Cataloging the books I reference when considering content for the
lessons I teach during my internship, I found myself imagining my first classroom. In my mind, I arranged the student desks
and considered where I would place my desk. While visualizing colorful bulletin boards waiting to showcase student texts,
I began looking at the bookshelves in my living room to list the books I wanted in my classroom. This journey through my shelves
found me thinking about the books I will provide in the classroom as a way for students to learn who I am as a teacher and
a writer, reader, listener, and speaker. This essay that followed my cataloging ultimately became a reflection on who I believe
I am as a teacher – and a writer, reader, listener, and speaker.
In the essay that follows, I reflect on my teaching practices and
the influence of educational, writing, and literary theorists. Specifically, I connect my practices to the following
learning theorists and English instruction practioners:
