Identity Blog

I think one of the best ways I can support the formation of students' identities is by always giving them opportunities to decide who they are, and where they stand, on a variety of issues. I'm fortunate to be going into English education, where we have the amazing vehicle of literature. Students will have the chance, virtually every day, to view a character as they tackle complex and messy situations. Which means that students will have the opportunity to ponder over how they would have handled the situation, and whether they agree or disagree with the character. I will provide guided discussions in the class so that students will be gently pushed toward confronting these issues, in case they are either forclosed or diffuse on the issues. As they discuss their points, supporting their positions with logic and textual evidence, they can have "practice runs" at life--a kind of safe trial-and-error period in which they can test hypotheses about the way things work in the world and society without the danger inherent to making these decisions in their real lives. Literature provides a safe distance at which students can analyze decisions without endangering their egos or risking damaging their lives, but allows them to gain wisdom as though they had experienced it personally.