1. Introduction Marian Gisele Ruiz Course 692 Creativity and Global Contexts in Education Decision Making 31 Mar 2015

2. My Family & I I am 32 years old and originally from Chicago IL. I am currently living in Belle Chasse, LA due to Military obligations (Marine Corps) shown here is my small family, Makayla (6) Sebastian (2) and Michael (top) Myself and Sebastian (bottom).

3. Factors that can be used to Identify Me Religious Affiliation Grew up in a Christian family household, with my mother taking us to church every Sunday. Currently it is hard to attend one specific church since I move a lot, however I still hold the belief of putting God first and everything in his hands. Family Structure My mother was hard working and strived to make the best for both my brother and I. She divorced my father when I was 6 but it clearly didn't’t overwhelm her, very was strong, women and told us to essentially not wait for anyone to give us what we want rather work to hard to achieve your goals/success. She was very independent and quite frankly I am exactly like her, independent and I strive to get what I want. Enlisted in the Marine Corps Obtained a Bachelors (psychology) Pursuing my Master’s Ethnic/Racial Background Nationality I am Hispanic from Puerto Rican Decent, my children are half Puerto Rican and Italian so ethnicity and nationality play a huge role I am not familiar with any traditional Italian roles however Holidays are extremely important to me specifically Christmas and El Ano Nuevo (New Years) Festivities merely include traditional puertorican dishes, music, and folkloric dance I am very fluent in Spanish in both reading and writing and have been working hard on teaching my eldest. I believe being bilingual has its benefits. Educational Level I value my educational level and strive to go as far as I can, currently I have pushed my better half into attending school (one because it is free for us) he currently just obtained his AA. In information Technology and is pursuing his bachelors. I feel that education is key to endless possibilities.

4. Summary of Me I was raised by a hard working very influential mother of 2. The neighborhood in where I grew up was predominately Hispanic and middle class. I attended a school that was out of district because my mother was a public school teacher and it was easier to simply drive us to the school where she taught this continued up until the beginning of my high school. Upon graduating from H.S in 2000, I attended a community college to gain some credits and in 2001 I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

5. The Marine Corps has taught me a lot and has broaden my perspective within the different cultures that we find ourselves in whether it is within the states or abroad everyone holds different, traditional values, and beliefs. In my free time (when I am not studying) I love hanging out with my kids, working out, painting or drawing or even dancing (having a mini party at the house) I also love to cook and quite frankly I love LAUNDRY!! One very important ceremony that happens every year and one that I cannot wait to be able to take my children to is the Marine Corps Ball, my husband and I are both Marines (though he is not actively serving) and it is simply a time for us to come together and celebrate the many years of dedicated service with other Marines young and old, I especially love saying Happy Birthday to Older Veterans (I consider myself to be a young vet) it’s a sense of pride that is hard to explain but willing to be shared. Formal event in which Marines are dressed in their most prestigious uniform (Dress Blues) ceremony consist of traditional methods followed by lots of dancing and drinking. A manner in which dictates camaraderie. I consider myself to be an Observational Person. I ultimately get motivated by the success or failure's of others or my very own, it is what I use to get better, so the saying “Know yourself and seek self-improvement” is something that I live by and will most definitely tell my kids when they are older, mainly because it is always best to not only strive for what you want or believe in but to make adjustments throughout your journey towards achieving your goals.