The quarter ended quietly. Weeks of working on the internship and suddenly it is over. I did not accomplish everything I had wanted to. So, I have spoken with my mentor Robin and we will begin an independent study to put the course I have been developing into Haiku or Instructure Canvas .I will only go for two credits Spring quarter and two during the Summer quarter to finish it. I am certain there will be a lot of work to do, even though much of it has been developed during the past six months in the internship.
I need to work on one weakness I discovered in my last interview with Michael my internship coordinator. Apparently, I do not develop my sentences enough and it often seems like I am criticizing my instructors. I was not aware I was doing this. Certainly this was not my intention. I will need to monitor myself to make certain I am not doing this when I speak with my learners online. I am somewhat critical in my overall thinking and want to see the good things that have been done; but, I want to be able to comment appropriately on those things that may need some work. The most any instructor can hope for is that the suggestion moves the learner toward improvement and not recrimination.
I believe time may be running out for me. I need to teach and must find a way to do this. I have to admit I am moving into unchartered waters. Since I do not want to teach in a classroom, most local community colleges might not want to hire an adjunct online instructor without teaching experience. I may have an obstacle in front of me, I cannot jump over or maneuver around. I suppose only time will tell. I still have to work on trying to get another teaching assistantship as an internship, where I am allowed to teach online. I know I need that experience. I am hoping by Fall quarter I have something lined up. This time I am considering something in Political Science. My major field was international relations and politics with an emphasis on national defense issues. Nevertheless I think I could teach a basic introductory course.
I will need some work on my resume, curriculum vitae and my ePortfolio. I need to have all my ducks in a row. An interview may be quite different from anything I have experienced before. I am certain I will be asked a lot of questions that I need to be ready for. Maybe, the Women’s Center at Bellevue College can help me with this part of my journey. I need to secure the funds for the internship, independent studies and with the Women’s Center. With Curt about to be laid off and my unemployment ready to expire, I really have no idea where the money will come from.
I will soon find out if chasing a dream and WOW Factor leads me to a dead-end or whether I will get the opportunities I am seeking. I know I have been chasing this dream for a while. I hope it is not a waste of the federal government’s and state’s money. They have been kind enough and generous enough to provide me with the funds I need to get the training. I know Ginney To, my contact at Worksource in Renton, has worked very hard to give me this opportunity with the federal funds allotted to her. I would hate to have to report to her that I have failed. I had thought my best shot was Bellevue College. So far, I was given an excellent opportunity to design curriculum. It is time I asked them to give me an opportunity to teach. Once I have this experience, I can seriously start putting my resumes and curriculum vitae out there. So keep your fingers crossed for me. I am hoping others ( veterans, seniors and those with disabilities) will follow in the tracks I am making. College change at the “…speed of cement” and not when we need them to. Some of this is good and some of it creates a lot of havoc for the students. I keep hearing the pleas of the younger generation about to hit the academic scene. We need to get them where they will have to go!
JOYSTECHTOOL 