ppwooda3

Phase 1: I find my identity in Jesus Christ. He created every person in this world. I have accepted what he did 2,000 years ago by dying on the cross to forgive me of my sins. Thus, as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ I find my identity in Him, what the Bible says about those who believe, and in the plans and purpose He has for my life.
 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?

My sense of place is comprised by those places and people God has placed in my life. Some places, such as my family and my home never change. Some places are essentially the same, basketball courts, but vary based on what city you are in and whose name is written on the court. So a sense of place for me can be my home court, Reynolds Coliseum, but also any basketball court in the world because certain characteristics will be the same in all of those places.
 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

Both my identity and my sense of place play a large role in how I interact with groups. They determine where my focus is, how I was raised, and some of my beliefs. Ultimately my identity is to be a light for Christ which affects how I interact with other people. My sense of place comprises my interests and the different settings I am in from home, work, athletics, friends, school and projects. Thus my identity and sense of place will be brought to this new group in my life.
 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

As a graduate student who has done many different activities throughout my college years and work experience I feel I can bring a wealth of experience to the GlIP conversation. Such activities and experiences include being a manager for the women's basketball team, teaching Sunday School, running track and field, working as a coach, leading a middle school program at the YMCA, and growing up in the country where I was raised to mow grass and work hard.
 * 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?

As a resident in Raleigh, North Carolina one local problem we are experiencing is over-crowding in the public schools. Schools such as Panther Creek are attempting to solve the problem by busing 9th grade students nearly 20 miles away. However, I would suggest that they could alter the students schedules to ease the overcrowding. For instance have ninth and tenth graders go to school from 7 until 2 and have Juniors and Seniors go to school from 10 until 5. A shift in schedules like this one would accommodate more students in a given school day.
 * 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?

Phase II:
 * Most problems can be solved with creative ingenuity that maximizes resources. Be they problems with the government, funding in a corporation, or transportation of students if actions are taken and resources are used efficiently and effectively many problems can be solved.

Reynolds Coliseum: Reynolds Coliseum is home to the women's basketball team at North Carolina State University. It is a historic building on the universities campus, named after legendary Coach Kay Yow and the competition floor for current N.C.State gymnastics, volleyball players, wrestlers, and women's basketball players. It was built in 1949 as one of the first and largest coliseum's on the East coast. It was begun during World War II and finished several years after the wars end.



This is an image from Raleigh's South Sanders Street. Downtown Raleigh is a few miles from my university and this road provides one of the cities best views.

This is an image of Bethlehem Baptist Church, my home church. It is where I heard about Jesus Christ, accepted Him as my Savior and Lord and attended church throughout my childhood.

Phase III: Identify Local Issue: What is your local issue? As a resident in a very populous and growing Wake County, we have a problem with overcrowded schools. Some schools are so large their facilities lack space for parking or recreational areas, others ship their ninth graders to a new location, while still others jam students into classrooms or put modulars on school grounds. This problem will continue to increase as long as the county holds a hiring freeze on teachers and the population continues to expand at the current rate. On January 19, 2012 this hiring freeze was implemented and will remain until the school system has more information about their fiscal allotment for the coming school year.

What can you do to be address the issue? As a student in the MAT program I can continue preparing to teach so that when the time comes I can step in on school boards and Wake County meetings to influence their decision making to provide more classrooms, space, and teachers for local schools. I can also continue promoting private education to offset the pressure on the public school system.

What is the global impact of your local issue? Globally the ramifications for this issue will either be minimal or enormous. They will be minimal if this does not hinder education or the progress of American students in relation to their foreign peers. However, if such overcrowding continues education will deteriorate. This would mean students in America may fall behind the foreign students or other students who are more prepared to handle their student population.