MLisia Williams Professor Wolcott ENC 1101 section 0018 04 September 2013 Literacy Narrative If you can read

this thank a teacher. This sign was printed on just about every teachers desk in my elementary school. As a little girl Id read it, look up, and then say thank you not realizing my teacher is the only reason I can read. My Nana, Papa, etc. taught me a lot as well. Over time there were many people who contributed to my literacy. Prior to reading Brandt I didnt see how many sponsors I actually had. The time and effort given to me by my sponsors, as well as overcoming my sight, and hearing obstacles, are the very reasons I am a UCF Knight today. Reading is like opening the door to a brand new world. Every one isnt fortunate enough to learn how to read and those who are probably dont remember when they learned. Many of us began reading from as young as 2 years old. I know for certain my toddler years are mostly a blur. But I do remember bits and pieces of the process of learning new words with my Nana, it was just before kindergarten. She would sit me on the floor in front of her rocking chair and hold up flash cards of different words from Hooked on Phonics, or The Word Box as I liked to call it. Little did I know she was improving my comprehension and expanding my vocabulary. In the evenings she would play scrabble with me after dinner, once again improving my comprehension and expanding my vocabulary.

A turning point for my literacy was in 2nd grade when I got my first pair of glasses. I have astigmatism and therefore needed a lot of test, and eye doctor visits before Williams, 2 I could get the right pair of glasses. Being in the gifted program I sat in the front of the class, sometimes I received work that was deemed more challenging, and I would help my other classmates when I could. Before I got my glasses it was like the blind leading the blind, literally and figuratively. During this time I was also diagnosed with slight hearing loss in my left ear. That came as no surprise to me seeing as how I would always respond with huh or what when someone was talking to me. After a few ear doctors visits and lots of tests later I could hear well enough to function and didnt need to go anymore. I could hear, and see nothing could stop me now. I began a lot of volunteer work at my local teen center and old elementary school. Thats how I discovered my passion for working with children. It felt good knowing the kids were excited to see me, I even taught one of the kids how to count, and not just say but identify his ABCs. After my first psychology class in high school I knew I wanted to work with children and study early childhood development. As I moved along through high school I kept up my volunteer work and even got my first job as a camp counselor. Unfortunately by the time senior year came around I was having hearing problems again. I went back to the doctor and found out I needed a hearing aide. With my contacts and new hearing device school became a little easier. I always made good grades and had no behavior problems but my contacts and hearing aide made things like taking notes easier. I was thankful all these problems were fixed before college.

When it came time to apply for colleges UCF was my dream school. They had a great psych program and education program. The teachers I had over the years helped Williams, 3 mold me into the student I am so that I could attend such a prestigious university. My nana instilled the fire for learning in me so Im always happy to obtain new information that I can use in the future. My literacy development molded me into the Knight I am today and I couldnt be more proud.

Williams, 4 Works Cited Brandt, Deborah. "Sponsors of Literacy." College of Composition and Communicatoin49.2 (1998): n. pag. 165-185 Print.