a] The work of Ankeny in this chapter echoes much of that proposed by
Kennett in Chapter 14, although not with the overt multicultural emphasis there employed.
The thesis, however, is similar: that one must "examine one’s soul in order to
align the inner self with the outer self." The use of biography in this quest
is worthwhile in that it provides insight into people’s lives. This is particularly
relevant in terms of understanding "how people in the past experienced God and lived
admirably or despicably." Think of a published biography you have recently read, or
of a person of whose life you have some ‘inside’ knowledge. What could you learn
from his/her life (‘biography’) which would help you to ‘examine your
soul’?
b] Reflect upon the some of the formulative experiences that have
arisen from your teaching practice. Taking the words of Kierkegaard – that "life
can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" – consider what
you would include if you were to ‘write your story’. What ‘lessons’
would you hope to gain from such an exercise, and what would you want to share with
others? As Ankeny states, "As teachers we accumulate stories that beg to be told;
stories that help us understand our selves and our students, and stories that inform and
improve practice." Which of your stories "beg to be told", and in what ways
could you ‘find growth’ in your own story, and those of others?