All The Things We Are Dolloff Analysis

In the article All the Things We Are written by Professor Lori-Anne Dolloff, we discover how inspiring teachers can balance their multiple identities in teaching. In this article readers are able to explore the various identities one has and how they play an important role in shaping future educators. Through the teacher educators realization of our changeable identities, allowing students to explore what type of teacher we strive to be and understanding how to use our emotions as a means of constructing our teacher identities, we would be propelled towards becoming an educator who is able to always evolve. Our identities are always constantly changing due to our identity consisting of multiple choir voices and our image of a “perfect” teacher is strongly influenced by media and culture. In the article it stated that our identities are constantly evolving and are affected by new events and challenges. It changes when we are in a different environment and also when we are with different people. I strongly agree with this statement because I also change my identity when I am in different situations. I realize that I act differently when I am a student in a classroom compared to being with family and friends. We also have different identities when different events in life happen. Like when I am just becoming comfortable with someone and becoming friends I may be shy but as we spend more time together and become friends, I become more open and dynamic. Furthermore, in the article it refers to out identity as multiple choir voices and we need to learn how to harmonize these voices so we can become the best teacher we can be. I agree that teacher education should focus on allowing students to explore their identity and learn how to harmonize the various voices that they will bring as a teacher. I believe that the better our harmonization sounds, the better teachers we are. We must learn and understand ourselves better to become the best teacher we can be. For example, I really enjoy encouraging students and having fun with my lessons but I may become too lenient. I need to harmonize both traits and learn to use them in classroom teaching situations. Moreover, the article pointed out that our cultural image of what a teacher should be like has an effect on our own development of teacher identity. The stereotypical, popular culture image of a perfect teacher obstructs our development of teacher identity. According to the article some people many not even become teachers because these stereotypes. They feel they may fail as a teacher because they are unable to meet society’s expectations of a perfect teacher. I strongly agree that society’s expectations cause people to steer clear of becoming a teacher. Personally, I …show more content…
According to the article there are three crucial steps in helping education students develop their identities. They are: reflection of self, imagine what you want to become and the fear of becoming. In the article it mentioned that when teacher educators share their experience and knowledge, they help education students understand what real life teaching is like. Through their experiences, we are able to self identify. The article stated that the process should start with students reflecting on the teacher that that are. As a former Kumon instructor, I realized that I am really encouraging but sometimes not as firm as I should be to my students. I also need new teaching strategies because many times my students may not understand or like the way I teach. The next step, according to the article, is having teacher education let students imagine who they want to be. I want to be an exciting teacher who develops lesson plans that students enjoy. Be a firm yet very encouraging teacher. Someone who is not too strict but has firm boundaries for my students. Most importantly, I want to create a commutable learning environment for all my students. Letting education students realize what teacher they are afraid of becoming helps them develop boundaries so they can avoid them. Personally, I am afraid of being strict, harsh and boring. But I'm also afraid of being too laid back, not letting my teaching have an affect on my students and being discouraging to my students.Therefore, through the three steps of: reflection, imagine and fear of becoming, education students are able to become the best students they can