Once, while guest teaching, a student asked my name. I told him my name and he next asked about my family, if I had family. He then wanted to know the name of my brother. I asked him why he wanted to know the names of my family and I discovered that he intended to look us all up on the internet. Since the child was quite young, it was almost cute. Almost. I realize that he wasn’t trying to be creepy.
But as can be imagined, I have been hesitant to put my name out there ever since. Parents and students simply do not need that kind of unfiltered access to me or my views on life, art, politics, and religion.
I know cannot hide that I am a teacher from Washington State. There are too many references to the Pacific Northwest Ballet, which might, now that I think about it, give me away. I am not shy about how much I love the ballet. My life’s mission is to lure unsuspecting people into giving ballet a chance.
Since this journal has begun as a hobby, however, with a limited reach, I am not overconcerned about being found out. So…don’t tell on me.
I love few things more than engaging with other people about ideas (its almost up there with attending ballet). My hope is not only to prompt you to think about different ideas, but also to share what you think. Please, leave your comments: agree with me, disagree with me, clarify and expand on what I have written. I promise I will take you seriously. Discussion and challenge is how consensus emerges. By talking with each other, and really listening, the world becomes closer together.
Freedom of My Mind 