The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Abstract

How do teachers' memories of their teachers 'live on' and manifest themselves in their current practice? What implications do these memories have for the rememberer? For the students? For teaching? For the faculties of education trying to prepare pre-service and experienced teachers (mostly white and middle-class)for increasing numbers of children with risk factors? Through first-hand accounts, narratives and stories, I will demonstrate how self-study (Mitchell & Weber, 1999; O'Reilly-Scanlon 2000; Cole, 1999; Whitehead, 2000) using the method of memory-work (Crawford et al. 1992; Haug, 1992) for both emerging and experienced teachers, as well as teacher educators, can help bridge our past and present selves. Participants will be invited to take part in memory-work sessions(although no one will be put on the spot!). I will describe some of the latest research on memory retrieval, support and triggers, as well as some of the research related to the kinds of things we are more likely to remember and why. While there has been a great deal of interest in the significance of autobiography and life history approaches to narrative inquiry over the last decade, and a considerable acknowledgment and appreciation for how past experiences shape the present, the act of remembering, memory itself, has rarely been looked at within the context of narratives in teacher education. Thus, while teachers' anecdotes and stories have gained acceptance and recognition as valuable educational research tools, aspects of memory that make up, influence and ultimately shape the narratives have not been the subject of much discussion. In this hands-on workshop, I will try to demonstrate that through the careful consideration and reflection of the past, there lies the potential to understand more fully why and how we have come to be who we are. Further, within this reflection there lies the potential for change as we endeavor to become whom we wish to be.

Bionote

I am currently an assistant professor with the faculty of education (Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Literacy)at the University of Regina. I have recently completed my doctoral studies at McGill University in Montreal. My dissertation focused on the how teachers' memories of their teachers influence their current practice. A few years ago, I wrote a book, "Tales Out of School," which was a compilation of people's memories (positive and negative!) of their teachers. The memories demonstrated just how significant an influence teachers are in the lives of their students - not just for the time students are in their classes, but often throughout their lives. Before coming to the University of Regina, I held a senior policy advisor position with the provincial government for three years.

Presentation Type
60 min. Workshop

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests
Tables and chairs for participant discussion/involvement

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Canada