The document describes various influences in the author's life through images he has selected. It discusses how growing up in Texas he was influenced by cotton fields that his ancestors and parents worked in, motivating his father and himself to pursue higher education. It also describes how working with students with disabilities shaped his views on people with disabilities. Other influences discussed include Spanish language from growing up in San Antonio, separation from extended family members, religion shifting his views away from his parents', rock music inspiring his creativity, the legal system through his parents' careers, living in South Korea expanding his cultural understanding, Mexican cuisine from living in Texas, and frugality from experiencing poverty.

1. Cultural Roots
By Jacob Moore

2. Cotton Fields
The image depicts a cotton field in west Texas. Many
of my ancestors worked on cotton farms, including
my father throughout his childhood and teenage
years. My father was the first in his family to attend
college, and his primary motivation for doing so was
to avoid working in cotton fields for the rest of his
life. Overall, the cotton field represents the hard
work of my parents and ancestors, as well as
attainment of higher education. This is an important
influence because it has motivated me to work hard
and to pursue an advanced degree.
Meanes, L. (Photographer). (2017, November 7). The endless cotton
fields of west texas[digital image]. Retrieved from
https://www.travlinphoto.com/texas-travels/the-endless-cotton-fields-

3. Nixon Signs Rehabilitation Act [digital image] (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/affordability-in-higher-education
People with Disabilities
This image shows Richard Nixon signing the
Rehabilitation Act into Law. I chose this image for its
historical significance, as section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act extended civil rights to people
with disabilities. This connects with me personally
because I work with students with disabilities, and
these students have been a profound influence on
my life. Before working in special education I had
many preconceived ideas about disabilities, but after
working in special ed, I came to learn that disabilities
take many forms and manifest in very different ways.
I further learned that students in special education
are highly capable and can achieve far beyond what
others might expect.

4. Lopez Corzo, E. (Photographer). (2015, April 24). Abierto [digital
image]. Retrieved from http://cubasi.cu/cubasi-noticias-cuba-mundo-
ultima-hora/item/38700-%C2%BFopen-o-abierto?
Spanish Language
This image represents the Spanish language.
Growing up near San Antonio, Texas, Spanish had a
significant influence on me and my cultural
awareness. Although my mom used many Spanish
terms and expressions around me as a kid, I do not
speak as much Spanish as I would like. Despite my
lack of proficiency, I do have a special liking and
appreciation of the language. To me, the ubiquity of
Spanish serves as an important reminder of the
multicultural makeup of our country, and the fact
that many languages other than English are spoken
by Americans.

5. Separated Individuals
This image depicts fragmented groups of people who
are physically separated. Reflecting upon my family
members and the relationships between them, I feel
that fragmented is an apt description. Many of my
family members live far away and I only see most of
them at weddings and funerals. As a result, most of
my family members are not particularly close with
each other and, unfortunately I do not keep in
contact with most of them. This influence is
important because it has taught me to be
appreciative of the relatives I am close with.
Separation [digital image] (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2011/03/07/separation-of-power-
principles-problem-solution/

6. Lopez Corzo, E. (Photographer). (2015, April 24). Abierto [digital
image]. Retrieved from http://cubasi.cu/cubasi-noticias-cuba-mundo-
ultima-hora/item/38700-%C2%BFopen-o-abierto?
Religion
The image of the church is representative of religion.
Religion was a big influence on me growing up, as I
went to church with my parents from an early age.
The influence, however, was not toward those same
religious views my parents followed but away from
them. I do not follow the religion that my parents
belonged to, so their religion was an important
influence in the sense that it led me to think critically
and seek out my own truths and beliefs.

7. Rock Music
This image is photo from a concert of Motley Crue,
who are a famous rock band. I chose this photo
because I have listened to rock music my entire life,
and it has influenced me significantly. Growing up,
my whole family listened to rock and my parents
introduced me to several of my favorite bands. I am
also a musician myself and have played in various
bands for the past 15 years. Rock music is an
important influence because it has inspired me to be
innovative and creative, and it’s taught me not to be
afraid to be different.
Rubio, J. (Photographer). (2009, March 16). Motley Crue at Madison
Square Garden[digital image]. Retrieved from
http://www.agitreader.com/news/motley_crue_live_madison_square_g

8. Ake, J.D. (Photographer). (2018, October 5). US Supreme Court
building [digital image]. Retrieved from http://cubasi.cu/cubasi-
noticias-cuba-mundo-ultima-hora/item/38700-%C2%BFopen-o-
abierto?
The Law
I chose the image of the the US Supreme Court
building, because it is the highest court in the nation.
To me, this represents law, the legal process and the
judicial system. Because both of my parents worked
in the legal sector, I was hyper aware of the law,
which is something I’ve taken with me into
adulthood. My mom worked with individuals who, in
many cases, were spending many years in prison.
This influence was particularly important because it
shaped my understanding of the legal process and
our justice system’s inequities. Being exposed to
stories of people in prison also made me extremely
cognizant of following the law.

9. South Korea
This is a picture I took in Seongnam, South Korea.
The picture was taken at AK Plaza, which was near
where my wife and I lived while we taught English in
South Korea. This experience greatly influenced my
understanding of Korean culture, as I was completely
immersed in it while living and working there. I
learned a lot about the work culture, the students’
study culture, food, customs and social norms. This is
important because I now have a broader perspective
and a greater understanding of another culture than
I had before.
Moore, J. (Photographer) (2017). Seongnam

10. Mozart, M. (Photographer). (2017). (n. d.) [digital image]. Retrieved
from https://www.popsugar.com/latina/Best-Goya-Products-43686942
Mexican Food
This image shows a grocery store aisle displaying
Goya cooking products. I chose this image because it
displays many of my favorite Mexican cooking
products. Living in Texas my whole life, I’ve been
heavily influenced by traditional Mexican cooking.
To this day, I primarily use Goya products such as
Sazonador Total and Culantro in most the recipes I
make. Mexican cuisine’s influence is important
because it has brought about my own awareness and
admiration for the versatility and uniqueness of
Mexico’s foods, which are reflective of Mexico’s
unique culture.

11. Dollar Store
I chose this image of a Dollar Tree store, because to
me it represents frugality. Being poor for many years
influenced me to be extremely frugal. This influence
is important because, even now that I do have a good
job and financial security now, I am still extremely
careful about my spending and I have perspective
that people who have not experienced poverty lack.
As a result, I also have empathy for others and I
never believe that I am better than anyone else.
Dollar Tree [digital image] (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.citypages.com/news/dollar-tree-heist-offers-cautionary-
tale-about-neglecting-basic-robbery-standards/503878201