My beliefs about teaching and learning are informed by my own experiences as a student and teacher. As a student, I appreciate teachers who prompt me to critically examine my ideas. The benefits from these learning experiences are not always immediately evident; I think there’s some truth in the saying that “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” The more successful teachers are also those who follow their emotional instincts as well as their lesson plans. As a teacher, I believe that students value integrity and respect from instructors. Therefore, although a certain level of expertise and knowledge is critical, a trusting environment is also a necessary precondition for meaningful interaction. I agree with Stephen Brookfield (“The Skillful Teacher”) that learning is emotionally-filled, particularly when students are challenged to question their views. As Elizabeth Ellsworth suggests, teaching is “a messier and more inconclusive affair than the vast majority of our educational theories and practices make it out to be.” In my view, students’ prior learning and knowledge are important, teaching and learning is highly contextual, and classrooms are potential sites for the co-creation of knowledge.