12 Down, 14 to go!

12 classes down and 14 to go! (plus 12 weeks of student teaching) I do like taking classes one at a time. I am scatterbrained enough, that this really helps me focus a bit. I’m almost at the half way mark. I will be all finished with my classes by Christmas of 2010 and finished with this degree thing around spring of 2011. I wish I were done now, but it is closer than it was.

So why did I choose University of Phoenix? Well the first reason is that I am so rural. The local community college does have a partnership with Northern Arizona University, so I could have done it through them. But for one, they didn’t like my transfer credits. The biggest reason I decided against them is that it is all evening classes. I decided that three years is just too long to be gone in the evenings with such little kids. Now I am glad that I decided against this route. They need a certain amount of students to begin a program. They didn’t have the numbers, so they won’t be starting another group until fall of 2010; I will be almost done by then.

So I started to look at online options. There are a few, but not as many as you would think. Most online Education programs are for Masters Degrees. There are actually very few online options for Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degrees. Of the 5 I found, in only 2 did I not have to deal with two different schools. Grand Canyon University and University of Phoenix looked to be my best options. University of Phoenix was slightly less expensive and provided me more flexibility if I needed to take some time off. They also took all of my Olympic College credits. So that is why I ended up there.

I am a full time student and the classes are 5 weeks long. This way I can check them off of my list relatively quickly. I finally finished my prerequisites and am in the Education part. The classroom is set up like a discussion board. In order to get credit for classroom participation there is a minimum number of postings required each week on assigned discussion topics; usually from the textbook readings. There are individual assignments and team assignments; usually these are either papers or powerpoint presentations. No typical tests. The team assignments have been the most frustrating for me. Now that I am in the Education core classes, I have found a great team. Since most of the education students take the same classes in the same order we should be able to stick together for a while.

I will be glad when I am done. I am putting a lot of my other interests on hold simply because I do not have the time. Mark Twain said, “I never allow school to interfere with my education.” In a lot of ways I feel that I am putting my education on hold so that I can get a degree. I know it will be worth it in the long run; it is just frustrating right now.

The Call To Brilliance

I wanted to share a book I just finished. “The Call To Brilliance” by Resa Steindel Brown. This is a true story about a small water plumbing company that sponsored a small private school for the children of its employees. These children were able to work on their studies in the mornings and spend the afternoons playing in the neighboring 20 acres of fruit orchard, building zip-lines across the ravine, turning a barn into a theater and so much more.

The author’s oldest son did not read fluently until he was 10. He entered college when he was 13. Her youngest son did not read until he was 11 and entered college at the age of 12. This became typical of all the students attending this school, yet none were ever considered exceptional. They simply allowed the children to explore, find their interests, and soar. They trusted that their children would learn. If trust is not involved teachers have to try to create interest, teach to all the levels of ability and learning styles. They then have to test to see if it worked. None of this artificial prodding was needed in this atmosphere. They trusted the children, and the children responded.

This is probably the most inspiring book on education I have read in a LONG Time. I will be adding it to my list of influential educational books. I received so many epiphanies while reading this book: epiphanies on educational theory, practical application, and vision. I am just blown away. Many of you know that for the last 2 decades I have talked about building a school. I was unsure of what it should look like. Now I know!! I started sharing some of it with Steven. He sat there and listened to me read for about an hour. Now he is excited.

My vision is clearer! My own confidence is greater! I do not think I have ever been so sure that this is what I want to do for me, for my children, and anyone else who wants this too. I see so much more potential than I have before! So siblings and any other interested persons please read this book. Would you like to join me? What do you think? I really want to know. I am looking at this as a practical thing not just theoretical; I want the pros and the cons.

Happy Birthday Steven

Steven is 10 years old. My how time flies!!!