New Beginnings

This week marks some interesting changes for both my university and high school teaching responsibilities. The university begins its fall term this week, and I am looking forward to teaching both the Introductory and the English methods classes. My English methods students will be reading The Odyssey and they will engage in conversations with my high school students. The high school seniors are starting the book shortly after my college students do, so they will have the opportunity to read some of the university students' reflections before they begin formulating some of their own responses. What I hope is that all of my students will begin to influence one another's thinking about the world of the text. It is both an exciting and challenging time for me as I wonder whether the students will believe they are engaging in authentic dialogue. Time will surely tell.