Last night was the big project defense...
I am beyond thankful for my Graduate Advisory Committee and their involvement and willingness to walk with me through my graduate program journey. With their approval, I have been given the green light... on Mother's Day I will be graduating with a 4.0 from the MEd in Cross-Cultural Studies program from the University of Alaska Fairbanks!
Some quotes from my committee members:
"This was not over-romanticized. It is very compelling."
"Your willingness to step out of your comfort zone regarding the use of technology is to be commended. It is quite parallel to your project, actually."
"You have manifested. You have identified challenges and you are passing your learnings along."
"The challenges of living and teaching in rural Alaska were presented in a subtle and sophisticated way. I appreciate the portrayal."
"All rural Alaskan schools need this."
...music to my ears! Thank you my lovely, awesome GAC for your feedback and approval!
Thank you so much to all of my friends, family, and colleagues near and far! Your support, encouragement, and love has lifted me when I needed it most. Yesterday's 20 minute defense turned into an hour long presentation... me?... a talker? :D It was awesome to be able to defend what I have been so passionate about and to wrap up this project, which has really documented my four years in Chevak.
Even better, I was able to celebrate with my honey, while the sun shone down on us. Not much is comparable to having a strong and loving support network. It makes anything and everything a little more tolerable. This girl is BEYOND ecstatic, thankful, and appreciative. Maybe it's about time I take a little break from school...
Cheers! XO!
Misty Dawn
Showing posts with label achievements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label achievements. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Taking On Challenges
I wasn't sure whether to title this blog "Taking On Challenges" or "Facing Your Fears"... but, both seem fitting.
As I sit here in my little Chevak apartment, jamming out to music... I am just being in the moment. It dawned on me that I have faced a few challenges this year, that involved facing some fears. It is SUCH a good feeling to look back and see that I have not settled for stagnation, which is what it felt like at times.
In February I presented for my fourth time at an early childhood conference. For the past two years, I spoke on the same topic using the same slides. This year, I felt challenged to step out of my comfort zone and switch it up a little. It was scary. It caused some anxiety. But, it was AWESOME! I had such a wonderful group and received some great feedback... I walked away being so thankful that I chose to take the risk!
This year I was also approached by an acquaintance to host an artist here in our school for a couple of weeks. I was delighted and thrilled to think that our kiddos could have a visitor and an extra-curricular activity different from what they are familiar with. However, this required grant writing... a new territory for me. As I went through the steps, I was nervous and there were a few hurdles... at times I wanted to let it go and say, "Maybe next year." But, I didn't. We had a wonderful artist who was patient and so helpful... and, in the end, our kids got to experience some new and fun art in the classroom. I still have some post-paperwork to complete, but am so glad that I didn't give up.
And, most recently... I have completed my grad school project. I am so silly when I think about it. You see, I always deem myself as very tech-illiterate (I know, funny seeing as I am a blogger). For my grad project, rather than writing a thesis, I chose to create a video project. This was ALL about technology! Lol. In my proposal, I wrote about the possible technical difficulties I might encounter with my project and I was dreading this aspect... I could have changed my mind and gone with a paper (and, I almost did!), but I pushed through. I knew what my passion and vision were, and I tried to take it one step at a time. I still have a few steps left before I can say that I am finish with grad school, but I can CLEARLY see the finish line from here!
As it turns out, I took a leap in my love life, as well. I have a really great guy in my life who I get to love and who loves me a whole lot in return. I remember reading a quote that talked about how if you don't let go and put your whole heart into it, you just might miss out on something amazing. Well, I have decided that this love thing is well worth the risks. It might cause some hurts, you might only be with someone for a season, or you might find your life partner. In any case, as the old adage goes, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." I love loving and I love being loved. Super thankful that I have taken this risk...
I have such a sense of relief. And, I am taking this moment to just be in the moment. I am thankful.
Cheers to taking risks!
Misty Dawn
As I sit here in my little Chevak apartment, jamming out to music... I am just being in the moment. It dawned on me that I have faced a few challenges this year, that involved facing some fears. It is SUCH a good feeling to look back and see that I have not settled for stagnation, which is what it felt like at times.
In February I presented for my fourth time at an early childhood conference. For the past two years, I spoke on the same topic using the same slides. This year, I felt challenged to step out of my comfort zone and switch it up a little. It was scary. It caused some anxiety. But, it was AWESOME! I had such a wonderful group and received some great feedback... I walked away being so thankful that I chose to take the risk!
This year I was also approached by an acquaintance to host an artist here in our school for a couple of weeks. I was delighted and thrilled to think that our kiddos could have a visitor and an extra-curricular activity different from what they are familiar with. However, this required grant writing... a new territory for me. As I went through the steps, I was nervous and there were a few hurdles... at times I wanted to let it go and say, "Maybe next year." But, I didn't. We had a wonderful artist who was patient and so helpful... and, in the end, our kids got to experience some new and fun art in the classroom. I still have some post-paperwork to complete, but am so glad that I didn't give up.
And, most recently... I have completed my grad school project. I am so silly when I think about it. You see, I always deem myself as very tech-illiterate (I know, funny seeing as I am a blogger). For my grad project, rather than writing a thesis, I chose to create a video project. This was ALL about technology! Lol. In my proposal, I wrote about the possible technical difficulties I might encounter with my project and I was dreading this aspect... I could have changed my mind and gone with a paper (and, I almost did!), but I pushed through. I knew what my passion and vision were, and I tried to take it one step at a time. I still have a few steps left before I can say that I am finish with grad school, but I can CLEARLY see the finish line from here!
As it turns out, I took a leap in my love life, as well. I have a really great guy in my life who I get to love and who loves me a whole lot in return. I remember reading a quote that talked about how if you don't let go and put your whole heart into it, you just might miss out on something amazing. Well, I have decided that this love thing is well worth the risks. It might cause some hurts, you might only be with someone for a season, or you might find your life partner. In any case, as the old adage goes, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." I love loving and I love being loved. Super thankful that I have taken this risk...
I have such a sense of relief. And, I am taking this moment to just be in the moment. I am thankful.
Cheers to taking risks!
Misty Dawn
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