Nerds on a Rope

One of the things I love about teaching is the way something as simple as the "Nerds" analogy sparked a really meaningful conversation in my work group. I know Jackie hit the nail on the head, I just can't remember what she said. I do remember thinking that we were held together by our commonalities of teaching and education. Then I realized that may be what has drawn all of us here, but the real sticky stuff is our mutual successes and failures, our struggles, tears and, the best part, the laughter. The bond of the cadre is also a part of the stick factor. We all want to belong to something, and have that something be meaningful. Even though we are not really competing, deep down we want our cadre to just edge out the other by a hair (maybe that's just me). We want out team to succeed, and that means we all get to the end together; and for all of us to finish we will need one another. So now we are bound to one another for this camp, this year, and, for the lucky ones, the rest of our lives.

Fears, Reservations and Hopes

My fears about this year are, of course total and abysmal failure (which I have with most of the projects I undertake) and also the pressures of "getting good grades." I also worry and ask the question, "Am I good enough to finish this and make it a learning experience instead of just a set of classes?" I am also really nervous about the ARP and will I be able to get it done in basically 6 months. I still have my reservations and curiosities about the style of teaching we have experienced so far. It is kind of a culture shock for me as I always went the traditional route of read the book, take notes on the lecture and then be awarded a grade based on two exams. I have never had the freedom to learn basically what I want to and get credit for it. Call me untrusting, but I am; I do have faith in the program and its leadership though.

My hopes are always larger than my expectations- call me skeptical, but I am. I do hope that I forge those relationships, both personal and professional that college is usually about. I missed the traditional experience, and I do not have those from my undergraduate schooling. I also hope that I can really and truly apply what I have learned on whatever campus I am working on. I also hope to be at the forefront of the huge revolution in education that I feel is coming. I look forward to day three and more Lego play.