I'll admit it: I'm a masochist when it comes to educating myself. I seek new, exciting, rigorous professional development opportunities because I am a lifelong learner, and I think I have something to learn from everyone on this planet. I am not only working at this wonderful institute, but also I am working on my master's degree right now. In fact, right before I boarded my plane to Arizona, I submitted a twenty-page literature review to my grad school facilitator that I will receive feedback on when I return.
However, yesterday's simulation brought me an entirely new challenge that I was unprepared for. As our group moved from source to source, my excitement waned. At first, I was mildly amused. Then, I tried to take my role much more seriously. By the third source, I knew that there were questions we needed to ask in order to elicit certain responses, but I couldn't figure out what the right questions were. I fell silent as I racked my brain for a question we hadn't asked yet. At the end of the simulation, I turned to a group member and said, "This is giving me a headache."
When we sat down to discuss the information we received, I felt so frustrated that I was reminded of the phrase "HULK SMASH." I have not been a reporter for a decade. I knew I hadn't done well in the simulation. I was disappointed in myself for not being more assertive with my line of questioning. As others spoke up about how much they loved the simulation and could not wait to bring it back to their classrooms, I chided myself for pouting.
I'm here to learn. I'm here to have an experience that will transform me into the journalism educator I know I am capable of being. Part of this experience is facing challenges for the next two weeks. I know I will have moments of discomfort and frustration, but this is how I will learn. I am looking forward to today's challenges because I will take something away from each and every one of them. And I promise not to HULK SMASH the room.
Lisa Biber
Brodhead High School
Brodhead, Wis.
Love the Hulk smash reference!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I don't think there was a single person in that simulation who was not frustrated! I can only speak for myself, but that was one of the most uncomfortable learning experiences I have ever had. I thought everyone else had better questions, and they were making better sense of the information that we had gathered than I was. My confidence dissolved as the simulation went on. By the end, all I could do was laugh and smh. Since that experience, I have had a similar reaction to most of what we have done, but that's OK. You are right, it's time to suck it up, buttercup. We are here to have these experiences and learn from them. If we pout, we lose out on the most important aspects, humility and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteBut, even more important than that, I think the real gem is the reminder that our students go through the same struggles and frustrations. That we need to make sure that we are debriefing experiences for them so that they don't lose the experience in the pouting.
Kristen Morey
Fremont High School
Ogden Utah