The Essence of Identity

Our sense of self-identity forms the bedrock of who we are, not just as educators but as individuals. It intricately weaves together our behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. To evolve and grow as teachers, we must explore our sense of identity. But how do we embark on this voyage of self-discovery?

Probing Our Identity

Let’s start by asking some fundamental questions that unravel the layers of our identity:

• Why are we here, right now, in this moment? What events and experiences have shaped our journey to this precise point, even as you engage with this article?
• Why did we choose to become teachers?
• What defines the kind of teacher we are?

Asking these questions becomes a compass guiding us toward a heightened awareness of our sense of identity. It opens the door to self-reflection, enabling us to comprehend our motives and aspirations.

Raising Awareness of Identity

There exist two potent avenues through which we can raise awareness of our sense of identity as shaped by experiences in our past.

1. Reflecting on Influential Figures: Our past is peppered with influential figures whose impact has shaped our identity. For me, this figure was my father, a quiet and introverted man whose demeanor contrasted starkly with my talkative Irish mother. Amidst social gatherings, my mother’s ceaseless chatter would cease abruptly upon her departure to the kitchen, plunging the room into an uneasy silence. Yet, my father held a different power—he was a captivating storyteller. His ability to enrapture audiences taught me a valuable lesson: everyone possesses a moment to shine, given the right context. His storytelling prowess perhaps subconsciously guided me toward the path of teaching, emphasizing the importance of finding one’s platform to captivate and engage. Everyone has their moment to shine.

2. Influence of Others in Shaping Our Identity: Our identity isn’t solely crafted by our individual experiences; it’s also sculpted through relationships with others. In my early teaching career, I encountered Esat Hoca, a staunch disciplinarian from the Naval Academy. His belief that students’ liking for a teacher was inconsequential left me skeptical. I shared my belief that we don’t learn from those we don’t like, drawing from my own experiences disliking teachers during my adolescent years. However, Esat’s commitment to his students’ learning, despite his indifference to being liked, influenced me. His unwavering dedication created an atmosphere where students respected his commitment to their progress. This taught me a crucial lesson: the emotional environment in a classroom profoundly impacts learning outcomes.

Reflecting on Influential Relationships

Consider your own life’s journey and ponder upon relationships that have indelibly imprinted your sense of identity. Who were these influential figures, and how did their presence shape the person you are today?