Word Refresher
Yup. It’s my third blog of the day. There is nothing I like more than a HAT-TRICK of blogs. Blogging is a great way for me to get back into the writing mode. It’s also an excellent opportunity for me to reflect (in essence, “journal” with the world). Anyway, I also blog to engage in the practice of writing and hope that some of what I have to say resonates with someone out there who have the same lessons to learn as I do.
Today was a beautiful sunny day on the Sunshine Coast. It almost felt like summer but it’s only April. 1/3 of the “new year” is now complete. Where did the time go? Oh man… it’s time for a 2016 WORD REFRESHER. When I was in Prince Rupert on my 2-week spring break with my ‘little family’ in March… I totally forgot my 2016 word. I had to look it up. Thank goodness for blogs. Scroll back… ahhh yes, it’s ALIGNMENT.
What does the word ALIGNMENT mean to me? It means authenticity, feeling good, wholeheartedness, and being vulnerable. It also means doing what’s right for me. This would entail saying YES to some things and NO to others. Normally, I am a YES person. Unfortunately, I would have too much only my plate (some may not aligned to my purpose) and very little accomplished. This was a tough lesson to learn.
My purpose is education related… but what about education? I’m still figuring this out. Yes, I am a math educator, school trustee, and doctoral student. What do all of these things have in common? STUDENT LEARNING and STUDENT SUCCESS. That has always been my primary focus. Some may call this advocacy, others may call this teaching. For me, it’s finding a way to promote this in the best way I can.
For now, I am focused on my dissertation. It’s been an 8-year journey. Wow. I even hate saying that, but I know I’m not alone in saying this. I have always struggled with my reading and writing skills ever since I was a small child. I hate reading and writing. There. I said it. Admittedly, it’s not my favourite thing to do and I’m terrible at it. Can you hear my inside voice? So why not write a dissertation? Am I right?
Isn’t that what’s life is suppose to be about? Facing adversity… Learning life’s lessons… and doing something about it. Well, I never thought I would pass English 100… and I did. I never thought I would complete my degree in Chemistry… and I did. I never thought I would get into the Faculty of Education… and I did. I never thought I could complete a Master of Education degree… and I did. Do you see a pattern?
We can be so consumed by self-doubt and uncertainty that we can never realize what we are able to do. I never thought I would be accepted into the EdD program… and I was. I never thought I would pass the coursework… and I did. I never thought I would pass the comprehensive exam… and I did. It took me a whole year after I completed my comprehensive exam for me to say to others that I am an EdD candidate.
The pattern continues… I never thought that I would get my research question… I never thought that I would do quantitative research… and I never thought that I would find anything interesting in my research that would add anything to the discipline. Boy, was I wrong AGAIN. Maybe my pedagogical journey is about proving myself wrong. That seems purposeful. Apparently, I am doing a great job at it.
Each day I am reminded of my 2016 word and my job is to recognize it and seize the opportunity. What I know for sure is… I have to believe in myself. I was reminded of this at #Edvent2016 with the last speaker. His story was absolutely amazing and all it took was the words of one individual (his daughter) who believed in him. That’s all it took. “Yes you can, Dad” motivated him to move forward and do the impossible.
I really get that. Right now, my supervisor is my cheerleader. I know that I have many cheerleaders and I am grateful, but for some reason the encouragement and patience from my supervisor seems to make all the difference for me. “Awesome”… “great job”… and “excellent” add fuel to my fire. Also, working with him as his research assistant also boosts my self-confidence and sense of self-efficacy. I can do it.
Now, I am at Chapter 5. I never thought this was possible, yet here I am. One step at a time… the willingness to try… accepting feedback… and feeling validated moves me forward. I am thankful for where I am. I never thought that I would be where I am today. ALIGNMENT. I am on the right track. I love what I am doing. And, I trust that I will finish my dissertation and defend this summer in preparation for what’s next.