Teia+R.

Phase I: Who Am I? What's My Place?


 * What __really__ makes up your identity?

As a professional development assingment I was charged with making a personal mission statement. The assignment proved to be very difficult and so is this question. I am a lover of things and people, I enjoy finding beauty (be it physical, mental, emotional, etc.) in things and developing an appreciation for their purpose. I am a being of trial and error; take a chance and if you mess up at least you tried. I embrace and sometimes create a sense of urgency. I am, what I like to call an introverted extrovert. It takes a while to get me to open up, but once the jack is out of the box it's on! Boundaries exist and are in place all around us but I like to push the limits. I do not like to be placed in any stereotypical boxes and pride myself in at least attempting to be well-rounded and cultured.

I am most comfortable where I am loved, involved, and/or free to be myself. Home can be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. I feel at home with my family, with friends, co-workers, and by myself.
 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?


 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

Identity and place play an important role when working with others. It takes me some amount of time to build a certain level of comfort and that can initially prove difficult in the group setting. When the group has learned how to work together best and ideas are free flowing and constructive I feel the most comfortable.


 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

I have the ability to look at things from multiple perspectives.

I think the gang situation here in Raleigh has become a large problem. A few of the teachers at my school have gotten together and attempted to start a mentoring program at our school to see if developing strong relationships with role-models could have some impact on the problem. I also think after school programs are a key to solving a decreasing the gang problem in Raleigh.
 * What is one local problem (where you live) that you believe needs to be addressed? Suggest some steps could you take to try to solve it?


 * Finally, some problems have been around for a long time. What qualities do you think a person must have to step up and try to solve them?

Faith. People have to be willing to take the first step even if they can't see the rest of the staircase.

Phase II: Sense of Place

Upload image (s) here:



Use these questions to help you determine which picture shows someone else why your “place” is so special to you.
 * Does a scenic picture represent the beauty you believe that your town has? The image of my family in our front yard respresents the beauty I believe my town has. I am from a very rural area and what you see in the background is much of what my town is, trees and open field. Often when I go home I look forward to the rain, I look forward to hearing the rain and only the rain; no cars on the streets (nearest one is a half a mile from the house), and frogs croaking. It's not big thing to see a family of deer or fox or even a bear on our path (the road we live on).
 * Does a picture of a group of people represent and show a warmth and friendliness that your town has? The pictures of my family and friends show the warmth and friendliness my town has. In the picture of us at school, I am the only person who actually did not attend the school. At my high school seniors were given the last week of school off. I was able to go to school with my cousins, attend class, eat lunch, and ride the bus. The schools welcome visitors from other areas and encouraged students to be involved in each others schools. The drawing of mainstreet also exemplifies the warmth and friendliness of the town. The stores on mainstreet are all mom and pops stores; truly and place where everyone knows your name :)
 * Does a statue or building convey the feeling of history that makes your place important and unique? One the oldest buildings in town is the courthouse. Jackson houses the legal system for the entire county; were are proud to have the courthouse in our town.
 * Is there a cultural event that represents the values of your home location? Every year the town has a Christmas parade and a Jackson Day parade. We are a town of close knit families, friends, churches, and schools. The parade showcases these communities by having the school bands perform and community leaders on floats. Local vendors set up and supply food and any and everyone with a talent showcases it along mainstreet.

What are your initial thoughts about how your image addresses the questions above? I had a hard time finding images of my town on-line. When I typed in Jackson, NC the results were from Jacksonville. I immeidately started to think about my ability to anser the questions with images. Two of my images are with family. Because I have moved around a lot family has been the only constant and what I truly consider my home.Later, you will be working with the members of your group to create a travel package that includes visits to each group member's home location (see Phase II)

Phase III: Identify Local Issue:

What is your local issue? My local issue is gangs. I have seen a sharp increase of their presence in my short time as a teacher.

What can you do to be address the issue? To address the issue a few of the teachers in my school have started a small mentor program in an effort to give students who are involved or in danger of becoming involved a positive resource and relationship. I can also encourage positive alternatives to the gang life-style, be a positive role-model and influence, and create an inclusive and tolerant classroom environment.

What is the global impact of your local issue? Gangs are something found everywhere. As America is a melting pot, the gangs of here and there will ultimately find themselves here. Increased violence and illegal behaivor will effect tourism, business, and the image of the United States. Gang activity has already impacted laws.

Add these thoughts to your Group's Discussion Forum on Local Issues