RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2010)

As I thought about what to post on this 1st blog to help you all learn about me, all I could think of was the different roles I take on each day. I live in Hickory, N.C . and I’m married to a wonderful man named, Brian Rhoney. We will be married for 4 years on June 24th. He is an engineer at Corning. We are planning on starting a family this summer, which makes me a little nervous but excited at the same time.

I have two wonderful parents who live in Maiden, NC. My Dad is a barber and my Mother is an Art teacher. I love getting to spend time with my parents every chance that I get. I’m very blessed that they live so close to me.

I also have two great sisters, Beverly and Leah. Beverly lives in Maiden with her husband and three kids. Leah lives in Raleigh with her husband and two kids. We try to get together as much as we can. Family is very important to me and I truly cherish mine.

My husband and I are blessed with a wonderful group of friends. They are the kind of friends that will be there anytime you need them no matter what. We enjoy playing board games, cards, grilling out, going on vaction, etc. They truly bring joy and lots of laughter to our lives.

Last but not least I am a 1st grade teacher at Granite Falls Elementary School in Granite Falls, N.C. I have taught here for four years and love it! 1st grade is such a great grade to teach because I feel like my students grow so much in one year’s worth of time, especially in their reading skills.

At a very early age I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. My Dad actually built me an indoor playhouse/classroom where I would teach my baby dolls. Each night before I went to bed my mother read me a story from a children’s Bible and my Dad would tell me a “Just Right Story,” one that he made up in his head. I loved story time; therefore, as a child reading came very naturally to me. As a pre-teen and teenager I continued to have a love for reading and a desire to become a teacher one day. So, I attended Appalachian State and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

After I taught for two years in 1st grade, I decided to go back to school and get my Master’s in Reading, because I realized the significant role literacy plays in one’s life. As I would watch my struggling readers, I had a strong desire to become more knowledge and capable of helping them become successful readers and writers.

I have enjoyed my Masters program at ASU way more than I ever imagined. I have gained so much knowledge and skills to help my beginning readers. I will be finished at the end of July. I am so glad I decided to obtain my Master’s in Reading Education. Through this process I’ve learned so much about myself as a teacher and as a person. I am excited about this class and learning to expand my knowledge on race, gender, and class through the use of literacy.

Emily Rhoney