CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Cultural Autobiography
Titus Luckhaupt
Ivy Tech Community College

InTASC Standard, Description and Rationale

CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Standard #2: Learning Differences

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities
to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Name of Artifact: Cultural Autobiography
Date: March 6, 2016
Course: EDUC 255
Brief Description:
This is a cultural autobiography about my family. In this paper I mention how my parents met,
a little bit about where my parents came from, and family values, traditions, as well as
expectations. I address the value of family as well as the value of putting aside our differences in
the name of love.

Rationale:
To document my understanding of InTASC Standard #2, Learning Differences; I have created
my Cultural Autobiography. This demonstrates my competence in understanding the differences
between cultures. It also ensures that I will be able to identify and value cultures other than my
own.

Introduction

CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

My family is a classic mix of country and city. My mother has a lot of Indian and English
blood in her while my father is very German. Its very common for people to live around
Cincinnati while having a strong German heritage and my family is no exception. My father is
somewhere around three fourths German which mean he could technically move to Germany
right now and receive full citizenship right away. My mother however, has a lot of Appalachian
heritage.
Major Traditions/History or Events #1
My father was born and raised in Columbus Ohio and lived there and Knoxville until his
family moved to Cincinnati so my paternal grandfather could start a photo printing business (this
photo business is a very important part of my history and youll find out why later). My father
lived there for about 10 years until he eventually moved back to Columbus Ohio to pursue his
pharmaceutical degree at The Ohio State University. After he completed his pharmaceutical
degree he moved to Chicago. My mother on the other hand, was born in Barbourville Kentucky.
She moved at an early age to Cincinnati where she went to Oak Hills High School and quickly
became a popular singer around the area as she travelled with a gospel quartet and sang at
churches. She married shortly after high school and they had a son, Jason. The marriage didnt
work out and they divorced shortly after having Jason. My mother went from secretary jobs
downtown, to retail jobs in clothing stores, until one day she landed a job at a photo printing
business. I think you know know by now that it is the same photo printing business that my
paternal grandpa owned. She started working there right as my dad moved back to Cincinnati
from Chicago. They met with some encouragement from my grandpa, and quickly developed a
friendship, that of course led to a relationship and eventually marriage. My dad and mom
adopted Jason and then proceeded on having three more boys and one girl. Our ages range from

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16 to 35. So, yes, thats the love story that brought me into this world. Im the youngest of the
four boys and we are all very close.
Major Traditions/History or Events #2
My family celebrates most traditional american holidays and quite frankly I love when
we get together with family, especially my mothers side of the family. I believe my Appalachian
heritage has really impacted that side of the family. My aunts and uncles are so hospitable and
they love to cook and even more to watch people eat and enjoy their food too. They are the
epitome of the term southern hospitality. Sports and athleticism is very important in both sides
of my family. We are expected to play sports and succeed at them as well. I think that really
helped me become a great competitor out on the soccer field (which Ive played since I was five
years old). I think this competitive push from my family has also helped me in other aspects of
my life as well, including school. Religion is very to my family. My dads side is mainly Catholic
while my mothers side is mainly Baptist. We believe that we should treat others how we would
want to be treated. We think we should make the most out of every situation we find ourselves in
because we are there for a purpose.We believe that we should love everyone, even our enemies,
and that we should pray for those who despise us. Lastly, music is very important in my family.
This comes mainly from my mothers side. For as long as I can remember, I have been singing
with my brothers and sister and my first cousins. We decided to play bluegrass music and learn
how to play the instruments that we heard growing up. Instruments like the acoustic guitar,
mandolin, fiddle, and upright bass. Its these instruments and love for my heritage that has led
me to playing in a bluegrass band right now with two of my brothers. We travel all over the place
sharing our heritage of bluegrass music and also gospel to all sorts of audiences. Music is a way

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that I can properly convey my feeling about something, because the audience can feel the music
as well. Its a neat connection and a unique opportunity, Im truly blessed.
Major Traditions/History or Events #3
I truly value my family time. Time with my brothers and sisters or times with my 3rd cousin
Vernon who lives in Barbourville Kentucky. I just find so much love and support in my family.
We love to get together and smoke pulled pork, play a wide variety of games, make jokes, and
most importantly share our thoughts. I could go to so many members of my family right now
with any one problem and they would talk to me for hours and take it upon themselves to help
me through. Its that kind of love that I find from my family that you just dont see around too
often. We all come from humble beginnings and most of us never went to college because its just
not what used to happen. But, its alright, because we dont take value in money, we take value in
friendship and family. Its like what Lee Iacocca said, The only rock I know that stays steady,
the only institution I know that works, is the family (1942).
Conclusion
Its neat for me to see two very different families come together and make my family. It reminds
me that we dont all have to be the same in order accept each other. Many amazing endings can
develop from people putting aside their differences from the beginning. I wouldnt change my
family for the world, Im so happy right now, and they support me through my ups and downs,
and I know that we arent promised tomorrow but Im so glad I had today with them.

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6
References

Lee Iacocca. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved from: BrainyQuote.com Web site:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/leeiacocca138664.html