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Celebration

Today's blog is a little celebration for myself. I hope you will bear with me.

Last night I had an amazingly encouraging Skype conference with my doctoral advisors in Australia. I am doing my EdD online through a university in Adelaide. I did a lot of research before deciding on this program and I am very satisfied with the guidance and support I've received over the last few years.

After last night's conversation, I can truly see a shadow of a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's a bit dim. I have made more progress in the last six months than I have in the last couple of years. I still have some revisions and additions to make to my literature review, but that is an ongoing process. I have been working on the ethics application which has been more involved than I could have ever imagined. Very educational; I've learned a lot in the process.

I wouldn't be honest with myself if I didn't recognize that it's really hard to do a doctorate and work full time. Now, everyone will say that, but only having lived through it can I truly appreciate how challenging this whole process has been. And, I'm not yet done. I still have my field work to do which, if all goes well and time allows, I will start before the school year is over. But the bulk of my research will take place during the 2016 - 2017 school year. So excited!

I am very pleased that I have gotten this far in my doctoral program because there were many occasions where I questioned myself about what I was doing. I even went as far as questioning whether or not I was capable of doing scholarly work. There were many weeks where the only time I could find to do my research was on the weekends often cutting into precious family time.

I have had the support of my entire family, but particularly that of my two oldest daughters who have lifted me when I was down and wouldn't let me give up. Without them, I wouldn't have made it this far. Although I still have a ways to go, I feel more confident and capable of what I can accomplish. My topic - teacher professional autonomy, collaboration and learning - is very important to me. I am hoping to make a contribution to the field. I'm on my way!

Cross posted to Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Challenge, Day #31.
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