Research?

Greetings,

The Teaching Analysis Seminar class had a boat load of reading this week:

Book--17-56

Study 1--45 pgs

Study 2--30 pgs

Study 3--8 pgs

Study 4--10 pgs

All of this reading was to illustrate this one lesson: Teachers become experts through expereince and a willingness to continue learning.

I believe I could have learned that lesson after the first 50 pages of reading...or maybe I had a similar idea before the reading! Ah well, I have a new book to start Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed or Teachers as Cultural Workers: Letters to Those Who Dare Teach. Both options for a book review due in the class. They are both challenging reads both in my technical understanding and my current practice; however, I think that there would also be a great deal to learn there as well.

Blessings,

Happy New Year!

Greetings!

Happy Chinese New Year! The sign of the Ox is a sign of power through prosperity and fortitude. The Franciscan sisters held a supper to honor their sisters from China to celebrate! The sisters remembered their community history in China. The community had been built up to 23 Chinese sisters as well as several Amercian sisters. When communism took hold, the American sisters were put into camps. The Chinese sisters were given two choices; they could either leave the community and stay in China or leave the country to stay in the community. Amazing...

The supper started with Chinese song and prayer lead by the remaining sisters from China. Before the meal was served there was one more element of celebration...Firework Sparklers In The Dinning Room! WhooHoo! The fireworks were followed by soup, pot stickers, egg rolls, pork stir fry, dessert dumplings, and fresh fruit! A great meal shared with some wonderful women.

Blessings,

A Tidbit from Class

Greetings,

The Prof. in my "Teacher as Leader course" brought this song from Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim to our first class and read it to us. I thought it was a wonderful reminder of our role as teachers, mentors, or parents.
"Children Will Listen"

Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
"Listen to me."
Children will listen.

Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take--
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Carful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you....

Careful the tale you tell,
That is the spell.
Children will listen.

Library Lesson Learned

Greetings,

I love the library...it is a wonderful place to read, sip a cup of coffee in a non-spillable cup, and review notes over assignments or lectures. However, I learned a very difficult lesson at the library today.

I went to campus early to sink into one of the library's comfy chairs and finish some reading for my night class. After reading, I decided it's never to early to get a jump start on the 25-30 article literature review for another class. I sorted through abstracts about mentoring and teacher induction for about an hour and a half. By this time I had "marked" approximately 20-25 articles as possible items. I clicked print preview to make sure all the neccessary citation and abstract information would print...all was good. Next, I clicked on the button to indicate front- back printing (save the earth)...and the page reverted to my general search page. I lost the last 90+ minutes of work and eye strain. I tried "undo", I tried "go back", I tried silent prayer to St. Jude...no success.

I shut the computer down exited very quickly stage left and called Kara. She was very understanding (thanks Kara!) and helped me laugh a bit. I shook off the bad karma with a cup of coffee and a stroll around campus. It was above zero, the sun was peaking through the clouds, and the snow was still pretty. By the time my evening class rolled around, I was back in good spirits.

Oh yeah...the Lesson...print first and save the earth tomorrow! (But don't tell the Franciscans!)

Blessings,

Cattle & College Kids

Greetings,

I was striding down the sidewalk to Joan of Arch when I noticed some tracks in the snow. Students had deduced the route of least resistance and had made their own paths through the snow. As a kid, I would follow the cattle paths on my Grandfather's farm since they were the easiest way up a hill or down a creek bed. I wonder if these college kids know they have this engineering gene in common with cattle? They cut between buildings and through the center of the 'green' slicing seconds or feet off the sidewalk route. Mind you...they are cutting through snow...I wonder how wet or cold feet figure in the equation?

Blessings,

School work and Snow showers

Greetings,

School has returned with pages to read and online chats to compose. I've met with all my professors and the courses seem interesting. Dr. Scanlan teaches the Teacher as Leader course and has an energy that is readable even over the internet page! His first assignment was to set up a phone conversation or face to face meeting with him. I set up an office meeting...it was a hoot. He asked alot of "Benedictine" questions and is encouraging my research direction for a leadership project in the class.

The Analysis of Teaching course also contains quite a bit of research and project development. I will be covering at least 20-25 articles for a literary review. My saving grace is that the third class Introduction to Research is a bit softer. There are actual midterm and semster tests, but the 'big' project is a 5 article literature review (hmmm, I do think it will be on the same topic as the one for Dr. Whipp's course). The course centers around learning how to find and determine the usefulness of research. I feel more confident about this.

I have had one setback and warning if you will...don't do pilates and scoop snow on the same day. After several days of self treating my lower back pain, I finally went to the doc. Lower back spasms are mean. I was treating them correctly, but he recommended some assistance with muscle relaxers and a more powerful pain medication. Finally, my back is starting to 'loosen' up a bit. However, I think I will postpose the pilates and buy a pair of long-underwear so I can go walking in the outdoors!

Blessings,

More from the Mission

Greetings,

Fr. Richard had different themes for Tuesday's Teaching & Preaching. I'm summerizing and editing down to what I found interesting.

Teaching: Aquinas' Cardinal Virtues are all about balance and moderation (stolen from Aristotle). Prudence balances judgement and decision without making a rash choice or waffling for eternity. Temperance balances the needs and wants of worldly goods without becoming a glutton or living in total denial. Fortitude balances the use of strength and power without bullying or giving up. Justice must live in a balance of right relationship in giving and recieving what is due.

Preaching: What is the cost of becoming the Beloved? Accepting the invitation to become the Beloved only costs our own ego. In accepting the call, we lay aside ourselves and live as Christ in the world. What is the cost of denying God's invitation? A life of dissatisfaction rooted in struggle. He had alot more words to go around the idea, but I think you can do without the infomercial explanation he gave of God's Grace (I could see Marielle cringing).

Blessings,