Me Manifesto
Have you heard of the 30 Goals Challenge for teachers? Starting on January 16 and continuing through April, teachers are challenged to complete a series of 30 goals. The first goal was to write a "Me Manifesto." According to Wikipedia, a manifesto is "a public declaration of principles and intentions.” I could have written a book on my principles and intentions. I began writing my "Me Manifesto" about 100 times, but I was never satisfied. It was verbose, littered with cliches, and I constantly changed my mind.
I'm sure you've seen these ecards floating around the Internet. One thing I'm consistent on is my love for technology. So I wanted to write my manifesto on something that had meaning. I also love humor. I enjoy having a good time. In addition, I'm a professor in the Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design department. Fashion should be fun! It isn't brain surgery. There are no lives in our hands. So we can goof around, explore, innovate, fail, and try again.
So I wrote my "Me Manifesto" on these ecards that often depict humorous (and yes, sometimes vulgar) phrases. I condensed my chapter book of a manifesto into three short phrases:
Rise to the challenge - why are we so scared to be challenged? Why must things come easy to us? A read somewhere that students often feel smarter when something is easy. Isn't that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? I intend to challenge my students. If I'm not challenging them, I'm not teaching them.
Use your imagination - look at how things are. Imagine how things could be. I believe things can always be better. Whether we are discussing fashion, life, or learning, the key is to exercise your creative muscles, and imagine a new way of being. Question everything.
Expect more - so you rose to the challenge? You imagined a new way of being? Go the extra mile, do something extra. Impress me. Expect more of yourself, expect more of others. Avoid complacency.
So there it is. My manifesto in a nutshell. I still have the urge to write an epic tale of my principles and intentions. But before I could finish writing I'm sure my mind would change. This is the core of my being. This is how I live my life. This is my manifesto.
What am I really after?
At our first book club meeting, Maggie asked us to write down one thing we really want to get out of this book. (Reminder…we are reading “What the Best College Teachers Do” by Ken Bain.) She asked us to reflect back, as we continue reading the book, and ask ourselves, “Am I getting out of the book what I hoped to get out of it?” “Has what I wanted to get out of the book changed as I continue reading?” She encouraged us to blog about our thoughts. So that is exactly what I’m doing.
At the first meeting, many of my fellow IU faculty mentioned that they were born skeptics. One person when so far to say that most academics are skeptics, that skeptics are even drawn to academia. I am not, by nature, a skeptical person. As I typed that last sentence, I suddenly doubted myself and had to take a moment to Google “skeptical.” In case you’re curious, the definition of skeptical is as follows:
skep•ti•cal/ˈskeptikəl/
Adjective: 1. Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. Relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.
Nope, I’m not a skeptical person. I am easily convinced. I’ve only read the first two chapters of “What the Best College Teachers Do” and I’m totally convinced that the six conclusions that Dr. Bain outlined will work to improve teaching. At least for some people. I’m willing to give it a shot. Even it doesn’t work for me, I will still believe that it worked for someone. Perhaps my lack of skepticism comes from my age. I have no doubt that I’m the youngest member of this book club. I don’t have the years of experience that sometimes leads my fellow professors to dismiss ideas and suggestions for improving teaching. Some might call this naivety. I prefer to call it my advantage.
But back to Maggie’s question: What do I hope to get out of this book? I hope to learn the strategies of the best college teachers, practice those strategies, and eventually develop habits that will improve my teaching. Sure, I dream of someday being recognized or referred to as one of the best college teachers, but mostly I just want to be the best college teacher I can be. This is my first year teaching, so there really isn’t a better time to start.
And lucky me! Chapter one outlines six strategies/characteristics of the best college teachers. They are:
1. Know your subject extremely well
2. Treat all elements of teaching, including lectures, discussion sections, problem-based sessions, as serious, as demanding and as important as your research and scholarship
3. Expect “more” from your students
4. Create an environment where students are inspired to “grapple with ideas”
5. Reflect a strong trust in students
6. Develop a system to assess your own teaching efforts and to make appropriate changes
Suddenly I don’t feel so “lucky.” As a first-year teacher (and a teacher who hasn’t been taught to teach, mind you) I’m overwhelmed.
At the first meeting, many of my fellow IU faculty mentioned that they were born skeptics. One person when so far to say that most academics are skeptics, that skeptics are even drawn to academia. I am not, by nature, a skeptical person. As I typed that last sentence, I suddenly doubted myself and had to take a moment to Google “skeptical.” In case you’re curious, the definition of skeptical is as follows:
skep•ti•cal/ˈskeptikəl/
Adjective: 1. Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. Relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.
Nope, I’m not a skeptical person. I am easily convinced. I’ve only read the first two chapters of “What the Best College Teachers Do” and I’m totally convinced that the six conclusions that Dr. Bain outlined will work to improve teaching. At least for some people. I’m willing to give it a shot. Even it doesn’t work for me, I will still believe that it worked for someone. Perhaps my lack of skepticism comes from my age. I have no doubt that I’m the youngest member of this book club. I don’t have the years of experience that sometimes leads my fellow professors to dismiss ideas and suggestions for improving teaching. Some might call this naivety. I prefer to call it my advantage.
But back to Maggie’s question: What do I hope to get out of this book? I hope to learn the strategies of the best college teachers, practice those strategies, and eventually develop habits that will improve my teaching. Sure, I dream of someday being recognized or referred to as one of the best college teachers, but mostly I just want to be the best college teacher I can be. This is my first year teaching, so there really isn’t a better time to start.
And lucky me! Chapter one outlines six strategies/characteristics of the best college teachers. They are:
1. Know your subject extremely well
2. Treat all elements of teaching, including lectures, discussion sections, problem-based sessions, as serious, as demanding and as important as your research and scholarship
3. Expect “more” from your students
4. Create an environment where students are inspired to “grapple with ideas”
5. Reflect a strong trust in students
6. Develop a system to assess your own teaching efforts and to make appropriate changes
Suddenly I don’t feel so “lucky.” As a first-year teacher (and a teacher who hasn’t been taught to teach, mind you) I’m overwhelmed.
Winter Break Reading List
Over the winter break I began reading for fun again. I always find time in the summer to read but somehow during the school year I rarely make time for reading for pleasure. In an earlier post I mentioned that I found it difficult to get my mind off of work, even when I was at home. I discovered that reading for fun was an easy way to get my mind more in the moment. I take an hour or so to read a good book and suddenly I'm more relaxed, not stressing about what needs to be done for work, and I can focus on my family. Here is a visual list of the books I've been reading.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck was given to me as a Christmas gift. I've only read about half of it, but I really love it so far. It is unlike any other book I read over the break. It is very descriptive, takes my full attention, and is truly beautifully written. I can't wait to finish this book, but it definitely isn't a book that can be rushed through.
I recently joined a book club as part of the PEO chapter I joined in Bloomington. Our first book of 2012 was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I never would have read this book on my own, so I'm already glad I joined this book club. It was an amazing (true!) story about a woman whose cells continued living long after she passed away and made significant contributions to science.
I rarely pick up books that a part of a series because I have a difficult time committing to a set of characters for an extended time period. But I had heard so many good things about The Hunger Games that I could no longer avoid reading it. In addition, I always prefer to read the books before I see the movies and the movie is set to come out this spring. I had no regrets reading this book, it was fantastic. And I was not ready to end my "relationship" with the characters, so I'm glad there are still two more books!
East of Eden by John Steinbeck was given to me as a Christmas gift. I've only read about half of it, but I really love it so far. It is unlike any other book I read over the break. It is very descriptive, takes my full attention, and is truly beautifully written. I can't wait to finish this book, but it definitely isn't a book that can be rushed through.
I recently joined a book club as part of the PEO chapter I joined in Bloomington. Our first book of 2012 was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I never would have read this book on my own, so I'm already glad I joined this book club. It was an amazing (true!) story about a woman whose cells continued living long after she passed away and made significant contributions to science.
I rarely pick up books that a part of a series because I have a difficult time committing to a set of characters for an extended time period. But I had heard so many good things about The Hunger Games that I could no longer avoid reading it. In addition, I always prefer to read the books before I see the movies and the movie is set to come out this spring. I had no regrets reading this book, it was fantastic. And I was not ready to end my "relationship" with the characters, so I'm glad there are still two more books!
Finally, I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Again, I was pushed to read this book because the movie was set to come out over Christmas. Although I wasn't quite as enamored with this book (it was slow in the beginning) I'm glad I read the book before seeing the movie. I'm not as eager to read the second two books in this series, but I probably will eventually. I can't believe I started two trilogies in one month! That is so unlike me!
I'm always on the look out for new books to read! What books would you recommend? What books are on your list to read?
IU Plaid Contest
I'm excited to announce the next phase of the IU Plaid Contest! Last semester, SIFE-IUB (Students in Free Enterprise at Indiana University - Bloomington) invited students currently enrolled as undergraduates to enter designs into the Official IU Plaid Contest. We received over 25 designs! For more information about the contest, click here. The SIFE student group narrowed down the selection to the top 6. Those top 6 designs were sent to a select group of judges consisting of:
3 alums of the Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design department at Indiana University, Bloomington:
- Michael Ping, Project Manager, Kohl’s Department Stores
- Amy Levin, Founder/Creative Director, College Fashionista
- Jessica Quirk, Personal Style Blogger, What I Wore
2 representatives of the College of Arts and Sciences:
1 representative of the Bloomington, IN community:
- Judith Rose, Textillery Weavers
These fantastic judges chose the top 4 designs which are now available for online voting. Anyone associated with Indiana University (including alums, current students, parents, faculty, staff, etc.) or even anyone who just likes plaid is invited to vote for their favorite design. Help us choose the Official IU Plaid that will be licensed and trademarked through Indiana University. Visit the Official IU Plaid Website.
Which design is your favorite?
3 alums of the Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design department at Indiana University, Bloomington:
- Michael Ping, Project Manager, Kohl’s Department Stores
- Amy Levin, Founder/Creative Director, College Fashionista
- Jessica Quirk, Personal Style Blogger, What I Wore
2 representatives of the College of Arts and Sciences:
- Kirstine Lindemann, Senior Assistant Dean and Director, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jean Robinson, Executive Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
1 representative of the Bloomington, IN community:
- Judith Rose, Textillery Weavers
These fantastic judges chose the top 4 designs which are now available for online voting. Anyone associated with Indiana University (including alums, current students, parents, faculty, staff, etc.) or even anyone who just likes plaid is invited to vote for their favorite design. Help us choose the Official IU Plaid that will be licensed and trademarked through Indiana University. Visit the Official IU Plaid Website.
Which design is your favorite?
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