Individual Culture

Project
Education 280
Jael Flores
 Culture Belongings
Ethnic and Cultural Background:
Both of my parents were born in Mexicali Baja California.
The city is situated across the Mexico-U.S. border from
Calexico, California.
I was born in Baja California in a small town. My parents
came to the united states when I was two years old with my
older sister. I grew up in Las Vegas, I have no family in
Vegas at all. So, we go and visit our family every year. My
parents came to Vegas not knowing any English at all, I
didn't learn English until I was enrolled in school. Now I'm
fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and for my parents
they understand English and could speak it better.
Regardless, of anything my parents keep teaching my sisters
and I the importance of our Mexican culture.
 Culture Belongings
Background:
My family was raised apostolic Christians. We go to church
every Friday and Sunday. Afterwards, we either go out as a
family to eat or with the youth of the church.
On holidays such as thanksgiving or Christmas we would
split up Christmas with my mom and dad’s family. We would
spend Christmas at my grandmas house my dad's mom in
which we would hit the piñata and would have to wait until
12 at night to open the presents. For Christmas, every year
we eat Tamales, pozole, menudo, Frijoles Puerco's and
ensalada de coditos.
For quinceanera, traditionally we make it big to celebrate
with the family the last moments you have as a girl and to a
women. The food is the best part of the celebration, in which
includes
- Aguas frescas
- Carne asada, Birria
 Life Experience
My parents decide to moved to the U.S. for a better opportunity for our family. Mexicali
wasn’t a bad place, both my parents had decent jobs but wanted more for us, in Mexicali
there isn't a lot of profession to work as in the U.S. Even though it must have been hard
for them to move to a new country and leave everything behind I know they did it for a
better life for us.
- Growing up wasn’t the easiest, I would struggle with English a lot as in my
household we would only speak Spanish. It would be hard for me to communicate
with other children, the same would go for my parents in finding jobs it was hard.
Both my parents did the best they could to provide us with food on the table.
Throughout the years I got better and taught my younger sister better English then I
did growing up. I remember my mom would always volunteer to chaperon for field
trip at my schools.
- I remember having to rush to do my homework to go outside and playing tag with
the kids from my neighborhood. They would only let us stay outside until 6 in the
afternoon and back inside, and the same thing again the next day.
- I went to Iverson Elementary School. I remember all my teacher. None of my
teachers spoke Spanish but I remember that my second-grade teacher would stay
after school with me every Wednesday to help me improve my grades.
 Life Experience
• Going to 6 grade my dad lost his job at this time we barley got a new house, my dad would go through so
th

much stress trying to pay not only the house but bills and to provide us with food in the table. My dad kept
looking for a job until he found one.
• I graduated from chaparral high school and ended up at CSN majoring for Rn. I was going to transform to Pima
Medical Institution but decide to stay at CSN and changed my major to elementary education.
• My dad was disappointed in me for not continuing my major in the nursing program, I remember when my dad
told me that teacher didn’t make a good pay or the kids are rude to the teacher. Mexican parents expect so much
for their kids, later on the months of my dad not accepting my teaching career. Later on he accepted it and told
me to do something that I loved.
• I remain at the Torre Fuerte church where I teach the little kids, as well to being part of the worship team and
being the director of the music group.
• As I will be the first child to graduate from college, I feel excited but lots of pressure to make my parents proud.
Values and standards:
My worldview
• I was raised Apostolic Christian, until this day I still go Goals:
to church. Not because my parents force me to but Short term
because I want to, and I know who I serve. • To graduate college soon and begin teaching in
- My parents wish for us was to keep going to church and an elementary school.
to continue seeking God and to never leave church.
• Trust and Honesty is a trait I value the most especially in
a family.
• My parents always taught us to work hard for what we
wanted.
• My parents always told us to study very hard and to
finish high school. Which I woul