The document discusses the key aspects of the author's identity, including being a 43-year-old female who recently gave birth after a difficult journey and now sees motherhood as central to who she is. She grew up in a culturally diverse family and neighborhood, allowing her to relate well to her students who come from similar backgrounds. Her passions are writing, gardening, and spending time with her son.

2. The biggest influencing factor on my identity would have to be my
gender. Being a female allowed me to experience the most
amazing gift: pregnancy and childbirth. My age, 43, has really
helped me appreciate my role as a mom. Having given birth to
my one and only child at the age of thirty-eight, after a very
tumultuous journey, I did not think I was going to have children.
So, the fact that I have my son is the single-most important
part of my identity, right now 
While I am of the “majority” culture, ethnically, I grew up in the
very neighborhood where I first taught, so this put me in the
unique position to not only understand what my students’
home lives were like but to better relate to them as individuals.
I use my childhood as a bridge to build relationships with my
students and their families.

3. I also come from a culturally diverse family. After my mom and biological
father divorced, my mom remarried a Hispanic man, thus furthering my
ability to relate to my Hispanic students. Growing up with my mom and
my step-dad’s families, I enjoyed exposure to Southern-culture
(particularly their love of music) and Mexican-traditions (such as making
tamales from scratch).
Here is the “next
generation” of my
family…

4. Here’s our “little family”: me, my son, and our two dogs. Of course, we have a much larger
extended family 

5.  A California native, I was born and raised in a small
coastal town most people have never heard of: Port
Hueneme (pronounced why-knee-me ). I have to
say, it was a great upbringing. I have fond
memories of trips to the beach and local parks with
my Mom, Grandmother, and sisters. Going through
my high school years with the same group of
friends made the “best years of my life” even better.
My favorite childhood memory is lying in bed on
foggy evenings listening to the long, lonely cries of
the foghorn warning ships that the shore was near.

6. I attended public school in a predominantly Hispanic school
district from kindergarten to 8th grade. Being one of the
only White kids in the district, I often felt like the outcast
and had very few friends. I did have two best friends,
though, one was Mexican and another was Black. We
made quite the trio . Once I went to high school, I started
hanging out with the “beach crowd”, which found me
rebelling. I suppose I would have rebelled no matter who I
hung around with, as that is the age it happens!
I attended community college for five years after graduating
high school because I just couldn’t figure out what I
wanted to do with my life. Once I got on the teacher track,
though, I was hooked! I received my undergrad at Cal Poly
in SLO. It was the most amazing experience, once I got
over the culture shock of being around so many White
people .

7. My two passions, aside from my son and education, are
writing and gardening! I am an avid writer, in journals,
on blogs, in academia. I simply love to write! And, I love
working the land with my son to produce wholesome,
organic fruits and veggies 

8. My first name, Sara, was given me by my mother. I was
named after a little ghost on her, then, favorite soap
opera, Dark Shadows. She chose my middle name to
be Renae because nothing else sounded good with
Sara.
I’m not sure why but, growing up I was always referred to
by my middle name. This led to problems for me when
my class had a substitute, as the sub would always call
out my first name, Sara. Since most of my classmates
were not familiar with that name, teasing and ridicule
always ensued. This is one reason I am very sensitive
to my students’ names, nicknames, and pronunciations.

9. Aside from dressing up for Halloween, believing in Santa
Claus and the Easter Bunny, one family tradition we
have is “Un-Birthday Presents”. Whenever one of the
kids in our family has a birthday, the siblings and/or
cousins within age range receive a small but thoughtful
“un-Birthday present”. I believe this started with my
eldest sister’s children (and I think I am the guilty party
that started it ). It continued with my younger sister’s
children, and now my son and my grand-niece, who are
very close in age, receive un-Birthday presents.

10. I’m not sure of any advice passed down from my
ancestors, but I do come from a long line of strong,
independent women. My grandmother raised nine
children by herself, in the South, after her husband died.
My mother was a single mother and sacrificed a lot for
my older sister and me. My sisters and I are very strong,
independent women, as well.
As a single mom to my son, I want him to be comfortable
with and respect strong women, but I also want him to
see my vulnerable, sensitive side. It is a delicate
balancing act raising a son without his father.

12. I am very excited to be "here" with you all and
look forward to getting to know each and
every one of you as we embark on this
“learning journey” together.
Dr. Sara