I am not a poet, so when my grad teacher asked us to write a narrative or poem about creating open networks I decided to start with a haiku and then explain my intentions in a narrative. How badly can I mangle a haiku? Here it is.
As a new teacher:
Reconnect with old classmates
then compare methods.
I was not a typical four-year degree student. I completed some classes in the mid-90’s then returned to Arcadia to finish my 4-year degree almost 20 years later in 2014. As I was taking the undergraduate math classes that would fulfill my BA in Mathematics I befriended two graduate students who were completing their secondary math certifications: Randell and Ted. Because of my age and my friendship with Ted and Randell it was often assumed that I too was a graduate teaching student… how prophetic those assumptions turned out to be! I have not spoken to either in a few years, so my idea is to reconnect with them via e-mail and pick their brains. Since they are three years ahead of me (career-wise) I figure that their firsthand experience will help me navigate some of the unknowns I am bound to encounter. As former friends and classmates I believe that they will be more willing to answer questions and offer advice. Since our friendships are already established, I think they can supply unique insight into the particulars that secondary math education requires. In return I will offer to provide information regarding connected learning best practices. Hopefully this can be my first step towards creating my own support community. (3 thirds of a learning circle?)
Thanks for reading,
Eric L
Love this idea Eric! Thanks for the great haiku 🙂