I finished my paper!

Ahhhh! What a relief! I finally finished my journal article!

This past weekend was the November Conference in La Crosse. All of the ME-PD students from around the state gathered to learn new things and support each other. Last year, I was a very nervous and somewhat confused 2nd semester student in the program. This year, I am a 4th semester student and was able to help the 1st through 3rd semester students with their action research/journal article questions. It felt great to help others.

With just one weekend left (December 5th and 6th), I am busy putting the finishing touches on my e-portfolio. As I look back, I’m amazed at how much I have accomplished. It’s been a tough, but rewarding journey.

I have attached a copy of my journal article, in case you would like to see it. The journal article, literature review, and portfolio (including the PDP) are the three big projects in the program. A detailed timeline is distributed, which is helpful to most. I, unfortunately, am a procrastinator by nature and was not real good at sticking to the proposed deadlines. I was still able to get everything done, though, and it has all been WORTH IT! 

Final Journal Article – Deb Noennig

 

I love my facilitators!

If you read my last post, you know that I’ve been struggling lately. I have been “running on empty” for the past several weeks and haven’t had much (if any) time to work on graduate work.

Last weekend, I had to tell my facilitators that I STILL wasn’t done with my paper! I feel terrible about this. It’s not that I’m being lazy, I really just don’t have enough time in a day!

They were so understanding, supportive, and kind! I felt so much more relaxed all weekend and much less stressed in general because of their reaction. I know I’ll have a little time this weekend and a lot of time next weekend to finish. I appreciate their patience! They’re SO awesome!

I’m still alive!

My only fear, when starting this program, was that I wouldn’t have enough time to get everything done. I have struggled with this from the beginning and actually contemplated dropping out of the program after one semester. I am relieved that I decided to stay in the program, but still really struggle with finding the time to complete my work!

This fall has been hectic. I have 2 very active kids, ages 11 and 12. My husband just started his first year as head football coach at Hartford Union High School, so he’s rarely home. I volunteered to coach my daughter’s volleyball team because otherwise there wouldn’t be a team. My son is in youth football, so I am busy carting him around. We are trying to sell our house, so I’ve been dealing with house showings and open houses. And, to top it off, I’ve been dealing with some annoying health issues. EEK! Oh, I forgot to mention that I also teach full-time.

So, most days I feel like there isn’t enough time to breathe, much less do homework!

I have to keep reminding myself that I’m on the homestretch! I will be finishing my journal article tonight and my PDP and portfolio will be completed by the November Conference. I just have to keep chugging along.

On a brighter note, my school year has been going GREAT! I have one 8th grade health class, five Geometry classes, and a study hall. I have totally changed the way I teach math as a result of what I’ve learned in this program and it is working FABULOUSLY!

So, while I struggle to find the time to do the work required for this program, I will never regret my decision to start! It is a lot of work, but definitely worth it. I have learned so much and have used what I’ve learned every day in my classrooms and buildings.

I will post my journal article as soon as it is approved, in case you would like to read it.

Having FUN! Weekend 16 out of 20!

Nothing like a little dead, frozen fish toss to start the weekend!

A little kissy for the fishy!

We do actually work sometimes… it’s not all dancing and fish tossing!

Oh, the FUN!

I can’t believe we are meeting for our 17th weekend on Saturday! I have a lot of work to do yet, but I feel motivated to finish. I am looking forward to presenting my finished products to the members of the other Learning Communities at the November Conference in  La Crosse. It’s a great feeling to have accomplished so much!

I just applied for GRADUATION!

We just finished our 16th weekend (out of 20)! I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel! One of our tasks was to apply for graduation on the University website. What a great feeling!

Here’s how I would describe each semester of this master’s program…  Imagine you are a passenger on a roller coaster.

1st Semester: You have just waited in line with anticipation and nervousness. Should you go on this ride? It seems like a scary and possibly painful ride. Just as the ride approaches and the gates open, you decide to GO FOR IT!

As you plop down in the seat and fasten your belt, you notice that your heart is pounding, your breathing rate has increased, and a sense of excitement has overcome you. Will you like the ride? Is it going to bang your head back and forth? Will you make it to the end? Will it be fun?

As the ride starts, you realize that there is no turning back. You hope it will be a great experience! The beginning of the ride is very mild. There are no huge climbs or drops, twists or turns. It is a pleasant start to a seemingly frightening ride.

Semester 2: OH BOY! The ride is becoming a bit more wild! There is a huge plummet called the “literature review.” There is another twisting curve called the “PDP.” These are the scariest parts of the ride. Your head gets jarred back and forth and you wonder if you will be able to hang on. After enduring this excitement, however, you decide it wasn’t as bad as you thought.

Semester 3:STILL MORE EXCITEMENT! Now the coaster is flipping you upside down! What’s next? The loop-the-loop, called “action research” has just made your heart race. Then, there is another big drop called the “portfolio” and yet another twisting curve called the “journal article.” These seem to come at you all at once, one right after the other. You wonder if you will make it. Is the end near?

Semester 4: AH! RELIEF! The ride is near the end. The drops, curves, and loops have ended. The ride becomes really quite calm again. You can’t believe that you actually made it through the rough parts of the ride. You are proud of yourself that you decided to go on the ride in the first place! Because of this ride, you now feel more confident to get on other, even more scary rides.

As you feel the ride coming to a stop, you unbuckle your belt, rise up, and exit the ride. You feel a sense of satisfaction, pride, and relief. You suddenly realize that the ride, which at times was unnerving, was also very FUN! There is a big smile on your face as you walk down the exit ramp. You wonder which ride you will choose next.

This weekend starts my 4th and final semester of the UW-LaCrosse ME-PD Program!

I have set up this blog to share my experiences in the UW-LaCrosse ME-PD Program to give you an idea of what the program entails. I can finally see the “light at the end of the tunnel;” I will be graduating in December. It has been a long, but beneficial journey and I would do it again, without hesitation. More to come…