RES 5530: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (Spring 2009)

One of the most memorable moments of my life was in 1996 when I was in third grade. It was an election year. My classroom was holding our own election, which often happens in schools across the country. I did not fully understand the importance of the mock election; however, I knew it was exciting. I hurried and casted my vote in the big box at the front of the room then took a seat. When she read the results, I was ecstatic because William Clinton had taken the majority. Later that evening, I overheard my parents talking about the election and realized I had done something terrible. I was supposed to have voted for Bob Dole! My parents were republicans! Up until this very moment, I kept my classroom vote a secret from everyone. I never told a sister, a parent, a friend, no one. I was going to learn more about these candidates and exactly how our government worked. So, I began to read.

Before this, I was not an avid reader. I was not necessarily a weak reader; however, I was simply not interested. After this mishap in third grade, I became quite intrigued with politics. I began reading every bit of information I could find about candidates and government. I would read books, magazines, and even attempt to use the internet, which was just becoming available. There was something about the content that kept me reading for hours. I was the only 8 year old in the world who read Time Magazine instead of ZooBooks. I learned right then and there that I was exactly what every child pretends not to be. I was a nerd.

My interests in reading and politics continued to develop and were further cultivated by my mother’s decision to run for political office in my fourth grade year. The campaigning and meeting state and national candidates was the highlight of my life. I was so excited!
Throughout middle school, high school, and even college, I continued to broaden my horizons and read in all areas. I learned that not only did I love political figures, I loved nonfiction in general. I was intrigued by biographies and autobiographies. Through reading, I gained in knowledge and fueled my “nerdiness.” Although I hid it from the world, I had a passion for reading and a drive to learn.

Today, I am an avid reader. I have bookshelves full of an assortment of novels, and although my viewpoints have changed a bit, my literacy roots are quite evident. My life story is told in the shelves on my walls. From the biographies of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to accounts of presidential terms in office such as A Thousand Days, one could easily see that I still have a passion for political science, which is fueled by present day events and the histories found in hordes of literature. Without this innate desire to learn and a true interest in people and government, I might have never learned to appreciate and enjoy literature. I might have fallen behind and not been able to succeed as I have in life thus far. Therefore, as one might predict, I try to find the passion in every child. Although it may not be in academia, that passion could be the spark that ignites a love for reading and learning like no other subject could.

As for my personal background, I am a fourth-grade teacher at Galax Elementary School in Galax, VA. I was recently married to none other than another educator. I graduated from Appalachian State on December 21st of this past year. I love teaching and inspiring others to find their dreams and hold on to them. I am incredibly optimistic and will probably never stop setting goals for myself. For those wondering, I have not ruled out a political career in the future. However, if I ever left education for politics, I promise to be on your side. Oh, and I am still a nerd.

Brittany Guy