OK. Deep breath. I just finished my monthly Skype call with my doctoral advisors in Australia. Yes, I am getting my doctorate. And working full time. It has been difficult but satisfying. It's one of the biggest professional challenges I've had to face in my life. Now, I am officially a doctoral candidate. That sounds pretty spiffy, doesn't it? But, it's a lot of work. There are too many distractors. I have a deadline looming for June, so I need to buckle down over the next month. Do lots of reading and writing. It's reading and thinking that's important to me as a professional. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. But, it's still hard work. Sometimes I feel like giving up. Am I a scholar? Really? Me? So, the doubt creeps in and I have to do a lot of self-talk. I push through. Sometimes, my confidence needs a boost. I'm the only one that can do that. It just takes courage, my one little word for this year. So, back to practical ma...
This blog is a place to ruminate on the problems of teaching. If I am thinking thoughtfully, my posts will hopefully raise more questions than answers. By problematizing teaching we reflect on those questions that are constantly behind, in front, and at center of everything we do in the classroom. Feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what other teachers are thinking about on these and other issues. Cheers! Elisa