1. SPED854 assignment: who am i
By: Anthony kavalauskas

2. Where am I from
I grew up in a prominently white middle- class town of about 35,000 people.
I lived with my two parents and five siblings. I am of Lithuanian and Italian descent, but mostly identify with the Italian culture and traditions.
My mother raised us to respect others and recognize the good in everyone.
As an educator, I work with my colleagues, respecting what they contribute and looking for the good in them.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

3. The ohio state university
Given that I grew up in a predominately white town, I did not had my first multi-cultural experience until entering college. I knew very little about African American and Asian American people, so I was very intimidated by them.
By my senior year in college, I better understood the diverse nature of my peers and had many great experiences learning about their culture.
As a teacher, I seek to learn as much as I can about my students and their families. I believe that this establishes a relationship of mutual trust and respect.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

4. The Business world
Before becoming a teacher, I went to work with the multi-national company, Cargill.
During my career, I spent time in England and Singapore on special assignments with the local people.
I gained valuable experience with respect to understanding the cultural and ethnicity of others and learning how to best work them.
As a teacher, I draw on my experience from Cargill to help me work with others who are different from me.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

5. Faith
I attend Saint James the Greater Catholic Church. My faith is at the center of my life.
As an educator, my faith guides me when I am reflecting on how to do something better the next time.

6. family
My wife and I raise our kids to respect their faith and to recognize the good everyone.
My wife and I teach our kids to dream, believe, and achieve.
As a teacher, I strive to get my students to dream big and to believe that they can achieve. I see them through the same lens as my children.

7. Educator
After 15 years working in finance, I elected to return to school to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.
I have a passion for serving students who have a disability and helping them achieve academic and personal success and to realize their dreams.
As a teacher, I try and be the best advocate for my students by partnering up with those who can help me help my students achieve and succeed.