I want to reframe the concept of baggage for the exact reason that the purpose of this activity is to reflect on what we learn, how we change and how our values shift. In my mind, it is a really good thing – necessary even – to become a better practitioner. Pedagogy Baggage #1: The idea of imposter syndrome (perhaps another thing that needs reframing?). My belief in myself and my abilities alongside the way I value humility. Very often I think I’m the only person in the room who isn’t good at something or who has insecurities about my abilities. Some things we know intellectually and yet we still somehow convince ourselves of non-truths. Pedagogy Baggage #2: I need to be a heavy-handed authoritarian in order to earn the respect of my students. This was short lived, though I do find myself wondering if I’m too easy or soft. When I check in with my students, I believe them when they tell me that my approach makes them feel safe and that I’m approachable. I want to be that for them. I have expectations of them and I believe in their abilities, though (and I was reminded of this early this morning when I was talking to my dog), gentle is the way to be, for the most part. Pedagogy Baggage #3: TEXTBOOKS! Textbooks were something I thought I needed. Remembering the burden of buying textbooks was enough for me to immediately pivot toward OERs. I’ve even found loopholes (maybe they are borderline unethical which is something I’m working through) using textbooks to help me outline my course content or modules, but not requiring a textbook is a value I hold that I didn’t before. I didn’t consider another way until all the lovely folks at the CoLab helped me learn.