A reflection on my cultural story.

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. Here’s my larger extended family, including sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces,
nephews, and parents. 

6.  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.

7. 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 .

8. My two passions, aside from my son, my dogs, 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 

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

13. 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