Kayla's autobiography

 

Hello! My name is Kayla Whittaker, but most people call me Kay. I'm currently a junior at NJCU. My major is business marketing where I will get my bachelors degree. As of right now I work at RPM Raceway, where I learn tons of marketing and costumer service skills. Eventually when I depart from my job I will have my degree and go right into becoming the best marketing specialist I can be. My interest/hobbies insist of traveling, shopping, and learning new skills. I did cheerleading and gymnastics my whole life, I can do many flips till this day. Always a cheerleader at heart lol. This class was recommended by my advisor, she told me it's an excellent course. So I decided to see what the hype was about. Caught my attention for sure. Excited to see what this course has in store. 

    When I was an infant, life was much different for me, I didn't grow up in America. I grew up in the Cayman Islands. A small place on the globe that some don't notice. The education was much different over there. I was taught two different ways, from 1-11 I was taught the British way, then from 12 ongoing I was taught the American way, believe it or not it was very difficult to adapt too. I remember being 6 or so and my teacher making me read simple regular words, by that age I should have been way more advanced. I was very behind but I didn't know any better, and neither did my parents. They were both born and raised in the Cayman Islands as well. My Mom knew the education was not top tier where we were, so she decided to move. That move was probably one of the hardest things I had to do, and the beginning of my literate journey. As you know Caribbean people have strong accents, and boy was mine strong. Sixth grade was my first year in America. English was my first period class every morning. It consist of reading out loud, grammar, and spelling. I dreaded reading out loud because of the way I would pronounce words and how slowly I read. It was differently so I always got laughed at. After many long and upsetting nights, my mom took it upon herself to put me in a morning/afternoon extra help class. I thank her till this day that she did, my true role model. Her and my wonderful elementary teacher Mrs. Williams. She taught me how to spell correctly, how to read with out stuttering, and to embrace the voice god gave me, and most importantly how to write an essay. Creative writing was our thing, freestyling is what truly grew my love for literacy. After that point on  I made second honorable straight into to high school.  I truly will always be grateful for her, she turned my life around for the better, just by believing in me. 

    literacy is so essential in every thing I do. It's apart of my everyday life. Whether it be connecting with others, greeting at my job, reading menu's, to even reading road signs. Starting young is very beneficial. Believe it or not my little sister  will always inspire my literacy development. I go to her to double check my essays, proof read anything. very smart, my inspiration., and that's because her literacy journey started very young. 

 

Comments

  1. prof.KSeptember 6, 2021 at 9:45 AM

    Kay,
    Thanks so much for sharing your introduction and literacy story! I think it would be very difficult for anyone to switch from a British to an American educational system at such a critical age, especially without a strong literacy foundation. The spoken accent also makes the transition you made very difficult, in and of itself. I can remember moving from one part of the US to another part where the accents were very different. I was in the 7th grade, and I can remember not being able to understand many of the words the teacher was saying because of the accent. It was so frustrating! Thank goodness for your mother's support and your teacher's help, and their belief in you!!

    Your involvement in gymnastics and your love of travel are wonderful, too!

    Certainly, your language and cultural literacy will play an important role in your marketing career. It sounds like you already have a great start with experience in that career in your current job.

    I look forward to working together this term!
    Professor Knauer

    ReplyDelete

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