Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Nov. 20 Literacy

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Facebook friends’ Month of Thanksgiving entries. I’m stealing this from one of them because it’s such a great one. I am so thankful to be able to read! (A special shout-out to my mom for reading to me as a wee one. :) )

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Oct. 1 Learning from Other Writers

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Any time you write, you are inviting scrutiny. Put yourself up on stage to explain the process behind your writing and take questions about it – now that’s pretty gutsy.

Four Pulitzer Prize winners did just that today, and I got to listen in on their conversation. I attended Poynter’s writing workshop in D.C. featuring famed writing coach Roy Peter Clark. I’d been hearing about him for years, and he did not disappoint. The entire day was awesome – hearing veterans of personal essays, humor columns, hard news reporting and op-ed writing talking about their experiences and what they’ve learned. Not only was it journalism nerd heaven, but I also left with tons of food for thought.

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July 20 Mentors

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

I just finished a lame mentorship experience.

I signed up to “mentor” a couple of students who were interning in D.C. for the summer – not with my organization, but through another program. Though I filled out a questionnaire with my career info, to my dismay they did not match me with journalism students. One of them was a chemical engineering major, for crying out loud.

Now, if these lovely girls happen to be reading this, you weren’t the lame ones. I just didn’t know what to do for you, really. We had only a few brief meetings, not that kind of extended life-on-life contact that I believe good mentorship requires. So, it was basically us trying to be as non-awkward as we could be.

I’m thankful to have had some amazing mentors over the years in different areas of life.

Who’s one of your great mentors? What did he/she teach you?

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June 10 Swimming Lessons

Friday, June 10th, 2011

When I was little, my mom made me take swimming lessons for years. Every summer for years. I have no idea how long this went on, actually. But I do know I am a pretty darn good swimmer. So I am thankful for all those summers.

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May 23 History Lessons: Straight from the Witnesses

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

I’m reading a book about Iran-contra. It’s not the best-written book, but it’s not the worst, and I’m reading it because I want to learn about the subject. I can do that because someone who witnessed history recorded it for the rest of us.

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May 10 Good Teaching

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

I dreaded the training class I’m taking this week. It’s on copy editing, and I expected it to be dry and dull. But the instructor is vivacious and the material is very helpful.

We’re focusing on the strange exceptions to all those grammar rules we learned in elementary and middle school. But in doing so, we’re also reviewing all those grammar rules. It makes me thankful for all the good English teachers I had.

And I’m thankful for this instructor, who is making these few days quite worthwhile. Good teaching is priceless.

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May 9 Found Time

Monday, May 9th, 2011

I’m in a training class for a few days this week, so my schedule is a bit different. Today the instructor let us out a little early, giving me the opportunity to run a couple of badly needed errands. Yes!

(Is “found time” a commonly known phrase? Meaning extra time you weren’t expecting?)

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April 14 College

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Samford library as seen from the quad

A college education is a big blessing. Even as we joke about still paying our student loans, it’s worth it for the experiences – academic, social and personal. Tonight I went to a reception for area alumni of my undergrad alma mater, Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama). A graduating senior talked to us a little bit about his Samford experience. My mind wandered back to those dorms, that cafeteria, that newspaper office. Such terrific memories and lifelong friends made.

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