Le Journal 5

I want to start this journal entry with the great and amazing news that I finally finsihed TWO chapters in Kolln and almost understood most what was discussed. This is a giant achievement for me so far, and I hope that this newly emerged progress in the name of grammar understanding and application continues.

This week was a good week, in general existence realted matters as well as WC matters. My monday was super busy, and I really enjoyed the faster pace. Jenny was unfortunately ill, and we had to cover her appointments. I ended up taking a walk in and one of Jenny's appointments. They both were grammar correction based, I tried to convince them to make other possible changes but they were both quite unresponsive to any of my suggestions. I wasn't too hurt in that regard, but I understand that during some sessions I will be more of a grammar and punctuation checker and less of an actual tutor. I guess its something we will all have to get used to as we start consulting on a regular basis.

I didn't do any sit ins but mainly held down the fort the other hour I was in the center. Our activity with your 102 students on thursday evening was a blast! Juan was super cool and had an interseting topic and some good questions and concerns and I believe that Sara and I really made a difference in his thinking about this paper. He already had most of what he wanted to discuss figured out and had his interviews all set up, one done, notes, materials and observation time already planned. I believe he'll do excellently on his paper.

Our readings were pretty informative this week, I enjoyed the Dialogue one best. When they discussed the certain philosophies, I was jumping for joy because I am starting my educational philosophy studies in my foundations class and ACTUALLY knew what they were talking about and understanding it all and making the connections and just throughly enjoying myself. The other two readings, The First Five Minutes for setting an agenda and the different important aspects of various papers were good. I didn't exactly enjoy the first two examples in Newkirk's piece but I understood the purpose of all three. I enjoyed seeing a confrence with both student and teacher interaction.

I am starting to really love and appreciate the time and people in the Center. I am learning so much from the veterans and my fellow 303ers, and I am so happy that I have this opportunity. I had a rough week with my foundations of education professor, and will be filing an official complaint against him, but the support I got from not only Zach in my last post but my fellow peers has given me a new zeal of inspiration for the path I have chosen for myself. I really value this experience I am having because it ties in so nicely and neatly with teaching. I have been trying to define both separately; teaching versus tutoring, and its been difficult. Nonetheless, tutoring will help shape my idea of teaching and my philosophy and pedagogy.

During class there was a lot of good discussion, as usual, and I picked up on the point of being more writer centered then paper centered while were in a session. I liked the idea that Melissa stated that revision is seeing the topic from a different angle or POV or perspective. I also enjoyed the reminders about being personable in sessions. I forget sometimes how much I personally enjoy it when someone who is doing me a service or I have an interaction with is happy that I am doing this with them or that they are helping me. Its so easy to fall into a rut where everyone is the same and to just block out the nice-ness aspect of interaction. I am not a GIANT fan of the human race in general but I love seeing people beam when you ask them how their day is going or even just leaving them with a nice comment as they leave the center. It really is the little things that matter most at times. I am going to try and remember to also include some form of this statement, "What woudly ou like to take away from this session?", in all of my sessions so that both the student and I can have an agenda to follow that both of us with be happy with. Also remembering to use a more positively connotated language versus a negative one when dealing with problems in the papers versus concerns. I am not here to demean or guilt anyone about their writing. I am here to help everyone with their approaches to any kind of writing and help them learn.

The meeting was also very helpful today, and I enjoyed having the discussion we did concerning no shows and appointment restrictions. I am going to hold a strong belief that if the students are taking advantage of us as a resource, and not respect us that our resource should not be as readily accesible to them. I don't believe in people getting away with irresponsible or disrespectful behavior. We're all supposed to be adults around here, so let's act like one sometimes, I mean there are appropriate times to not be. :D

Have a great weekend enjoying the crappy weather. =/ I'm not ready for winter yet!