interactions with others bring depth to writing and these resources should be a familiar supplement to a student's writings.
I believe that students should be able to easily conference with their teacher.
I believe that modeling assignments and reading strategies for students is universally beneficial.
I believe that an understanding of literature, writing, and effective reading strategies are integral for a life of continuous opportunity.
I believe that all students have valuable and diverse personal experiences to contribute to the enrichment of class discussions and writings.
I believe that a teacher must be very prepared for all aspects of classroom life.
I believe that teaching, and a classroom, must be infused with positive attitude.
I believe you have to believe in and be interested in what you are teaching in order for the students to be interested.

Where Am I From?

Where Am I From?

a poem by Amanda Bregel

I am from moving trucks, hugs, and military salutes.

I am from the home filled with a teacher, a Naval preacher, and younger siblings who are pulled down the street by our large, yellow dog.

I am from the North Carolina crystal coast, the marshes of Florida, the cherry blossoms of Japan, the dull glitter of southern California, the dry air of Texas, and the crisp snow of Indiana, but always the well-manicured suburb, and the prideful military base.

I am from family dinners, where we would remember my father who was away serving his country. His spot at the table was desolate, but at that table my mother’s brown eyes would still sparkle while my brother and sister shared humorous anecdotes from their day. My father was still present within us all.

I am from bedside prayers and warm chocolate chip cookies.

From “Jesus Loves You” everyday and “Be nice to yourself” after tripping down the stairs.

I am from “Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow” singing in the church choir. From Sunday afternoon potlucks with the entire congregation. From military churches where people know that God and Country come first, and your family must come second.

I am from all over the world, but know Southern biscuits with gravy and Northern un-sweet tea.

From a mother raised by church-building Baptists from the North with too many mouths to feed, but a passion for the gospel that kept their hearts full at the end of the day. From a father raised by calloused Texans, and I am from a trio of kids who relied on each other with each moving van, new school, and new life to begin.

I am from halls filled with family photos, from a bright yellow kitchen stocked with homemade goodies, from a Craft and a Bregel, from corny jokes, from God, and from the heart.

I am from a past that propels me forward. I am from moving trucks, hugs, and military salutes. I am from love.

Write Your OWN "Where I'm From" Poem!

Beautiful Day by U2

One of my Favorite Inspirational Songs

Beautiful Day
U2

The heart is a bloom
Shoots up through the stony ground
There's no room
No space to rent in this town

You're out of luck
And the reason that you had to care
The traffic is stuck
And you're not moving anywhere

You thought you'd found a friend
To take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand
In return for grace

It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away

You're on the road
But you've got no destination
You're in the mud
In the maze of her imagination

You love this town
Even if that doesn't ring true
You've been all over
And it's been all over you

It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day

Touch me
Take me to that other place
Teach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case

See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colors came out

It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day

Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case

What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
What you don't have you don't need it now
Don't need it now
Was a beautiful day