1. Describe a positive scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?
The scene I remember the most is actually a scene that I appreciate more today as an adult. It's actually many scenes. When I was younger, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were the best days in my life. I did not appreciate them then, but I do now. Now that it is not the same.
Every Christmas Eve we would meet at my Mammaw's and Pappaw's house. Everyone - my aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, mom and dad. We would eat dinner and then get ready for Christmas Eve service at church. Normally I was singing in the choir at the time, so it would feel great to get to sing for my whole family. Then we would return and we would get to open up our Christmas pajamas! We would of course pose for like a million pictures with our new PJs, and then we would eat nuts, veggies, crackers, and chocolate while playing games all night. Then, when it was time, we would all go home and get ready for Santa in the morning.
The next day my sister and I would wake up. I would normally wake up extra early. We would all meet in the living room - mom, dad, my sister, and myself, and we would listen to Christmas music while we opened up our stocking and presents. We would have a huge breakfast and end it with cinnamon rolls. =) Of course, my sister and I would fight over who got the middle one. Mom finally started making two so that we would have two middle ones. =)
After we would play with our gifts, we would all get ready to head over to Mammaw and Pappaw's house. Then we would all return for Christmas dinner and presents with each other. We would go youngest to oldest for the order in which we opened presents. I was the second to youngest; therefore, I always liked this rule! We would play games and just enjoy the holiday. I never realized how much I would miss those days. Now that we are all older, some of the 'kids' from back then have their own kids, some of the family members have to split the holiday's with their spouses' family, and not everyone is there to enjoy the time with. It is still a great holiday - but there are times that I wish I could just go back and appreciate what I never really appreciated before.
After we would play with our gifts, we would all get ready to head over to Mammaw and Pappaw's house. Then we would all return for Christmas dinner and presents with each other. We would go youngest to oldest for the order in which we opened presents. I was the second to youngest; therefore, I always liked this rule! We would play games and just enjoy the holiday. I never realized how much I would miss those days. Now that we are all older, some of the 'kids' from back then have their own kids, some of the family members have to split the holiday's with their spouses' family, and not everyone is there to enjoy the time with. It is still a great holiday - but there are times that I wish I could just go back and appreciate what I never really appreciated before.
2. Describe a negative scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?
I will not lie, this particular scene from my life has left my memories. Some days I will think about it and think - why was that such a hard time? This is because most of those horrible memories have left my head. For obvious reasons. Then there are times that I feel those feelings again, I remember why I had a hard time this part of my life and I think - wow, I have moved on just fine in life. Things just made me stronger. I will try to explain; however, I cannot promise that it will be in great detail.
When I was in the sixth grade, there were only 13 girls in my entire class. 13 girls. That really is not a lot. All through grade school there were the catty, mean girls. It got so bad, that the counselor had to come and give us 'talks' about bullying. It never worked, the 'mean girls' would just laugh and giggle. It was a little insane; however, nothing will beat my sixth grade year.
I was still in elementary school for sixth grade. There was a " Queen Bee" that ran everything. This Queen Bee was in charge, meaning everyone did as she said. If they didn't, life was going to be rough. If the Queen Bee did not like someone, the rest of us did not like that person. That is just how it was. I hated that I was a follower, but it was better to follow than to have no one like you.
One day, I was the person that she did not like. Along with one other girl. This was the worst time of my life. These girls did some messed up things to me and to anyone else they were mad at. I was a victim of harsh, horrible bullying. This all took place inside of school. I could not imagine what it would be like if it were on the internet. If I could, I would sit here and type up all the bad things that these girls did to me. Calling me names, making fun of what I wore, doing horrible things to my clothes, making fun of my hair, saying nasty things that really hurt. But I do not want to relive any of that. It made me a stronger person today.
I had a diary in the sixth grade. It was a purple fuzzy one with a monkey on the front. I wrote in it every day about the horrible things that these girls did to me. However, three years later there was a flood. My house was flooded, and I lost that notebook. At times it upsets me, because I would love to see how my life has changed. But on second thought, I love that it is gone. I no longer have the memories written down; therefore, I do not have to relive those moments.
I was still in elementary school for sixth grade. There was a " Queen Bee" that ran everything. This Queen Bee was in charge, meaning everyone did as she said. If they didn't, life was going to be rough. If the Queen Bee did not like someone, the rest of us did not like that person. That is just how it was. I hated that I was a follower, but it was better to follow than to have no one like you.
One day, I was the person that she did not like. Along with one other girl. This was the worst time of my life. These girls did some messed up things to me and to anyone else they were mad at. I was a victim of harsh, horrible bullying. This all took place inside of school. I could not imagine what it would be like if it were on the internet. If I could, I would sit here and type up all the bad things that these girls did to me. Calling me names, making fun of what I wore, doing horrible things to my clothes, making fun of my hair, saying nasty things that really hurt. But I do not want to relive any of that. It made me a stronger person today.
I had a diary in the sixth grade. It was a purple fuzzy one with a monkey on the front. I wrote in it every day about the horrible things that these girls did to me. However, three years later there was a flood. My house was flooded, and I lost that notebook. At times it upsets me, because I would love to see how my life has changed. But on second thought, I love that it is gone. I no longer have the memories written down; therefore, I do not have to relive those moments.
This helped me make friends in junior high school because I knew I did not want anything to do with those other girls. The moments in sixth grade still upset me; however, they made me much stronger today.
3. Describe a particular event from your teen-aged years that stands out in your memory
today. This can be positive or negative. What led up to the event? What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did the event have on you.
There are so many events that stick out in my mind. The teen age years were a hard couple to handle. Some of them were very, very personal that I do not feel that I can talk about. One that I feel I can discuss is an event that happened when was 17 years old.
One weekend, a friend of ours came back from visiting his mother in Tennessee. We were bowling on a Friday night and he and his friends came to say hi. We were all so happy to see him back. We didn't have school on Monday, so we planned a homecoming party for him on
Sunday night. He would spend Saturday night with his boys then Sunday night with everyone. Now, this boy and I were not the best of friends. I barely knew him. However, he was great friends with my great friends, so we were acquaintances.
Sunday morning after church I received a phone call. My parents and I were on our way to the mall to go shopping. I answered the phone and my dad instantly turned around when he heard my voice. It was my friend Jami. She was crying. She told me that our friend did not wake up that morning. There was alcohol involved with their party and he didn't wake up. We didn't know if it was from his intake or if he choked on his vomit. I did not believe it - she had to tell me over and over. My friends and I spent the entire two days together in the dark just hurt.
The next week was horrible. I was not that close to him I was closer to his friends. But I still went to the funeral home every night with my friends. It was the first funeral and burial I had ever been to. We were all so strong together, but when the slightest things happened, it broke us all down. I will never forget that week - it was very hard to handle. However, I could never imagine if it had been one of my close friends. I hated seeing my friends like that.
today. This can be positive or negative. What led up to the event? What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did the event have on you.
There are so many events that stick out in my mind. The teen age years were a hard couple to handle. Some of them were very, very personal that I do not feel that I can talk about. One that I feel I can discuss is an event that happened when was 17 years old.
One weekend, a friend of ours came back from visiting his mother in Tennessee. We were bowling on a Friday night and he and his friends came to say hi. We were all so happy to see him back. We didn't have school on Monday, so we planned a homecoming party for him on
Sunday night. He would spend Saturday night with his boys then Sunday night with everyone. Now, this boy and I were not the best of friends. I barely knew him. However, he was great friends with my great friends, so we were acquaintances.
Sunday morning after church I received a phone call. My parents and I were on our way to the mall to go shopping. I answered the phone and my dad instantly turned around when he heard my voice. It was my friend Jami. She was crying. She told me that our friend did not wake up that morning. There was alcohol involved with their party and he didn't wake up. We didn't know if it was from his intake or if he choked on his vomit. I did not believe it - she had to tell me over and over. My friends and I spent the entire two days together in the dark just hurt.
The next week was horrible. I was not that close to him I was closer to his friends. But I still went to the funeral home every night with my friends. It was the first funeral and burial I had ever been to. We were all so strong together, but when the slightest things happened, it broke us all down. I will never forget that week - it was very hard to handle. However, I could never imagine if it had been one of my close friends. I hated seeing my friends like that.
4. Describe a vivid or important memory from any time in your adult years. Again, this can be positive or negative. It can be about anything – family, work, whatever. The scene stands
out in your mind today as being especially vivid or important. Please describe what led up to the event. Then describe the scene in detail. What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact has the event had on you?
Even though I mentioned above about a death, I barely knew the boy. I knew him enough to talk to him. However, once again in my adult years, I have had many many heart breaking and personal experiences that I do not want to talk about. The one event I will talk about, I call it my first death.
I was only 19 years old, in college when I found out my Pappaw had leukemia. It was in November. The doctors gave him 2 months. However, he lasted 14. That's my Pappaw, though. He
didn't go by what other people say, he did his own thing.
It was December 13th, 2010. My second to last exam for that semester. I finished and looked at my phone. My dad had called. I called him back to tell him that I aced that exam. He said he was proud but he had some news. Pappaw didn't make it...
I knew it was coming just not yet. I wasn't ready. But then again, would I have ever been ready? I had to sit down on a bench and collect myself before driving back to my house off of campus. I was greeted by all my roommates and the boy I liked. They were all waiting just to be there for me. It was so great to know I had friends like that.
I packed my things and headed for home. It was bittersweet to see all my family. It was like I wanted to see them, just not like that. The viewing and the funeral were the hardest things I had to ever deal with. However, I did with my family by my side. I still miss him so much.
But I know he is looking down on me so proud.
out in your mind today as being especially vivid or important. Please describe what led up to the event. Then describe the scene in detail. What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact has the event had on you?
Even though I mentioned above about a death, I barely knew the boy. I knew him enough to talk to him. However, once again in my adult years, I have had many many heart breaking and personal experiences that I do not want to talk about. The one event I will talk about, I call it my first death.
I was only 19 years old, in college when I found out my Pappaw had leukemia. It was in November. The doctors gave him 2 months. However, he lasted 14. That's my Pappaw, though. He
didn't go by what other people say, he did his own thing.
It was December 13th, 2010. My second to last exam for that semester. I finished and looked at my phone. My dad had called. I called him back to tell him that I aced that exam. He said he was proud but he had some news. Pappaw didn't make it...
I knew it was coming just not yet. I wasn't ready. But then again, would I have ever been ready? I had to sit down on a bench and collect myself before driving back to my house off of campus. I was greeted by all my roommates and the boy I liked. They were all waiting just to be there for me. It was so great to know I had friends like that.
I packed my things and headed for home. It was bittersweet to see all my family. It was like I wanted to see them, just not like that. The viewing and the funeral were the hardest things I had to ever deal with. However, I did with my family by my side. I still miss him so much.
But I know he is looking down on me so proud.
5. In looking back on your life, you may be able to identify particular “turning points” – episodes through which you experienced an important change in your life. Please choose one key turning point scene and describe it in detail. If you feel your life story contains no clear turning points, then describe a particular episode in your life that comes closer than any other to qualifying for a turning point – a scene where you changed in some way. Again, please describe what led up to the event, what happened in the event, where and when it happened, who was involved, what you were thinking and feeling, and so on. Also, please tell me how you think you changed as a result of this event and why you consider this event to be an important scene in your life story today.
The most life changing event was actually the most recent event in my life. However, it was a few months of getting where I am that need to be brought up.
I graduated college with my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - specialized in math grades 5-9 in December of this year. I then began to substitute teach in Marion Co. So many events happened to me in the months after graduation, it was unreal.
I was invited by an amazing professor to attend and speak at a National Teachers Conference in New Orleans, LA. It was an amazing experience; one that I will never forget. Also, later that month, I attended a State Conference where I saw Dr. Lindstrom :) present and talk about this Masters Program. Therefore, I decided to give it a try. Here I am!
I thought that I was on top of the world with all of this happening. However, I was not. I was not on top of the world until my home county - Marshall county - was putting up new bids for the school year 2013-2014. I knew that I had to give it a try. I was actually on my lunch break at a school in which I was subbing when my mother called to tell me about the bids. When I saw that there was an opening for a middle school math teacher at my old middle school - I was so excited to put that as my first bid. I actually placed my bids the day I was leaving for New Orleans as I was walking in the Atlanta, GA airport.
After the National Teacher Conference, I received that call that I was selected for the interview for the job! I was so excited! Yet, very nervous. I met so many great people at the state conference that talked me up for getting the interview, gave me advice on how to prepare, gave me advice for while I was in the interview, and wished me so much luck. I am so thankful for that conference because of the people that were behind me.
Once I walked into the office for the interview, I immediately got cold feet. Am I going to be good enough? Am I going to be better than the people that already interviewed? Do I have enough experience for them? Do I have what they are looking for? It was a hard five minutes in that office - but they called my name in and I did the BEST that I could do. I knew that if I was not chosen, that I did the best that I could.
Two days later, I received a phone call. "Emily, this is Mrs. Porter the principal from Sherrard Middle School. How are you?" I was so nervous. Why is she calling? Is she telling me to start looking for more jobs? Is she telling me that I was not good enough? Is she letting me know that I did not get the job? Will she at least let me know what I did wrong? "I was just calling to let you know that you can stop looking for jobs, and maybe cancel any interviews you may have. We have selected you as the candidate for our Sixth Grade/Mathematics teacher here at Sherrard Middle School. "
Holy Moly! I did it!! I am now in my tenth week of my first job as a teacher in my own classroom. I could not have done it without the experience that I was given, the teachers and professors along the way, and the support of family and friends. This is by far the most life changing event in all of my life.
The most life changing event was actually the most recent event in my life. However, it was a few months of getting where I am that need to be brought up.
I graduated college with my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - specialized in math grades 5-9 in December of this year. I then began to substitute teach in Marion Co. So many events happened to me in the months after graduation, it was unreal.
I was invited by an amazing professor to attend and speak at a National Teachers Conference in New Orleans, LA. It was an amazing experience; one that I will never forget. Also, later that month, I attended a State Conference where I saw Dr. Lindstrom :) present and talk about this Masters Program. Therefore, I decided to give it a try. Here I am!
I thought that I was on top of the world with all of this happening. However, I was not. I was not on top of the world until my home county - Marshall county - was putting up new bids for the school year 2013-2014. I knew that I had to give it a try. I was actually on my lunch break at a school in which I was subbing when my mother called to tell me about the bids. When I saw that there was an opening for a middle school math teacher at my old middle school - I was so excited to put that as my first bid. I actually placed my bids the day I was leaving for New Orleans as I was walking in the Atlanta, GA airport.
After the National Teacher Conference, I received that call that I was selected for the interview for the job! I was so excited! Yet, very nervous. I met so many great people at the state conference that talked me up for getting the interview, gave me advice on how to prepare, gave me advice for while I was in the interview, and wished me so much luck. I am so thankful for that conference because of the people that were behind me.
Once I walked into the office for the interview, I immediately got cold feet. Am I going to be good enough? Am I going to be better than the people that already interviewed? Do I have enough experience for them? Do I have what they are looking for? It was a hard five minutes in that office - but they called my name in and I did the BEST that I could do. I knew that if I was not chosen, that I did the best that I could.
Two days later, I received a phone call. "Emily, this is Mrs. Porter the principal from Sherrard Middle School. How are you?" I was so nervous. Why is she calling? Is she telling me to start looking for more jobs? Is she telling me that I was not good enough? Is she letting me know that I did not get the job? Will she at least let me know what I did wrong? "I was just calling to let you know that you can stop looking for jobs, and maybe cancel any interviews you may have. We have selected you as the candidate for our Sixth Grade/Mathematics teacher here at Sherrard Middle School. "
Holy Moly! I did it!! I am now in my tenth week of my first job as a teacher in my own classroom. I could not have done it without the experience that I was given, the teachers and professors along the way, and the support of family and friends. This is by far the most life changing event in all of my life.
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