My family was the quintessential Simpson family when I was growing up (but without the often forgot about baby Maggie), so this is why I chose to use the Simpson characters to depict my family. My brother is a year younger than I am. As children, it seemed like we were always in competition as far as who would do better in school, and this helped to push me to always want to do my best. Now, as adults, we have each taken very different paths - he chose not to go to college and makes a very good living as an employee of General Motors while I am working on my fifth college degree. I guess I took winning the education competition a little far! My mom and dad were very supportive of my brother and me. They made it clear that school was the most important job that we had, and I remember my dad helping the both of us with our homework every night at the dining room table. The importance of education was clear all through my school years, and one memory that I have is of both of my parents attending EVERY parent-teacher conference from kindergarten through twelfth grade. One conference night during my senior year, my parents came home and said that most of my teachers questioned why they were at the conference when I was getting all A's on my report card, and they answered that it was nice to hear good news about your child. I was embarrassed at the time, but now as an adult, and a teacher, I really appreciate their involvement. They continue to offer me support, although they think it's funny I am still taking college classes, and they encourage me to keep bettering myself through education. My grandfather was another positive influence growing up. I remember him constantly telling me how important it was to do well in school, and even though he was not alive to see me graduate high school and then college, I am sure that he would be extremely proud of all that I have accomplished thus far.
