I highly encourage you to take a look at this 10 part series on Catholicism. Several PBS affiliates throughout the nation will air 4 parts this fall...check local listings.
Please watch the trailer...it promotes the series far better than I ever could:
Fr. Robert Barron's Word On Fire - Trailer New
And if you want to read more, check out the interview with Fr. Barron that describes the genesis, production, and intent of the project:
Why Father Robert Barron Filmed 'Catholicism' | Daily News | NCRegister.com
As someone who's gone on pilgrimage to some of these places, I can't wait to watch the series myself!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Fun times
Today we held an all-day seminar for our students on Beauty & Catechesis. I wrote last week that I would have the opportunity to hear Dr. Denis McNamara present on this topic. I had been told that he is a fantastic speaker, and he did not disappoint. We spent three hours defining beauty, then analyzing art and architecture to determine if it truly is beautiful. Up to now I've only been able to identify what I like and don't like, and I've coveted the Dominicans' ability to explain why. Now I think I have a better grasp of the principles behind it...and I wish I'd had this information years ago, because it would have come in very handy! Anyway, his presentation entertained as well as informed...no dry lecture there!
The afternoon session, led by one of my colleagues, focused on how to use art to teach the Faith. Before my colleague began her presentation, she said "I just want to say I'm so happy to have [my name] on staff now." The auditorium erupted with loud applause and cheers, which both embarrassed and pleased me. Just a few minutes earlier, a student (not mine) told me that my students really love my class, and the applause sort of confirmed that. I can't say how encouraging that is for me. I love my students and the material I teach, but the job demands a lot of time and effort on my part and I don't always think I've done a very good job. It's just the "first year feeling," and I know I will improve, but their response encourages me to continue to strive to do better. And on a weekend like this, when I lose planning time and so will need to give up a good part of my "day of rest" to play catch up, it's really motivating to have their applause cheering me on.
During the morning break I circulated among my students and got a chance to talk to some of them outside the class context. Several of them wondered if I am happy I came, which I am. One of them asked if it was hard for me to leave home, and I said yes. I told her that I really miss my family & friends, but that I'm having a lot of fun meeting the challenge of planning new courses. She is taking my Teaching High School class, so she wanted to know how I got the ideas for that class. Honestly, I got the ideas as I drove home from a friend's house one night, before I even accepted the job! I wanted to teach them all the things I wished I'd known before I started teaching...and all the things I learned by success and by failure. She expressed a great eagerness to begin teaching, and it excites me to help prepare her...she's got that natural gift and I know she's going to make a great teacher. And there are others like her!
The next two or three weeks will be really intense for me, as several assignments and tests will need grading, and I will run out of lesson plans in the meantime. After mid-October, things will settle down (sort of) until around Thanksgiving, when we'll shift into end-of-semester mode. I thank you all for your prayers, because I know I am not doing this on my own power, but on His. Nevertheless, in spite of the intensity of the challenges, I am having a lot of fun!
The afternoon session, led by one of my colleagues, focused on how to use art to teach the Faith. Before my colleague began her presentation, she said "I just want to say I'm so happy to have [my name] on staff now." The auditorium erupted with loud applause and cheers, which both embarrassed and pleased me. Just a few minutes earlier, a student (not mine) told me that my students really love my class, and the applause sort of confirmed that. I can't say how encouraging that is for me. I love my students and the material I teach, but the job demands a lot of time and effort on my part and I don't always think I've done a very good job. It's just the "first year feeling," and I know I will improve, but their response encourages me to continue to strive to do better. And on a weekend like this, when I lose planning time and so will need to give up a good part of my "day of rest" to play catch up, it's really motivating to have their applause cheering me on.
During the morning break I circulated among my students and got a chance to talk to some of them outside the class context. Several of them wondered if I am happy I came, which I am. One of them asked if it was hard for me to leave home, and I said yes. I told her that I really miss my family & friends, but that I'm having a lot of fun meeting the challenge of planning new courses. She is taking my Teaching High School class, so she wanted to know how I got the ideas for that class. Honestly, I got the ideas as I drove home from a friend's house one night, before I even accepted the job! I wanted to teach them all the things I wished I'd known before I started teaching...and all the things I learned by success and by failure. She expressed a great eagerness to begin teaching, and it excites me to help prepare her...she's got that natural gift and I know she's going to make a great teacher. And there are others like her!
The next two or three weeks will be really intense for me, as several assignments and tests will need grading, and I will run out of lesson plans in the meantime. After mid-October, things will settle down (sort of) until around Thanksgiving, when we'll shift into end-of-semester mode. I thank you all for your prayers, because I know I am not doing this on my own power, but on His. Nevertheless, in spite of the intensity of the challenges, I am having a lot of fun!
Friday, September 23, 2011
The State of the Classes
Today, as my colleagues and I were lunching with our guest speaker, someone asked me how my classes were going. I immediately began gushing about my "Teaching High School" class. I absolutely love them! I have 14 students, all of them gems, and about 12 of them have wanted to teach since they were 4. There are varying degrees of ability, for sure, but they all look at me with adoring eyes and type furiously on their laptops as I speak. There's an ego trip for you! They ask fantastic questions, too, and I'm so glad that my successes and failures in my high school teaching years can (hopefully) help them to be better teachers.
Not only do I love the students, I also really love how I structured the class to tie in with the assignments...it's working out so beautifully. I started off by teaching several lessons on academics: curriculum and timeline development, writing a syllabus, lesson planning, teaching sensitive subjects, planning assignments, writing tests, addressing special needs students, and more. In a couple of weeks they have to submit a unit which includes all of these components. (Just this week they submitted their syllabus. I made them include policies even though we haven't discussed those yet, and I howled with laughter as I saw them include every doomed first-year teacher policy I've ever heard. They'll be retracting those sooner or later!) When we finish academics, we'll spend a good bit of time on classroom management. Their second unit has to include revisions to their policies that reflect our classroom management discussions. Then we'll discuss student, parent, and faculty relations. Finally, we'll wrap up with some "surviving the first year" tips. It has been so much fun to plan these lessons and watch the students engage with the material. It confirms, once again, my love for teaching!
After I gushed for a few minutes about this class, my colleague observed that I hadn't mentioned the other two classes I'm teaching. Astute observation! I'm struggling a bit with them, which is really good for my humility, and good for keeping me on my toes. I took both of the classes in grad school, and I've been doing what the classes teach for the last 13 years, but doing it and teaching the principles behind it are two different things. I enjoy wrestling with this material...I've always loved being a student, and no one is more a student than a teacher...but I don't feel as confident in those classes as in the high school class. Nevertheless, all of my students are very dear, very fun, and very eager to learn. They thank me at the end of class. Can you believe???
One last thing to share. You may know that I have sort of a hobby of noting the differences between men & women. It springs from my study of Theology of the Body, and when I taught TOB I always enjoyed the conversations and observations that this topic sparked. This week one of my guy students wore a t-shirt titled "Being a Guy Rocks," and I found it so funny that I wanted to share it with you.
Not only do I love the students, I also really love how I structured the class to tie in with the assignments...it's working out so beautifully. I started off by teaching several lessons on academics: curriculum and timeline development, writing a syllabus, lesson planning, teaching sensitive subjects, planning assignments, writing tests, addressing special needs students, and more. In a couple of weeks they have to submit a unit which includes all of these components. (Just this week they submitted their syllabus. I made them include policies even though we haven't discussed those yet, and I howled with laughter as I saw them include every doomed first-year teacher policy I've ever heard. They'll be retracting those sooner or later!) When we finish academics, we'll spend a good bit of time on classroom management. Their second unit has to include revisions to their policies that reflect our classroom management discussions. Then we'll discuss student, parent, and faculty relations. Finally, we'll wrap up with some "surviving the first year" tips. It has been so much fun to plan these lessons and watch the students engage with the material. It confirms, once again, my love for teaching!
After I gushed for a few minutes about this class, my colleague observed that I hadn't mentioned the other two classes I'm teaching. Astute observation! I'm struggling a bit with them, which is really good for my humility, and good for keeping me on my toes. I took both of the classes in grad school, and I've been doing what the classes teach for the last 13 years, but doing it and teaching the principles behind it are two different things. I enjoy wrestling with this material...I've always loved being a student, and no one is more a student than a teacher...but I don't feel as confident in those classes as in the high school class. Nevertheless, all of my students are very dear, very fun, and very eager to learn. They thank me at the end of class. Can you believe???
One last thing to share. You may know that I have sort of a hobby of noting the differences between men & women. It springs from my study of Theology of the Body, and when I taught TOB I always enjoyed the conversations and observations that this topic sparked. This week one of my guy students wore a t-shirt titled "Being a Guy Rocks," and I found it so funny that I wanted to share it with you.
- We can be showered and ready in 10 minutes.
- We get better looking with age.
- We don't stop to think about which way to turn a bolt.
- Wedding dress: $5,000. Tux: $100.
- Our shoes don't mangle, blister, or cut our feet.
- We play with toys all our life.
- We can wear shorts no matter what our legs look like.
- Phone calls are 30 seconds flat.
- A trip requires only one suitcase.
- We can open all of our own jars.
- We get credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
- If someone lets us down, we can still be their friend.
- Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
- We don't get whistled at by construction workers.
- We can "do" our nails with a pocket knife.
- One mood, all the time.
Can anyone come up with a good counterpart to this for the girls?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Rhythms & Routines
A friend asked me recently if I had established a new routine. It's a great question, because my routine is like my security blanket. When school started, I could establish a routine more easily; now that Zumba offerings are more regular my routine can be even more so. I thought you'd like to see my new routine as it has shaped up so far, just to give a feel for my life:
Weekdays:
5am - up & at 'em! Ok, maybe more like drag out of bed & stagger to the shower...
6:30 - Mass & morning prayer time
8am - in my office. I officially hold office hours on Monday & Wednesday from 8-9:30. So far, not too many people have come through, but I have had a few.
MWF - class from 10-11. TR - class from 9:30 - 12:15.
MWF - 11 am is meeting time; no classes meet. And very often there's a meeting of some sort. The good news is that it can't last longer than an hour!
12 noon-ish: lunch!
On Mondays, I hold office hours from 1-3, then work til 5.
On Tuesday & Thursday, I have class from 2:15-3:30, so I try to get some work done before & after class.
On Wednesdays, we have a department meeting from 1-3, and then I work til 5.
On Fridays, I work as hard as I have the energy for til 5:00.
MTWRF 5pm: Quittin' Time!
Home for dinner and some housework (I don't know why it takes so long to clean this little house, but it does), then usually more schoolwork before bed.
Two nights a week and once on the weekend I go to Zumba. I don't like to spend my weekend exercising, but the best classes meet on the weekend.
I realized it works well for me to get groceries on the way home from Zumba. I drive right past Wal-Mart and Krogers; my brain has already switched off for the day (so I wouldn't be good for much schoolwork) but my body is still going (so I have the energy to zip through the aisles and grab what I need).
Weekends:
On Saturdays I work almost the whole day. I was used to putting in a couple of hours on Saturdays, but I tried to keep the weekends fairly open. I'm not crazy about working six days a week on a regular basis; I keep hoping that it's a first year practice and my weekends will free up again.
Friday & Saturday night I try to do something fun & social - go to a party, have dinner with a friend, call someone from home.
And Sunday is my day of rest. I read, take a nap, watch a movie, garden...let my little introverted self recharge for the week. The lack of dishwasher prompted me to switch to using paper plates on Sunday; now I find it really nice to just reheat my food and then throw that plate away. No cooking; no cleaning. I love it.
I feel like I've hit the rhythm as far as planning lessons and teaching and getting to meetings goes. This week the first round of papers comes in, so I will have to get into a new rhythm. I told a friend that it's like juggling: first you juggle a couple of things, then you add a third, then a fourth.... So I've learned to juggle planning and teaching, next we'll add grading. Then, once I'm over the grading hump, we'll add advising. (Yes, I get to direct the students in their course choices for next semester and make sure they graduate on time...why didn't I pay more attention when we did this at the high school??) I do hope I don't drop anything important!
Two great pieces of news this week. First, several faculty and staff have told me they've heard that my students really love me and are buzzing about my classes. I'm so glad. I already love them too so I'm glad it's mutual. Of course, once I start grading their papers things may change! But it makes me really happy to hear they enjoy the class, the material, and me. It makes the hard work worthwhile.
Second, I got my teaching assignments for next semester. I anticipated teaching four different classes: two repeats from this semester and two new ones. I felt really apprehensive about that: this semester I have three different classes, which has been quite overwhelming, so to have four preps (two entirely new preps, plus working on the two I've only taught once) would be even more so. But today I found out I'll only have three different classes again...like this semester...and two of them are repeats. What a relief! One of the repeats will be Teaching in a Catholic High School, and if early indications tell us anything, I will have a larger group next semester than this one. The other repeat will be Content & Curriculum, but I'll teach it on the graduate level, so I anticipate more work to do on that course. The third class, which I will teach twice, is Methods I. I will still work very hard next semester...but at least I think I can manage it. Four preps? I wasn't so sure.
And hey, get this: I get to say what days & times I want to teach the classes. Whoa!! THAT's a perk, let me tell you!
So I'm hitting my stride, and while that will be interrupted a bit as I add new duties, I feel more confident that I will in fact conquer this, and that I can conquer next semester too. Thanks be to God!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Opportunity Knocks
I love college! There is always something exciting going on, unfortunate only in that you don't have time to take advantage of every opportunity offered. Just this weekend I had to miss out on the campus showing of the movie "Of Gods and Men," which I've wanted to see since its release this spring. Sigh. Another time.
Anyway, this Saturday affords me the fantastic opportunity to hear Dr. Denis McNamara of the Liturgical Institute at University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary present to our students on the topic "Beauty and Catechesis". I've heard wonderful things about Dr. McNamara, whose PhD dissertation bore the intriguing title "Modern & Medieval: Church Architecture in the United States, 1920-1945." Since I am about to teach my students how to "read" art and architecture, I'm really jazzed to hear from one of the leading experts on the topic firsthand.
On top of that, I've just been invited to co-host him on Friday for lunch and a look around at Church architecture in the Big City. What an amazing opportunity to get a private tour from one of the best tour guides around!
The opportunity poses only one drawback: I'll have to give up two full days when I would normally plan lessons like mad. It's well worth the investment, for it will enrich my understanding and ability to teach the topic - but I hope I don't waste the opportunity by worrying the whole time about how I will finish everything "I should be doing right now".
I'll let you know how it goes!
Anyway, this Saturday affords me the fantastic opportunity to hear Dr. Denis McNamara of the Liturgical Institute at University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary present to our students on the topic "Beauty and Catechesis". I've heard wonderful things about Dr. McNamara, whose PhD dissertation bore the intriguing title "Modern & Medieval: Church Architecture in the United States, 1920-1945." Since I am about to teach my students how to "read" art and architecture, I'm really jazzed to hear from one of the leading experts on the topic firsthand.
On top of that, I've just been invited to co-host him on Friday for lunch and a look around at Church architecture in the Big City. What an amazing opportunity to get a private tour from one of the best tour guides around!
The opportunity poses only one drawback: I'll have to give up two full days when I would normally plan lessons like mad. It's well worth the investment, for it will enrich my understanding and ability to teach the topic - but I hope I don't waste the opportunity by worrying the whole time about how I will finish everything "I should be doing right now".
I'll let you know how it goes!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
"God bless America...
...Land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America - my home sweet home
God bless America - my home sweet home."
Charms & challenges
In any new adventure, one can expect ups and downs, joys and struggles, charms & challenges. Especially as the newness wears off and one begins to see a fuller picture of the reality of the present, certain aspects become more apparent than they were before.
My adventure is no exception. I knew from the beginning that the first year would present exciting new opportunities and difficult struggles. I thought I'd share of few of each with you, as they have unfolded thus far.
Charms:
- At Academic Convocation, the new VP for Academic Affairs presented his credentials and past experience as a one-time political science prof, including papers on topics like "Global Terrorism." He supposed we might not think that work prepared him well for his present position, but he just wanted to inform all the students tempted to cheat on a test or plagiarize a paper that he is well versed in interrogation tactics. (He did shift gears to give a very inspiring exhortation to take advantage of all the University offers.)
- While all of the profs, including some former teachers, warmly welcomed me to the faculty, dear Dr. X (will I EVER bring myself to call him by his first name?) made a point to join my lunch table conversation during in-service. It was delightful for him to reach out that way to establish collegiality...and completely in character with how I know him.
- I've been going to Mass on campus at 6:30 am. Every single weekday I'm surrounded by 250-300 college students who just rolled out of bed and threw on their sweats, but whose wholehearted participation in the Mass (at the crack of dawn) inspires and humbles me. Wow.
- I can drive to work in less than 4 minutes. I can drive to Kroger's in about 3. Less than 10 minutes to Wal-Mart and the mall. It takes 20 minutes to Zumba, but with some great views of the country. I walked to a party last weekend in under 10 minutes. This means I can go some 18 days before I have to refill my gas tank. Cha-ching!
- The native population hails primarily from Italy and Poland, and many immigrated themselves or are children of immigrants. Even apart from the students (who come from all 50 states, 50 foreign countries, and 6 continents), I find myself in a real treasure trove of multiculturalism. The most recent example: The seamstress I found, an Italian native in her 80s, loves to regale me with stories of the old country while she fixes my clothes. I know every member of her family intimately...even though I've never met them. And the exchange I witnessed between her and her husband about answering the phone could have come straight from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Hilarious!
- I look forward to my classes, and especially to seeing my students. I find that I'm on familiar ground in the classroom...so much resembles teaching high school. But I must say: I LOVE that I don't have to say to the students "Write this down." I just talk and they write. Amazing.
Now for the challenges:
- Lessons, lessons, lessons! Who has time to do anything else? It seems that all the time between classes would be quite a luxury for planning. But I've definitely stepped up a level (or two) in content, and all the background reading takes quite a bit of time. After this week, assignments will start coming in for grading. May the good Lord multiply my time, especially once that happens!
- I get the sneezies every weekend after the coke (as in, steel by-product) plant fires up. This is not pleasant. Combined with the advent of fall allergens, I can be a respiratory basket case on weekend. I may need to explore that allergy shot option again.
- My new house is smaller than the one I just moved out of. So how come it takes 3 times longer to vacuum?!?!
- The kitchen. I must limit my word count on how challenging the kitchen is. The only thing good I can say about the gas stove is that if the power goes out, I will still be able to cook dinner. The cabinets don't shut all the way, and if they do, they pop right back open. The drawers don't roll out, they pull out...and don't push all the way back in. That leaves sawdust residue in my dishes in the cabinets below, necessitating that I wash them (again) before using. I only have the counter space to span two cabinets. I don't have a dishwasher (I've decreed that Sunday is paper plate day). How on earth did anyone EVER cook in here?! It's not ugly...it's actually quite charming visually...but it is not functional. I'm already planning and pricing a renovation if I buy the house next summer.
- Missing the folks back home - family & friends. I hope all of you are well. I think of you often! Thank you for your notes & emails. I really enjoy getting the news.
My new adventure continues to excite me and as difficult as the challenges can be, I find myself stimulated as I meet them. I know I'm growing in spite of - or probably because of - the struggles. I remain convinced that God called me here, that I am where I'm supposed to be, and that alone makes this all worthwhile.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Calling all gardeners!
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| They say "leaves of three, let it be" but I can't tell if this one falls in that category. Is this poison ivy/oak/sumac? |
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| Here's another shot - it's all over the garden. I'm also worried about the 5-leafer under it - to the left in the photo. |
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| I doubt it's poisonous, but is it a flower or a weed? |
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| This plant is tall & stalky. Flower or weed? |
First week - check!
I conquered the first week - by God's grace and the prayers of many, many people. Thank you so much to all of my prayer warriors! I could not have made it without you.
Convocation was held Monday, followed by the opening of school Mass. Our new Vice President for Academic Affairs delivered the convocation address, and gave us a little background on himself and his vision for the University. Before coming to the University he taught political science, including diplomacy, democracy, and terrorism at University of Illinois. He quipped that such a background might seem irrelevant to his present position, but that if students contemplated cheating or plagiarizing then they should know he is well-versed in interrogation tactics.
Classes began Tuesday. I was very nervous (although I was spared the dreaded back-to-school dreams), but my students are wonderful, passionate, friendly, and attentive. Or so they seem after two classes! Three classes met on Tuesday, and by 3:30 (the end of my last class) I could hardly hold my eyes open. Only one class met on Wednesday, but all week I've struggled with exhaustion. I hope that after I get the first two or three weeks under my belt that I'll manage my energy a little better.
The class that comes most naturally to me is "Teaching in a High School Classroom." Sixteen students are enrolled in this class, two more are sitting in, and several others have begged me to offer it again next semester. On the first day, I invited students to introduce themselves and tell why they are taking the class. I giggled to myself as about 13 of them said they've wanted to teach since they were little (just like me!) and they're in the class to learn how. Only a few of them said they weren't sure about teaching and they were hoping the class would help them decide. I think I will really enjoy that class - I feel relaxed and in my element there.
The other two classes challenge me more, though in an enjoyable way. I teach two sections of a class called "Content & Curriculum." In this class students learn how to present Church doctrine. They write some lesson plans and get their first try at writing a short curriculum. The class very systematically analyzes the doctrine. "Systematic" is not exactly my middle name, so while I really enjoy this material I am challenged by how to present it!
The other class I teach is Methods. I am more comfortable with this material; it is a small class and they will be doing presentations the entire second half of the semester. If I can just make it to October 20...
I love my students and love my colleagues. Everyone has warmly welcomed me and placed themselves completely at my service. I'm enjoying being back on campus amid the buzz of college life. I've seen a few of my former high school students on campus and that's helped ease some of my homesickness.
My biggest challenge at this point is time. I set for myself the goal of planning one lesson per day. Then I realized that (except for the "Teaching High School" class) I can't plan a lesson in one day. There is too much background reading to do, too much material to manage. Then I realized that I have 7 different lessons to plan per week. Then a colleague mentioned that he will have 1600 pages of grading to do this semester, not counting midterm & final exams. "Oh no," I thought. "I didn't count how many pages of grading I even assigned. I only know I have 7 assignments per class. That's 28 assignments. From 66 students. And 28x66 is higher math that I'm afraid to calculate. I only know that I'M NEVER GOING TO GET IT ALL DONE! AAACK!" (Visualize me freaking out. Go ahead. You can do it. You've all seen it before.)
This morning I had to give myself a good talking to, and remind myself that the goal of the first year is to survive. I had to pray and be reminded that "I can do all things through Him that strengthens me." And He showed me that, in a way, I am walking on water - and I will not sink as long as I keep my eyes on Him rather than the human impossibility of this task.
So please continue to pray for me! And please know that you are not far from my thoughts or prayers. I know I haven't been in touch with some of you since I moved, and I am sorry about that. I miss you, and I hope to touch base with you soon.
Right now, I'm going to go walk on water.
Convocation was held Monday, followed by the opening of school Mass. Our new Vice President for Academic Affairs delivered the convocation address, and gave us a little background on himself and his vision for the University. Before coming to the University he taught political science, including diplomacy, democracy, and terrorism at University of Illinois. He quipped that such a background might seem irrelevant to his present position, but that if students contemplated cheating or plagiarizing then they should know he is well-versed in interrogation tactics.
Classes began Tuesday. I was very nervous (although I was spared the dreaded back-to-school dreams), but my students are wonderful, passionate, friendly, and attentive. Or so they seem after two classes! Three classes met on Tuesday, and by 3:30 (the end of my last class) I could hardly hold my eyes open. Only one class met on Wednesday, but all week I've struggled with exhaustion. I hope that after I get the first two or three weeks under my belt that I'll manage my energy a little better.
The class that comes most naturally to me is "Teaching in a High School Classroom." Sixteen students are enrolled in this class, two more are sitting in, and several others have begged me to offer it again next semester. On the first day, I invited students to introduce themselves and tell why they are taking the class. I giggled to myself as about 13 of them said they've wanted to teach since they were little (just like me!) and they're in the class to learn how. Only a few of them said they weren't sure about teaching and they were hoping the class would help them decide. I think I will really enjoy that class - I feel relaxed and in my element there.
The other two classes challenge me more, though in an enjoyable way. I teach two sections of a class called "Content & Curriculum." In this class students learn how to present Church doctrine. They write some lesson plans and get their first try at writing a short curriculum. The class very systematically analyzes the doctrine. "Systematic" is not exactly my middle name, so while I really enjoy this material I am challenged by how to present it!
The other class I teach is Methods. I am more comfortable with this material; it is a small class and they will be doing presentations the entire second half of the semester. If I can just make it to October 20...
I love my students and love my colleagues. Everyone has warmly welcomed me and placed themselves completely at my service. I'm enjoying being back on campus amid the buzz of college life. I've seen a few of my former high school students on campus and that's helped ease some of my homesickness.
My biggest challenge at this point is time. I set for myself the goal of planning one lesson per day. Then I realized that (except for the "Teaching High School" class) I can't plan a lesson in one day. There is too much background reading to do, too much material to manage. Then I realized that I have 7 different lessons to plan per week. Then a colleague mentioned that he will have 1600 pages of grading to do this semester, not counting midterm & final exams. "Oh no," I thought. "I didn't count how many pages of grading I even assigned. I only know I have 7 assignments per class. That's 28 assignments. From 66 students. And 28x66 is higher math that I'm afraid to calculate. I only know that I'M NEVER GOING TO GET IT ALL DONE! AAACK!" (Visualize me freaking out. Go ahead. You can do it. You've all seen it before.)
This morning I had to give myself a good talking to, and remind myself that the goal of the first year is to survive. I had to pray and be reminded that "I can do all things through Him that strengthens me." And He showed me that, in a way, I am walking on water - and I will not sink as long as I keep my eyes on Him rather than the human impossibility of this task.
So please continue to pray for me! And please know that you are not far from my thoughts or prayers. I know I haven't been in touch with some of you since I moved, and I am sorry about that. I miss you, and I hope to touch base with you soon.
Right now, I'm going to go walk on water.
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