Introduction

1. EDU692 Creativity, Culture & Global Contexts in
Education Decision Making
Ginger Jordan
August 30, 2016
Angela Stephens
Introduction

2. Hello, everyone!
My name is Ginger Jordan and I am from Ocala,
Florida.
I am originally from Florence, S.C. After
graduating high school, I lived in Louisiana,
New Jersey, and finally settled in Florida. I
believe Ocala is the perfect spot for me! It is
centrally located in the state and I can be at the
coast or gulf within an hour’s drive. I can also
drive an hour south and be in Orlando. I spend
most of my weekends at Disney – especially
during the summer!

3. Age: 42
• I chose to include this demographic because my age helps explain
where I am in the stages of life. Also, I believe the era in which you
born can have an effect on your outlook.
• As a Generation Xer, we tend to be thought of as the first “latch key
kids” and developed a strong sense of independence and self-
Divorce started to become more common in the 1970s and many
children were raised between to independent households.
• Personally, my parents divorced when I was 12. There were also many
days I was home alone after school.
Demographic Factors

4. Gender: female
• I chose to include gender because society tends to draw a
lot of conclusions based on this demographic.
• Females are generally viewed as the weaker sex. We are
seen as being less aggressive, submissive, and more
emotionally.
• I must admit, this stereotype is pretty accurate when it
comes to me. I am not an aggressive person. I tend to
wear my heart on my sleeve and it doesn’t take much to
soften my heart. Others have described me as gentle,
thoughtful, and caring. I guess that’s what makes me a
great elementary school teacher.

5. Ethnic/Racial Background: White
• I chose to include my ethnicity to show diversity. This
demographic provides a little insight to my background.
• I chose to use the term “white” because I do not like
“Caucasian.” I am not from the Caucuses or Asia. 
• My father’s side of the family immigrated here from Ireland in
the 1930’s. I inherited the pale skin, freckles, and red hair.
(I’m blonde now thanks to chemotherapy.)
• My mother’s side of the family is split – my maternal
grandmother’s family immigrated from Scotland during the
early 1900s. My maternal grandfather is Native American and
from a Cherokee tribe in the Carolinas.
• So I guess that makes me Irish/Scottish/Indian. Quite the
combination!
Scottish
Cherokee
Irish

6. Socioeconomic Status: Middle Class
• This demographic was chosen to show that I am what they consider
“average” for my age.
• I believe socioeconomic status is important because it shows one’s life
chances. Someone with little income and lack of education may have
different life experiences than someone who has been exposed to a
different environment because of money or education.
• My annual salary is $40K+
• I own my home, car, and have a college education.
• I grew up in a lower-middle class family. My parents did not have a
college education and only one parent worked and had limited income.

7. Family Structure: Divorced
• I chose to include the demographic of family
structure because it provides an overview of
stability.
• I have been divorced for 13 years.
• My 17 year old son lives with me.
• I also have a 21 year old daughter who lives away
from home at the University of Florida.
• We also have a family pet. She may look like a
puppy, but she’s been a member of our family for
13 years!

8. For starters, I was born to a 16-year girl who was not ready for
the burden of a child. The pregnancy was unplanned and she
did not want me – even a little! I was a victim of physical and
emotional abuse from birth until age 12. My father was around
very little and was often working out of town, which left me at
the mercy of my mother.
My parents divorced when I was 12 years old. This was
probably the best thing that could happen to me. After that, I
went to live with my dad and grandparents. This is when my
life became “normal.”
My Personal Story

9. I attended public school growing up. During elementary school I
was introverted and had very few friends. I mostly kept to myself.
I was always the last chosen for sports and was teased by others.
Once I began living with my grandparents, they got me involved
in extracurricular activities. This helped me make friends and
break out of my shyness. By high school, I was a social butterfly.
I gained confidence and had many friends. From elementary
through high school, I never made honor roll. I was a “C” and
sometimes “D” student.
I was late going to college. I finally graduated with my Bachelor’s
at age 41. I had time to mature and grow, and walked across the
stage graduating Magna Cum Laude.

10. I do not have any hobbies or interests that uniquely impact my view of
the world, but I was diagnosed with a life-changing medical condition.
At age 36, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. I had to go
through chemotherapy and surgeries. According to the American
Cancer Society, I was given a 30% chance of a 5 year survival. This
November will be year 6 that I have managed to slowly change that
statistic.
I do not regret being diagnosed. It woke me up and made me realize
all the things in life that truly matter. I never take a single day for
granted. It is because of this, that I went back to school to become a
teacher and I am now teaching 3rd grade. I chose to chase a passion
that I have had since I was young.

11. Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little
about me and my background.
I’m looking forward to learning more about each of
you from your introductions and interacting in this
course.
Let’s get these 6 weeks started! 