Post #2: Literacy Experiences

    When I was in secondary school, my literacy experiences were positive. Growing up, my teachers and mother always encouraged me to read. I remember being so excited every time the book fair came to my school. I would take a book fair catalog home, circle all the books I wanted, and show them to my mom. My family lived pretty much paycheck to paycheck, but my mother never denied buying me at least one book. My parents had a very rocky marriage from the start, but it got progressively worse when I entered secondary school. Once my parents got divorced, my father was allowed to see my sister and me every other Saturday. I would always beg him to take us to the Montgomery County Library. We would spend hours there, mainly because it was free and because my dad could sit back and take a really long nap. I loved getting lost in the different bookshelf genres. I was a sucker for books about romance and fantasy. Reflecting back on why I would choose books about romance, I believe that it is because I yearned to see a good example of a relationship, marriage, and love. I also began to read the Bible more during this time, which of course is where we can find the best example of the perfect love. I don't think I fully understood that during this time in my life, but it did start a foundation. 

    My seventh-grade ELAR teacher, Mrs. Pope, impacted me positively the most because she noticed something was wrong when I began to become disinterested in her lessons and class assignments. Instead of lecturing me about finishing my assignments or paying more attention, she took the time after school to sit down with me and talk things out. She was the first adult that I talked to about my parents divorce and how much it was impacting me. She was also the first teacher that talked to me about God. She started an after school girls bible study and invited me to join. 

    I will use these memories and experiences to make my classroom a place where literacy is a good word by striving to be an encouraging teacher like Mrs. Pope and my mom. I will encourage students to self select book based on their interests and books they might connect to on a personal level to keep them engaged and motivated.