Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall...

Each year when I book talk a Jason Reynolds book, I always ask my students the following questions.

What do writers look like?

If you were to describe a writer, how would they look?

Close your eyes and picture a writer.  Tell me what you see?

The most common answer, or picture, is an old man with grey hair and glasses. Many actually tell me they think a writer looks something like Albert Einstein.  I laugh and tell them to take a look at the author of this book.  Then I show them a picture of Jason Reynolds. You should see their reactions.

This conversation gives me valuable feedback. The most important being that my students have a very outdated and stereotypical view of writers, and they lack exposure to contemporary authors.  

It also makes me wonder that if this image is how they picture writers, where and how do they fit into this image.

I know many teachers have yet to add "writer" to their list of identities. Yet, if we do not see ourselves as writers, how can we effectively encourage our students to do the same.  Maybe we need to take a look in the mirror and ask that important question...

When we have the confidence to say, "I am a writer," then maybe, just maybe, our students will see themselves in that mirror, too.

Leigh Anne has entered her 12th year of teaching.  She has taught 4th and 5th grade and currently teaches 6th grade ELA at a middle school in Indiana.  She is working on her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Western Governors University with a goal of becoming a literacy coach. Leigh Anne has a passion for connecting kids with books and helping teachers develop a writing life. You can connect with her on Twitter @Teachr4 or on her blog, A Day in the Life.