Discovering Myself (again!) and Kite Running

1.10.10 By Sonya Crocker

Discovering my “teacher identity” has been a major challenge in my residency year so far. I know who I am by myself, around my friends and family, working with professors and bosses—but who am I with my students? And in front of a whole group of them!?

I really didn’t expect this challenge. I was pretty sure I found myself three or four years ago somewhere in Mexico, and I did not want to do it all over again. When I asked my mom for advice, she told me, “be yourself, but be your better self.” Wise point…but what is my “better self”? Which side should dominate? The serious intellectual? The curious goofball? The encouraging motivator? I’m taking votes, so let me know what you think. ☺
In addition to my “teacher identity,” I have been looking for my “teacher intuition”—the ability to know exactly what to do and say in every situation. How do you act firm enough to instill a sense of urgency…but flexible enough to allow for exceptional situations? How can you be perceptive enough to know when a student is fibbing…but unassuming enough to believe the unbelievable when it is the truth? There is a fine line between being consistent and too rigid, and between being understanding and enabling. I’m wondering how long it will be before that wisdom comes …

I have been up to a few other things since my last blog post. In December, I planned my first unit, which I began teaching last Monday. My unit is on The Kite Runner –one of my favorite books. I was surprised to find that teaching my own unit is less stressful than teaching my mentor teachers’ units! I have to go plan some lessons now, but I’ll keep you updated on how it goes!