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Eric Hufford
Personal Cultural Project

Edu 280
02/26/2017
My full name is Eric Stephen Hufford and like my parents I was born in
Tiffin, Ohio. My mothers name is Stacey and she grew up in a somewhat
Irish household. My father Brad comes from a very similar household though
his had some German influences as well. The mixtures of these two lead us
to speak only English in our household. I grew up in northwest Ohio
surrounded by a very loud and loving family. A major tradition in my family is
to get together once a month to celebrate love and count our blessings.
Though we dont subscribe to a certain religion there has always been a
spiritual aspect to our family to some degree. Family is a major pillar in my
foundation and something that has influenced me throughout every stage of
my life.
Growing up in a small, blue collar town in Ohio for 20 years also had its
major influences as to what I identify myself as. In a town full of factories and
farm land hard work was a constant in my childhood. I thank that
environment for teaching me how to work hard and also giving me the fire to
want to leave and see the world. When I was 20 years old I signed a six year
enlistment contract with the United States Air Force and was shipped off to
San Antonio for basic training. While in, I was able to live in Texas and Florida
and also got to travel all over the world.
Aside from belonging to the small town family culture, I also belonged
to the military culture for six years. The military introduced a new level of
discipline and a level of accountability I had not previously been a part of.
Basically it put me in an environment where every second seemed to be
accounted for and it also taught me that my actions affect other people. I
belonged to a squadron thats purpose was to maintain in-flight refueling
aircraft so aside from a huge emphasis on attention to detail and integrity
that environment really helped me learn how to deal with people from all
different walks of life.

As I get older I start to realize just how important life experience really
is. I think back to the times that I have learned the most and I realize that
the most important things Ive learned havent been in a formal classroom
setting but were through going through an important life experience. I think
back to a recent life experience I had the privilege of experiencing. For the
past 6 years I had been stationed at Macdil Air Force base in Tampa, Florida.
From the day I joined until the end of my enlistment I knew that I didnt want
to spend the rest of my life in the military. For 6 years I worked a job that I
made the most of and often thought about the day when my enlistment
would come to end. Finally after the 6 years had ended my enlistment was
up.
I had my things already in route to my new place in Las Vegas so when
the day finally came my girlfriend and I were able to get in the car and take
our time driving from Tampa to Las Vegas. The feeling of freedom that I
experienced and the excitement of new beginnings was unlike anything I had
ever felt before in my life. On the way out we stopped in Louisiana, Texas,
Oklahoma, Colorado, and finally ended in Las Vegas. This whole experience
taught me that when you work hard and stay true to yourself and the people
around you things always find a way to work themselves out the way they
were intended to be.

The final thing left for me to discuss is my worldview. This is actually a
topic I dont speak about to many people because it seems that everyone
has their own agenda when discussing such topics. I think the most
important thing people need today is an open mind. That is why I always
make sure to do the best I can to actually listen when someone talks. I
consider myself a simple person and I believe my philosophy reflects that. I
believe the only thing necessary when dealing with people is an open mind
and a good heart. I think the golden rule is a law that people should truly
follow because respect for others is something that is very important to me.
As for my world view, I still maintain that stance that human beings are kind
hearted by nature. Even though it is tough to believe sometimes I still see
things on a day to day basis that reassure me of that. I also am certain that
as long as someone is causing no harm of any kind they should be free to do
whatever makes them feel happy.

In conclusion, all of these influences and experiences from the various
cultures I have experienced have lead me to this moment. Im pursuing my
degree in elementary education with hopes of becoming a Kindergarten
teacher. I believe that if I can catch children early in their academic career I
can hopefully lay a strong foundation. I believe that children at that age are
easily impressionable and pure in heart. I try my best to surround myself
with genuine people in my life and I cant think of a more genuine group of
people to teach and learn from. My goal is to have strict emphasis on
tolerance, sharing, community, and honesty. I truly believe that my sincere
intentions coupled with my hard work will allow me to make a difference in
as many childrens lives as I possibly can.

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Eric Hufford

Personal Cultural Project

Tiffin, Ohio. My mothers name is Stacey and she grew up in a somewhat

to speak only English in our household. I grew up in northwest Ohio

surrounded by a very loud and loving family. A major tradition in my family is

Though we dont subscribe to a certain religion there has always been a

spiritual aspect to our family to some degree. Family is a major pillar in my

foundation and something that has influenced me throughout every stage of

farm land hard work was a constant in my childhood. I thank that

and also got to travel all over the world.

Basically it put me in an environment where every second seemed to be

belonged to a squadron thats purpose was to maintain in-flight refueling

aircraft so aside from a huge emphasis on attention to detail and integrity

different walks of life.

I had my things already in route to my new place in Las Vegas so when

were intended to be.

consider myself a simple person and I believe my philosophy reflects that. I

hearted by nature. Even though it is tough to believe sometimes I still see

as long as someone is causing no harm of any kind they should be free to do

whatever makes them feel happy.

cultures I have experienced have lead me to this moment. Im pursuing my

degree in elementary education with hopes of becoming a Kindergarten

easily impressionable and pure in heart. I try my best to surround myself

people to teach and learn from. My goal is to have strict emphasis on

tolerance, sharing, community, and honesty. I truly believe that my sincere

intentions coupled with my hard work will allow me to make a difference in

as many childrens lives as I possibly can.

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