I wasn't willing to leave a school and job I love if I wasn't going to be able to return. During the application process I met with our assistant superintendent of human resources and school principal to make sure that I would be welcome back after a one year leave of absence. REASON 4: I have "particularly favorable" school colleaguesĪs I return to teaching, I am so glad that I will be returning back to a system, school and department that have been so supportive of me leaving for a year.
It's been a pleasure to get to know each of them and I look forward to the social media tracking and "real life" reunions we are sure to have in the future.
We were able to learn together, laugh together, challenge each other and grow together, professionally and personally. We are a group of twelve math and science teachers, brought together to experience a year out of our norm, collectively working toward improving STEM education for the kids in our classes and in our nation. There were moments of this fellowship in which I felt "out of place", but as the definition of monachopsis states, I was able to "huddle in the company of other misfits". Thank you, Mom and Dad.īeing in a relatively isolate fellowship position, without the hustle, bustle and vibrancy of a classroom, without the chitter-chatter of the science department lunch table, without the pressure of planning daily lessons and balancing too much grading with not enough time - I was feeling out of place, out of my "intended habitat". From editing my application essays to filling their garage with our moving boxes, my parents are both emotionally and practically supportive of this adventure. Their support of me throughout the fellowship has been no exception. I am so very appreciative for all of the "gifts" (not tangible) my parents have given me throughout my life. Thank you, Carrick.Īs Curtis and I raise an only child, I can't help but think of my parents and what it was like for them to parent me, also an only child. The time has been a gift and I've loved spending it with our kid. There is no doubt in my mind that one of the best parts of this year has been the chance for Carrick and I to spend so much time together without the distraction (for lack of a better word) of school commitments and/or social lives. There have certainly been moments of frustration for him, but overall he's displayed a real sense of adventure and openness to new experiences. I know I was asking a lot of a kid to leave the comfort of school, friends, team and routine to move across the country and be plopped into a new habitat. Even though he's "only" 13, Carrick has (at moments) been wise beyond his years. Maybe there is something genetic, but our son Carrick has been equally as supportive. It's been a super busy work year for Curtis, but even when he's not home we take time each night to talk about the best parts of our days. The Einstein Fellowship was no different he supported me and our little family throughout this crazy time moving across the country, learning a new town and moments of feeling isolated or lonely. He doesn't balk at my chances or immediately think of the hassle to him personally. Over our 24 years together, Curtis has always been the first to say "do it" when I mention a new challenge or opportunity. REASON 2: I have a "particularly favorable" family.Įveryone who knows me knows that I married to the most supportive, wonderful person. Thank you Jan, and others in the DOE Office of Workforce Development of Teachers and Scientists, for your part in making my fellowship year a success.
In hindsight, I can also say that the DOE placement also matched well with my other top strengths: harmony, discipline, input and achiever. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites. According to the Gallup Character Strengths analysis we completed at the beginning of the fellowship, my #1 character strength is LEARNER, meaning that I have, “a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. It’s the opportunity for learning that was “particularly favorable” for my attempt to flourish while in DC.
Pasco smart timer longest recordable time professional#
Within the DOE I had the time and opportunity to both feel like I was making a meaningful impact towards a successful National Science Bowl while also being able to explore my own learning and professional growth.
While DC is not currently a “particularly favorable environment” for me politically, my specific fellowship placement was “particularly favorable” for me personality. REASON 1: I've was in a "particularly favorable" (see definition of flourish) fellowship placement.
0 kommentar(er)
