Self:
Summer Institute has impacted me in more ways than I can probably realize myself right now. I have realized many things as a writer, one of which is that even my revised best can be improved with the input of other writers, who look at my work with fresh eyes. When my writing group has read my poems, my deep revision piece and letters to demonstrators, they have made suggestions that either prompted me to improve my work or led me to realize that what I originally wrote is what I wanted on the page.
Sacred Writing is what I have loved the most, because I have been inspired through writing from my heart to think of things that I had forgotten. I have explored my own mind and have reaffirmed beliefs, as well as discovered new ideas. I have learned about the hearts and minds of other writers in the class, and they have become precious to me. When we share our thoughts, our hearts become linked. Through Sacred Writing our consciousness of each others’ humanity is made more real. I have deep respect for my fellow teachers here. Each one brings their own unique and special talent. In this process I have learned to appreciate all teachers who are striving to become better at leading those they teach. Most of what I have written for this E-Portfolio has begun in some way in Sacred Writing, and I have learned to let it percolate, and then revise, wait, get the advice of peers, and then revise more for an almost finished piece. I have also learned that if I abandon a piece, I have done so for a while. After time, I can consider it some more, just as I continue to reinvent myself as a teacher. I always want to learn more, become better, and become more aware of how to better reach the students I teach. No other experience has ever helped me do this as much as Summer Institute.
Thanks to Summer Institute, I will be a far better teacher. My students will benefit for the rest of my career. This has been the most beneficial educational experience I have ever had to make me a better writer, teacher and to reflect on how to be a better human being. I needed to learn the technology, and I knew that. What I was not aware of was the extent to which I needed to learn new teaching techniques, practices and applications of technology. I have learned to use writing far more effectively to help my students explore their minds and to learn German. My students will keep a journal in German. In the beginning, it will be a list of words, but even that will make the language real to them and something concrete that they know, not just something that I have talked about. The most passive of them will have words in front of them. As Kathy has quoted, writing is the concrete evidence that cognition has taken place. If they write daily in German, I cannot imagine how they could not learn more than if they do not. Also, by a weekly sharing session, every student will read their own German words. I have learned so much that will benefit me as well.
In becoming a part of the group here this summer, I have gained a deeper appreciation for all teachers everywhere. We truly are in a noble profession. A former colleague once said to a teacher who had made fun of her when she enrolled in a class, “You know, Andrew, the difference between you and me is that I know that I need to improve.” Those of us here have made a conscious decision to become better writers, better teachers and better people.
I cannot imagine a better avenue than Writing Project’s summer Institute.
