Polly+M.

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




 * What __really__ makes up your identity?

I think what makes up an identity is who I am when no one is looking. What good I do for others while no one is watching. The difference I choose to make just because. I think it is these pick-and-choose actions that mold my true personal character.

Another facet of my identity would be the decisions I've made thus far. These decisions have shaped my life, and furthermore my experiences which have taught me many lessons.

Finally, my identity is the person I'm continuing to seek to be and become. I believe in the power of reflection and am constantly reflecting upon my decisions, my life, my goals... essentially my every being. The revelations that arise from my reflections are the next steps to the continuous ladder of discovery I'm constantly climbing!


 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?

Foremost, my sense of place originates where I'm from. I believe in the power and strength of one's roots. My sense of place was first established in my hometown (Beulaville, NC), and it is here that I spent 18 years of my life with my friends, family, and community. No matter how hard some may try, it is hard to shake the ties to yesterday. I love where I grew up. Currently, I'm not ready to move back there just yet. It is very rural, and I've grown quite accustomed to urban life. However, later in life I plan to return to my roots and plant roots of my own. //(Watch/listen to this video to get a true sense of where I'm from, and the feeling it gives me. Carolina, Eric Church.)//

My other sense of place has been created by Raleigh, N.C. I've spent the past 6 years of my life here. NCSU and the university/collegiate atmosphere has really given me a thrill for meeting new people, experiencing new things, stretching my mind to its limits, and basically GETTING OUT THERE AND DOING SOMETHING! I was an already outgoing person, but still timid to take the "big/real" risks in life. State and my educational experience/journey has provided me with the GUTS I needed to GET OUT THERE and find my personal sense of place beyond my comfort zone of Beulaville.

However, I realize a sense of place is much more than an actual location. It is a sense of being. My sense of being is a young adult female who is trying to find the right place for me in my life and current community, my home community, and my future community. I know I want to work with children because I thoroughly enjoy learning and teaching. However, I'm not sure if I will teach initially in a traditional school setting, or if I will teach in a totally different setting/environment. There are other things I want to do besides teacher. In general, I want to make a difference and establish my legacy. Whatever that may be. I'm still working on it.


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

I believe I bring both my identity and my sense of place, and everything that both might entail, with me when collaborating with others. I think collaboration allows transactions of experiences and knowledge among multiple individuals with very different identities and sense of being. It reminds me of transactional theory.


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

I think I'm a very outgoing person. I know I will have no problem getting acquainted with the group and establishing meaningful professional relationships.

I'm always ready to learn something new. I love to learn, that is one of the many reasons why I became a teacher. I believe in the value of learning things from human beings. There is no better knowledge that can be gained than via human interaction, communication, and experience. (I especially cannot wait to learn from my students!)

I believe in the value of collaboration. I'm excited to work with teachers and students nationally and internationally. This is my first experience doing so, and I'm eager to get started! I think my collaboration efforts can still be tied back to learning something new. After all, it is during collaboration when we learn new things from others that we would have never known or discovered on our own.


 * 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?

Problem: Even though there is a state lottery (NC Education Lottery) and funding from the government, there is still not enough funding and resources to meet all of the educational needs of American education. We lack books, technology, and other vital resources such as teachers and specialists. We lack funding for professional development for educators, or special extra-curricular activities. It is really sad, because students need all of these factors to be successful and receive a proper education.

Possible Solutions: Raise awareness of the issue; raise money to donate to local institutions -- in other words, donate directly to the problem.


 * 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?

Originality -- and I do not mean in appearance. They must think in original ways and do things in an original manner. It takes true "thinking outside of the box." And not just one genius idea. It is a continuous process of "thinking outside the box." Also, the leader (or solution solver) must influence others to think and act in new, creative ways as well. It takes continuous creative and original thinking to solve problems. The reason so many problems remain can be attributed to many things: laziness, ignorance, lack of leadership qualities, and lack of original mentality.

Phase II: Sense of Place

**Does a scenic picture represent the beauty you believe that your town has?** __Yes, I'm from a small rural town; and this scenery depicts the peace and natural beauty my town has to offer.__

**Does a picture of a group of people represent and show a warmth and friendliness that your town has?** __Yes, both of the above pictures display the warmth and friendliness my town has to offer. All people pictured are originally from the area. My bf and I met in high school, but didn't start dating until college. My parents met in high school as well. They are 5 years apart, and married 1 year after my mother graduated from high school. These anecdotes of my personal/family history truly encompass the classic, old-school, traditional atmosphere of my hometown.__

**Is there a cultural event that represents the values of your home location?** __My current home location being Raleigh, NC, definitely has its sense of culture. In fact, Raleigh is full of diversity and possesses many cultural attributes. I would argue it is one of the most diverse places to live in NC. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time spend here. Noticeably, in the picture above, I'm representing the collegiate culture that Raleigh offers many college students, alumni, and fans. This is just one picture of State's winning lead in one of the many infamous rivalry games we have versus UNC. In fact, all 6 years I have attended NCSU, we have been able to celebrate a football victory (home and away)!__

These 4 images represent who I am. My home, my family, my boyfriend, and my school. All have equally shaped the person that I am today. I am grateful for every lesson learned.
Phase III: Identify Local Issue:

What is your local issue?

Raising literacy awareness, and helping to close the literacy achievement gap.

What can you do to be address the issue?

Raise awareness by giving speeches at local schools, boards of education, and other community venues that will draw appropriate attention. Another way to raise awareness, is by making a website, flyers, or any other form of visual outreach that will inspire others to help the cause! Help raise money for low-income schools, to help meet literacy needs by supplying appropriate literacy materials and support. Encourage others to volunteer, and/or become specialized in the reading field to help meet the literacy demands of our educational system.

What is the global impact of your local issue?

Globally, low literacy rates can have lasting detrimental impacts on our society. Those who are not fully literate, are not functioning at the appropriate literacy level needed to compliment a healthy, progressive life. In addition, these people do not have a fair chance at survival. Because after all, being literate is more than reading. It is functioning in every day life. Literacy is ordering from the menu at McDonald's, filling out medical/tax forms, or shopping at the grocery store. **//Literacy is a lifestyle//** -- one that everyone is entititled to. Thus, it is vitally important, everyone (globally) and beyond Raleigh/NC, should make conscious and continuous efforts to improve their literacy abilities so that we can all live a productive, successful, and meaningful lives.

This website, is just one peek at the adult illiteracy rates by county in NC. Raleigh is Wake County, if you are interested in checking out the number. It can be assumed that the child illiteracy rate will be slightly higher because if the parents' rates are already high, the children's rates will be higher due to the cycle of illiteracy within the household.

Other efforts Raleigh/Wake County that are already attempting to bridge the literacy gap include but are not limited to:
 * Wake County Literacy Council
 * NCLA