Being The Person My Dog Thinks I Am...

Who does my dog think I am? I'm not sure, you'll have to ask her; but she treats me like I am sincere, honest, trustworthy, and the leader of the pack. So how do I know if she is right? The process of constant critical reflection, as described and fleshed out by Brooksfield, in Chapter One of "Becoming A Critically Reflective Teacher", is more than a little scary to me. I summarized me feelings about the article by saying "You must always assume your assumptions are wrong." If this is true, than the play on words becomes an exhausting, untenable battle with yourself. What is really happening, who am I really, and did I achieve anything I set out to? I think I am about a 5 out of 10 on the scale for critical reflection. I am very good at looking back and finding fault in my performances, and even accepting those faults as acceptable and part of the learning process. Where I think I stumble is on the plans for change. I recently argued with a sociology graduate student that critique or critical reflection (of society in his case) without a plan and action for change is simply criticism. Criticism inhibits growth, I am trying to nuture it. However, I tend to make many small changes, very quickly sometimes, and to move onto the next challenge before finding full closure to my thoughts about the first one. As I said to Lepin in class, when am I supposed to find time to do all of this reflecting, with school, prenatal classes, coaching, teaching a full load, and pretending to enjoy life once in a while. I guess I hope to be able to improve the effectiveness of my down time, make meaningful adjustments to my practice and learning, and continue to allow myself to make mistakes (8/10). If I keep assuming my assumptions are wrong, and every so often they are right, it will be a bit like getting a gold star that day... oh, wait, are gold stars doing what I think they are? Oh no...