Cultural Diorama

For my ScEd 353 class we are discussing our cultural identities and relating this activity to what we can use in the classroom with our own students to provide an equal opportunity to learn despite cultural differences. This is a brief reflection of what synthesizes me based on four articles I've chosen to represent me in my daily life. These things include a picture of me and my family, a recipe I made up using cheap staples (pretty much all the ingredients I have,) a picture of Jesus holding a girl, and four flash cards that I've used to study for exams. 

The picture of my family is a representation of how important family is to me. I developed many of my values at home from my mother who was a stay-at-home mom. I was nurtured and loved and encouraged throughout my life by these people, and it only continues as I maintain a close relationship with them despite the change of my mother passing away, my father remarrying, and me getting married. They are always there for support, and that knowledge alone has shaped who I am today.

The hand-written recipe is very much representative of what I like to do, despite financial struggles that I am facing. As a married student it is difficult to save money, so I often skimp out on ingredients while I cook... which is often, considering I love to cook and do it every day! It represents the sacrifices made to keep a budget while still enjoying my hobby.

The picture of the Savior is a symbol of my beliefs. I have grown up in the LDS church and have taken the same morals taught there upon myself because I believe that they will lead me through a happy life. The church and its gospel ("Good News!") give me hope when combating adversity, because I have been taught of my self-worth. Thus I have taken on characteristics that I believe to be Christ-like like kindness, gentleness, understanding, and gratitude because I believe that everyone has potential as a Child of God, as we all are.

The flash cards symbolize me as a student. At BYU I am a part of a unique culture where the the capital is Mormon and where I believe there is no real "cultural power" because everyone is from across the world. As a student I work alongside diverse peers, study, and strive to achieve the long-time goal of graduating with a bachelor's degree. I work hard, as schoolwork takes up the majority of my life right now, in order to move on in life and to create better circumstances for myself and my husband. (He's going to school too.)

This is just a brief outline of me and my cultural identity. I'm pretty much your stereotypical girl from Utah... even though I didn't grow up here... :)