Using Sara K. Ahmed’s “Stories of Our Names” philosophy and pairing it with “Instruction for a Name Poem” shared by Mary Napoli and Emily Ritholz (Voices from the Middle, 2009) I wrote this new-to-me version of a name poem (gosh there are so many ways to do this which is awesome).
Each semester, my graduate students and I work through a variety of ways to bring writers’ identities to the forefront of the conversation and we begin by using Ahmed’s work (Being the Change, 2018). I am feeding two birds with one scone* with this particular post, because I am “writing beside” (virtually) my graduate students and this polished version will be shared with them later this week.
*My mother’s saying not mine. I like scones so it stuck…especially blueberry lemon ones.
Janeen
the dichotomy of impulsive and needing time to marinate
constructed by the bricks and scaffolding of no less than 353 memories
It is self-expression but with guidance from life’s mentor texts
cyan with flecks of kelly green, navy blue and yellow
It is carefully considered choices paired with stubborn bravery; ok fine, spiteful bravery
(can bravery be spiteful?)
It is a museum of phrases, advice, letters, photographs;
all the investments from life’s stakeholders
Phonetically spelled ensuring vacation-themed keychains could not be purchased
without intentional personalization; only fitting for a queen *wink
Janeen
If you have any writing/notebook entries that you use with your students to bring their identities into writing & the classroom, please feel free to share them – any grade level!
My Writing Life 
I really enjoyed your name poem and I really LOVE that you are writing alongside you graduate students! Thank you for sharing! Your name, like mine, was probably never on a keychain!
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This name poem has an incredible amount of depth, allowing me to gain insight as to who you are. This line especially stood out to me, “It is carefully considered choices paired with stubborn bravery; ok fine, spiteful bravery”
Lovely poem.
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There is no end to identity writing. I think we teachers are so lucky to write beside our students because we keep revisiting things like our identity. I love that your name is immune to “vacation-themed keychains.” Did that make you sad as a kid? I had to buy two to get mine and it just wasn’t the same. Stubborn/spiteful bravery is a quality I find most appealing. It’s honest bravery.
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Do we grow into our names or do our name shape who we are/become? I have been Robert, Bob, RJ, Bobby (to family and old friends) but never Rob.
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I love identity work. Some of our staff have worked through Sarah’s book. I will definitely look up Instruction for a Name Poem. I’ve written “Where I’m From” poems with students and The Best Part of Me poems (based on the book). Thank you for sharing your name and this lovely poem.
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