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So what is it?

Based on the idea that teachers are not only what we are, but more deeply who we are, the Looking Glass is a collection of activities designed as a way to thoughtfully explore what we bring to our selves and our students.

Where did it come from?

The idea for this section of the web site came out of the considerations of what teaching “really” is. “Hard” was the first thing that came to mind, but upon further musing a more profound notion developed. That conclusion is that teaching is at its core a leadership endeavor. From that, an examination of leadership revealed that a good leader is in a constant state of reflection - looking at the group, the environment, and themselves to determine the next move. Therefore, understanding who we are and what we bring to a situation is an inherent part of our leadership and teaching role.

I find this element of leadership reflected in my teaching. My experience leads me to the realization that students pay attention to me and then the content of what I teach. What this means is that anything I teach them - be it social, emotional, or academic - must come through me. In essence, I am the filter and the model. Given that my being and/or presence ultimately influences how and what I teach, I felt that I should spend time figuring out what makes me tick and what I wanted my students to gain from spending time with me in my classroom.

What is here?

What you can expect to see in this corner of the world, is a series of activities that you can try. Each is designed to act as a mirror, to somehow allow us to see what we are and what we might look like to others. All of the exercises will be self-reflective in nature, but may involve eliciting viewpoints from others. The underlying premise being that an awareness of who we are and what we bring to the classroom will enrich the experiences had in that setting.

What can you do?

We all have different ways of asking and answering questions. It may sound a bit esoteric, but the guiding question here is how do I know who I am. If you have insights into ways of getting at the answers to this question, please do not hesitate to send them my way so that we can build a rich resources for each other.

Please send ideas and comments to info.org