Denise+H.

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


 * **What __really__ makes up your identity?** The people I am surrounded by; family, friends, co-workers, and students, along with my personal and professional life experiences make up my identity.


 * ** What __really__ makes up your sense of place? ** My sense of place is somewhere I can truly maintain my own identity. Some of the places that come to mind are my parents home, my own home in Raleigh, my sisters house, any place where friends and I get together, my hometown, and my workplace/the classroom.


 * ** What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project? ** I think being comfortable with one's own identity and the situations they are put in play a role in how well one might interact and work with others. I think my ability to take others perspectives into account, being an active listener, and willing to take risks, allow me to work well with others in a group.


 * **What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?** I am a very organized person, as well as seeing tasks to the end. If I am given an assignment to carry out, I not only keep items organized and turned in on time, but I also make sure to put forth my best effort to make sure it is completed beyond the assigners expectations. My experience as a Mentor Coordinator and Mentor, also allow me to bring qualities such as being open-minded, unbiased, and a good listener.


 * **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?** When thinking about the educational opportunities offered to elementary students in Wake County, I think one key element missing is the opportunity to study a foreign language. So often, with budget cuts, this educational experience is one of the first things to go. Efforts I would take to try and solve this concern, would be to first create a survey for parents to complete in order to find out the interest level in their child receiving opportunities to learn a foreign language & what foreign languages they would like to see offered, then share the responses with my school's principal to share survey results, as well as research supporting the importance of foreign language in the schools, and also writing letters to both the school board members and local legislatures asking them to consider putting foreign language opportunities into elementary schools curriculum.


 * **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?** I think one must be willing to share their ideas for solving said specific problem, be open-minded and willing to hear others suggestions, and not be afraid to take action.

Phase II: Sense of Place


 * State Capital: Raleigh, NC**


 * Raleigh, NC is known as the "City of Oaks"
 * Raleigh serves as the capital of North Carolina
 * Raleigh is the second largest city in NC
 * Raleigh is in a great area of NC, with only 2 hours to the coast and 4 hours to the mountains
 * Raleigh is gets its name from Sir Walter Raleigh, whom founded the lost Roanoke Colony, which is located in now what is Dare County
 * The current capital building was completed in 1840 and demonstrates an example of Greek Revival architecture

What are your initial thoughts about how your image addresses the questions above? 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?

What can you do to be address the issue?

What is the global impact of your local issue?

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