Course Description:
This course is an exit requirement for all Master of
Education students in the course-based route. This course is designed to engage
graduate students in a scholarly analysis and synthesis of knowledge in their
field of study, and, therefore, should be completed at the end of the program.
Fall 2020
Reflection:
MY LAST COURSE! I can't believe I am actually at this point. When I began this journey it seemed like getting my Master of Education would be nothing but a pipe dream. How would I fit it all in with everything else I had going on in my life? It feels a bit surreal right now and I am almost holding my breath as I wait to see if I actually "finish".
I am actually very grateful that I am enrolled in this fall session. I am not sure why, but I had just assumed that when I was ready to take my last course, that there would be room for me in the course. You can imagine my shock and disappointment when I finally registered and saw that I was on the wait list! SAY WHAT? I was shocked and heartbroken. (There was the possibility that I would be moving schools in the fall so was waiting until the "spring shuffling" was done before committing to taking this course.) ACK! I didn't realize that I could have registered and then dropped it if needed. Anyway, shortly after deciding that this fall may not be the best time to take the Summative Seminar due to the craziness of COVID-19, Ina called me to tell me that I was in! WAHOO!! I was ecstatic and worried at the same time. Could I add this to my plate with all of the additional work required as a single administrator? Of course, that's what I do. I work best under pressure!
When first looking at the syllabus for this course, well in advance of taking the course (of course!), I must admit that when I read about the portfolio requirement for this course, I was a bit annoyed because I thought it was just a "make work" project. However, after completing it, I now see the value in this labourious task. Once again, it is about the introspection.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed looking through each course binder and reviewing previously submitted assignments in order to choose one for reflection purposes. As I looked back at my papers and the feedback provided by my professors, the enormity of this undertaking and learning hit me. Wow, I am pretty darn impressed with myself!
I had to do a double-take when I received an email from BU telling me that I was the recipient of a scholarship. I hadn't applied for one so I was taken by surprise.
Feeling very curious about this windfall, I had to look up the award to see how I came to earn it, and make sure there wasn't an error. This is what I found...
I have no words. I was absolutely speechless. Thank you! This gave me the determination to continue to put my heart and soul into this final course.
I've just finished our first Zoom class for this course - whew, I can feel a bit of weight being lifted off of my shoulders already. Thank you Jackie for the positive presuppositions about all of us being able to do a great job and to not stress (although of course I will!). I look forward to learning with and from my new group of peers. We are all in this together.
I am looking forward to hearing from other people in the Ed. Admin stream since I think their presentations will be very relevant to me, but I am also excited to hear from the Inclusive Education program because that is where my heart lies. I am intrigued to hear the presentation from the Curriculum and Pedagogy and Guidance and Counselling streams because they are areas I have yet to explore.
I am thankful that I was able to complete most of this portfolio over the summer because this fall has already required an overwhelming about of time and energy. I look forward to dedicating my remaining time to my proposal and presentation.
Choosing the focus of my proposal has given me some grief. I was leaning toward continuing my path of exploring an improved method of teacher supervision and evaluation in my division. After researching more articles on the topic, I felt my heart was not really in it. I think it is because I would be proposing something that would be for someone else to implement. I want to propose something that I can be responsible for following through.
Reflecting on what is happening in my building at the current time, I realized that the work that I have already started this year on Collective Efficacy would be a great topic to present and write about. As we navigate through this pandemic together, we all feel like we are building the plane while flying it and everyone feels incompetent. I work with amazing people and I want them to know that we can accomplish anything together.
This portfolio is my chosen assignment for this course!
No comments:
Post a Comment