"If I am authentic as a teacher, I know of no other way to behave." - K. Frego.

Its 9pm here in Beijing, and I'm sitting in my study nook, with my cup of tea and witnessing a huge downpour outside, along with spectacular lightning display. I even have CBC jazz in the background, conveniently playing the tune "Somewhere over the Rainbow." Gosh, I really love this.

Spent the day reading a few Adult Ed. articles, and I am reminded of how good it feels to sit and work with ideas and reflect on various aspects of teaching. It is food for my soul. I've really been getting into aspects of authenticity in the classroom and how it can influence relationships with students and their learning. What does it mean to be authentic exactly? One particular article resonated with me a great deal, entitled "Cultural Dimensions of Authenticity in Teaching." I've really started to become more aware of the relative aspects of authenticity in a person, depending on what culture you come from. In North America, we value speaking up for ourselves, whereas in Asian countries like China, they seemingly value maintaining balance with in a group and not choosing an extreme.

So, how are we, as adult educators, to approach our practice? What does it mean to be authentic when working with learners coming from a variety of cultural backgrounds different from my own? When are we inauthentic? Is authenticity something we strive for, avoid, or ignore? And why? The more I get into reading and writing, the more questions I feel I have.

I read a quote from an international student studying in America, and she said, "I feel a strong moment of authenticity when I come to appreciate the fact that as an international student, I am creating a new self identity by staying longer in another culture, but in marginalized way. A moment of authenticity is to be truthful to the fact of my marginality: yes, this is the way I live. I come to appreciate that my values and how I view the world are products of this unique marginality..."

In my reflections today, I thought a great deal about the extent to which I have experienced the same thing, a shift in my self identity as a result of living and working in this particular context of China.

Just like the musicians in the jazz music I'm currently listening to, and how they use the key they have been given but put their own twist on the melody...perhaps I am doing the same in my own life. I have the right key, but I'm still working out the melody I want to create.