Self-

Identification

and CultureLinda Dressel

January 10, 2015

Born and raised in

Philadelphia, PA

White, middle class,

Irish-Catholic

neighborhood

Weekly mass

CCD class

Father – police

officer

Mother – stay-at-

home

Third of five children

No emphasis on our

Irish heritage

All About MeThe Early Years

College Years

o Attending college was not discussed or expected

in our family , despite good grades

o Attended Holy Family University, in Philadelphia,

PA, and paid for it myself

o Was a starting player for both the women’s

basketball and women’s soccer teams

o First true exposure to other cultures

o Graduated, but worked in a hospital as a buyer

because it paid a lot more than teaching

o Disliked boring job

Family Life• Married for over twenty-three years

• 2 daughters, one in college (SpEd) and one a

junior in high school

• 3 pets; a dog, a cat, and a guinea pig

• Moved to Tampa in 1999 for husband’s job transfer

• Positives: no snow, less traffic, love job, new

friends, learn a lot about other cultures

• Negatives: miss family and friends, can’t visit

often, miss Flyers (huge fan)

Teaching

• Started teaching after moving to Florida

• Currently teach 3rd grade at Bryant Elementary in

Tampa, FL (high SES school)

• Previously taught at a Title 1 school and a magnet

school, also in Tampa

• Believe that not being encouraged to attend college

hurt my confidence and drive

• Stress to all my students the expectation of higher

education, because of how I was raised

• Love Tampa’s diverse culture. Personally have learned

so much since moving here

.

Saint Leo Core Value of

Personal Development

o The Saint Leo core value of personal development

stresses development of every person's mind, spirit, and

body for a balanced life

o As educators, it is our responsibility to model and teach

this to our students

o The more our students learn about other cultures,

beliefs, and histories, the more open-minded they will

become

o As leaders, it is our responsibility to value others, lead by

example, and continue our own personal

development. We can not expect others to do what

we are not