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My family of origin consists of my parents and sister. My parents were married, we lived in a stand-alone home with just the four of us, and both of my parents worked. I would consider us the stereotypical, middle class family. This limits my ability to relate to the perspective of others who have lived with extended family, had parents who stayed home full time, siblings sharing rooms, and families in poverty.
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As an infant, I was baptized into the Catholic Church. I also attended private, Catholic school through 8th grade. This limited my exposure to other religions and denominations. When I started in public high school, I realized how "sheltered" I had been in private school when I met students who were totally different than me- different races, beliefs, influences, sexual orientations, etc. that I had never been around. I didn't always know how to relate, react, or respond appropriately.
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I have only lived in Texas. We made one major move in my life- from Southeast Texas to Central Texas. This makes it hard for me to relate to people who moved a lot and lived in drastically different places.
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I met my best friend, Megan, the summer before high school. We are still best friends to this day. Her family has the same basic values as mine, but through being "adopted" into their family, I have been exposed to new things. Her parents are in a bi-racial marriage, extended family has lived together in the same house at times, her mom and aunts took care of their dad until he passed away, and I have never seen an extended, whole family rally together in a time of need quite like they do.
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I have four male cousins. Throughout our lives we have never all lived in the same city. While I adore them and look up to them, we have not been consistently active in each others lives. We did not get together on holidays or other random times during the year. We do not see each other often enough to be a solid support system for each other. I don't know what it's like to have extended family close by.
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I received my undergraduate degree from Texas A&M. My dad was an Aggie as well. I love the Aggie spirit- we stand at the ready to help our fellow Aggie. This was a "safe" place for me to go to college. Almost everyone agreed with my core values, and I was close enough to drive home when I wanted to. I cannot imagine or relate to what it would be like to go to college out of state with no support system close by.
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My dad passed away from brain cancer when I was 20. I found comfort in becoming involved with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Not only do I have a passion for cancer research, but I have also found this unique situation as a way to relate with students (and friends) who have lost a parent.
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I have been a teacher for 13 years. All of those years, including student teaching, have been in Belton ISD. I have technically worked for two campuses, only because the first one closed down and they moved us into a new building. While this has been a great way to grow roots and build relationships, I have a very limited view of ad experience with campus and district administration.
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My mom remarried to a man who lost his wife 9 days after my dad passed away. He comes from a very large extended family that immediately accepted us as their own. We have had some trials learning how to function as a blended adult family, but overall it has been great. We have also had to find ways to blend our family traditions together. I am now able to relate better to students with step-parents and step-siblings.
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I am currently 36, single, and I have no children of my own. My friends and family are lucky enough to include me as "Aunt Manda" within their families. Even though I am included, I do not have the experience of being a wife and/or mom, and that limits some of the opportunities to bond with people who are married with kids. I can provide support and advice, but from a different point of view.
