1. Cultural Autobiography
Mathew Weber

2. What kind of teacher do I want to be?
A leader, not only in my classroom but also in the community. In today’s society, true leadership is something that is missing. Rather many lead for personal gains rather than for the benefit of a community.

3. What kind of teacher do I want to be?
A role model, a person who’s work ethic, dedication and loyalty are emulated by others. Being a male, in a culture that nearly fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, I would strive to be a positive male role model for those without stable home lives.

4. Why do I want to become a teacher?
Positive Experiences
The best teachers that I had made the subject fun through their passion for the subject that they taught. Seeing that they had fun with their career choice drove me towards being a teacher.

5. Why do I want to become a teacher?
Negative Experiences
Especially at a young age, I had a few negative experiences with teachers. This made me not want to go to school and turned me off in their classrooms. I feel that I would not be this kind of teacher and hope that I can help with this issue for any other future students.

6. Why do I want to become a teacher?
Coach Athletics
I have always been passionate about sports. And, I have found some of my best teachers have also been coaches. In most cases they are the most involved in the school and community.

7. How do my home and family cultures influence my beliefs about teaching?
I was the first in my family to attend a four year college. My family is very blue collar in occupation and values. This has created a personal belief that those who put in the most effort and are dedicated will be rewarded for their efforts (This was noticeable in my life as an athlete being named a multiple time All-American football player). I feel these ideas are the same in teaching, those that prepare, plan and understand their subjects the best will have positive results with their students both academically and socially.

8. How do media, peers, schooling and religion influence me and my beliefs about teaching?
I feel the media and popular culture to often marginalize those with great sets of moral values. Being a teacher enables you to reach the greatest number of people and provide a positive set of values on those that are most persuaded by the media.
Jersey Shore was voted the most popular TV series for teens in With a cast that prides itself on bad decision making and being intoxicated. Source: Tvbythenumbers.com

9. Why do I need to develop a philosophy for good multicultural teaching?
Growing up on a farm, then going to college at a smaller school has left me with a lack of exposure to other cultures. However, it is important for me to develop a philosophy for good multicultural teaching in order to be able to best teach everyone within a school despite their varying values and morals, religion, and family situations.