Really not much to add to last year's post about considering New Year Resolutions, so check it out!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
The Students We Nudge
I had an especially hard quarter teaching. The truth is, I was not at my best, and am feeling like I am just now starting find my way back to loving teaching again. I have been doing this half my adult life now (eeks!), and so a bit of a lull might have been inevitable. I am also just coming through some challenging personal circumstances (divorce); I can have a bit of empathy for myself. My writing has been going well; I love my coaching clients. Both give me increased energy toward teaching; I think I am going to have a great term next quarter!
That said, I also had a hard time due to a particularly challenging group of students (not all, but a few!) As I teach social work practice, sometimes I have to "go there" and push students in ways that make them uncomfortable. I have an ethical responsibility to point out to students behaviors and skills that may be an issue for them in practice. My student are going to work with some of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations; I owe it to them to be real! Sure, I could smile and be funny and witty and focus on charismatic lectures and making them happy. What would be of little service to anyone.
I also need to remember that it is sometimes the students who are most unhappy with me who have contacted me, weeks, months or even years later and have thanked me for the push. I remember one student who said it was during one session with a challenging client when my challenging him for some less than culturally competent behavior finally hit home. He sent me a box of chocolates and a nice note as a thank you (and yes, I was a bit afraid of trying the chocolate :)).
Something all us teachers/professors must remember.
That said, I also had a hard time due to a particularly challenging group of students (not all, but a few!) As I teach social work practice, sometimes I have to "go there" and push students in ways that make them uncomfortable. I have an ethical responsibility to point out to students behaviors and skills that may be an issue for them in practice. My student are going to work with some of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations; I owe it to them to be real! Sure, I could smile and be funny and witty and focus on charismatic lectures and making them happy. What would be of little service to anyone.
I also need to remember that it is sometimes the students who are most unhappy with me who have contacted me, weeks, months or even years later and have thanked me for the push. I remember one student who said it was during one session with a challenging client when my challenging him for some less than culturally competent behavior finally hit home. He sent me a box of chocolates and a nice note as a thank you (and yes, I was a bit afraid of trying the chocolate :)).
Something all us teachers/professors must remember.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Blogging about Books in the New Year
In the new year, I am going to be doing some more blogging about books! First, for a couple of weeks, I am going to be writing about "books that make my soul sing." I will share some novels, scholarly works, and poetry books that have made a significant impact on my life.
A couple of weeks after that, I am going to explore how authors who have self published books of nonfiction can move toward writing and publishing their next books with more traditional publishers, including academic and university presses. This transition can mark an important turn in one's career and life.
Stay tuned. Now, back to writing here at Bluebeard coffee here in the Gritty City!
A couple of weeks after that, I am going to explore how authors who have self published books of nonfiction can move toward writing and publishing their next books with more traditional publishers, including academic and university presses. This transition can mark an important turn in one's career and life.
Stay tuned. Now, back to writing here at Bluebeard coffee here in the Gritty City!
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Writing on Saturday
Its a happy day. I spent a few hours in a cafe, writing. Now, in my chair, writing. Soon, will have ice cream for dinner. I will return to more writing. Narrative nonfiction, an autoethnography, and the work on a new book proposal. Then, I will work out for an hour and a half; weights and the bike in a HIIT routine. Yeah, at fifty, still pushing it. Silly man.
Writing. Dogs. Ice cream. Exercise.
I recommend the same. A good way to end the year.
Cheers.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Happy Holidays to All
As today is an important holiday for many of my readers, I will take a break from dispensing writing and publishing advice today.
May your holidays be full of warmth, joy and love. My the light of the universe fill all of your hearts.
May your holidays be full of warmth, joy and love. My the light of the universe fill all of your hearts.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
New Autoethnography
I just published a new article, Autoethnographic Explorations of Researching Older Expatriate Men: Magnifying Emotion Using the Research Pantoum in the journal, Creative Approaches to Research.
For those of you interested in autoethnography, arts based research, poetic inquiry, or other expressive qualitative methods, check it out. For those of you are not so moved by much methods, check it out anyhow!
For those of you interested in autoethnography, arts based research, poetic inquiry, or other expressive qualitative methods, check it out. For those of you are not so moved by much methods, check it out anyhow!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)