Although this will not be my final blog post, it will be my final blog post as a student in the ADL program, I find myself very emotional. If you haven't gathered how transformational this process has been for me then hear it now. I have grown through every difficult step in this program. Every time I had an assignment that I resisted it 100% of the time changed my brain chemistry. This experience (although difficult) has been the best educational journey of my life. I want to say again that this is only the end of the first chapter of what I plan to do to engage my students in their learning from the place that they are comfortable. That has meant that I have been incredibly uncomfortable most of this process. My growth-mindset brain has been recharged and now I feel very capable of being a leader in the educational process instead of a follower. I have finally had the great privilege of finding a very dynamic and hardworking group of collaborators in these last 2 semesters. Although my biggest regret is that I couldn't have started with them earlier. Last semester I joined a TEAMS group with Audrey Purcell and Francys Machado who have now graduated but also included Maria, Rose, Samara, Mia, Amburgh, and Anna. This was a well-established group but they have let me join and been a great support as I have finished out these semesters. A live meeting along with ongoing dialogue happened during the semester. Although I know the ADL program was designed to start and continue with the same group, I have been moving through at a slower pace which I mentioned has brought some challenges but also some great insight as I have had so many people with eyes on my work. I will say that this program has given me so much confidence that have become an excellent collaborator within my own organization. By far, the leaders in the group are Maria and Samara but I do feel like I contributed to the group and they certainly welcomed me. I have stayed in touch with many of my former collaborators that have now graduated so I hope to keep in touch with this new group also.
Due to my own teaching schedule, I could not actively participate in the synchronous meetings but I did watch all videos and communicate with my group members. Since I am a chatter by nature, I am always a little down that I can't be there to contribute in those long awkward pauses where Dr. H. is waiting for someone to respond. I learned in semester 1 and 2 that even though my contribution was typically not what he was wanting, it is still the best way to learn. "Failing Forward" is my new mantra in absolutely everything I do. I did post timely in the discussion board and circled back to give feedback. I have overall been amazed at the breadth and depth of knowledge that these educators have especially since I learned within my collaboration group that I shared many of the same fears and insecurities as others. My biggest challenge has been APA citations above and beyond the requirement; however, I am continuing to improve every semester. I know that is still an area of growth ahead. I feel like I met all the the key contributions and supporting contributions although I have examples of excellence all around me. Due to the strong leadership of my group, I would give myself a 90/100 which is the highest score I have given myself in this entire program. I would give myself a 100/100 if I was evaluating my new found ability to collaborate within my organization.
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