{"id":75,"date":"2011-03-20T21:12:13","date_gmt":"2011-03-21T05:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/"},"modified":"2011-04-02T22:11:46","modified_gmt":"2011-04-03T06:11:46","slug":"reflection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflection"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The [writing] teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

~Kahlil Gibran<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This quote is the guiding principle for my reflection process.\u00a0 As an artist, I personally want to be lead and encouraged towards work that best reflects me and my views\/vistas\/beliefs\u2014not my teacher\u2019s.\u00a0 Writers use the phrase, \u201cfinding your voice\u201d when referring to apprentice poets\/novelists\/literary journalists etc. who are trying on different styles, approaching various subjects that interest them, and are learning from mentors.\u00a0 At this stage in a writer\u2019s learning careful listening to his or her own heart is crucial.\u00a0 In the past, I have worked with teachers who have done the exact opposite of what Kahlil Gibran suggests as a best practice and the result was devastating each time.<\/p>\n

Gibran\u2019s maxim is hinged on the verb \u201clead.\u201d\u00a0 What is exactly involved in leading a young artist to their voice?\u00a0 It is different for each student.\u00a0 Personally, I look for warmth and a personal connection with my teacher.\u00a0 Some student\u2019s desire an frank critical eye and would rather not become overly familiar with their teacher.\u00a0 Some students need a lot of one-on-one mentoring while others prefer a more \u201chands off\u201d approach.\u00a0 All these methods of \u201cleading\u201d are actually dictated by the student; therefore, a listening ear must precede any leading.<\/p>\n

Finally, what is \u201cthe threshold of your mind\u201d?\u00a0 I believe that the space after<\/em> the threshold of the mind to be the mental space where peak creativity happens. Also, I believe that artists themselves create this place\u2014no one else can do it for them.\u00a0 Let me explain.\u00a0 For one to be able to access their creative powers, one has to be confident enough to leap over the threshold<\/em> of discouragement and doubt.\u00a0 The writing teacher may either help the student make this leap or they may reinforce and add to the height of this threshold.\u00a0 I have experienced threshold reinforcement (ouch, ouch) and the healing power of a mentor\u2019s encouragement.\u00a0 The latter is like rocket strapped to your back that boosts you over the wall.<\/p>\n

When reflecting on my teaching, I ask myself these questions:<\/p>\n

Have I taken the time to listen to my students? What sorts of leading do they need\/want?\u00a0 Are their needs and wants congruent or incongruent? Have I encouraged them an praised their work before I\u2019ve criticized their work?\u00a0 What sorts of exercises might help them over the threshold and into their zone of peak creativity?\u00a0 What teaching techniques can I use to better assist their learning?\u00a0 Have I been considerate of the various learning styles in designing my lectures and speaking to my students one-on-one?<\/p>\n

Please visit my TA Reflection Journal excerpt page<\/a> and my New Shoot Reflection Journal excerpt page<\/a> for a deeper, more specific look at my reflections process.<\/p>\n


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The [writing] teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind. ~Kahlil Gibran This quote is the guiding principle for my reflection process.\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6554,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-75","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6554"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":150,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75\/revisions\/150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/nataliethompsonfolio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}