I’m going to need to change this prompt a little. We have been asked to write today about connections we can make between our externship and our classroom curriculum. Due to the nature of my externship, I know it will have a monumental impact on me as a educational professional, but in a different way.
I’ve never worked in an office environment. Ever. Therefore, my first week at DPI was really hard: sitting down all day! Being in charge of my own progress and goals! Meetings! Talking quietly! And did I mention sitting down all day?
My invention to avoid neck pain caused by looking down at my tablet all day. Several office mates have contributed test reports to make my pile higher.
After my first day, I saw my summer shaping up about like this:
And then it started getting really cool.
No matter what your personal political perspective is, anyone who follows our state government right now is aware why this is a fascinating time to be working right next door to the legislative building. When they are in session, I get to walk by state Senators and members of the House on my way in to work. I’m even allowed to eat in the cafeteria in that building (but haven’t gotten up the guts yet to go). And, of course, on Mondays, the weekly protests are right in between me and where I park.
On the lawn of the legislative building on the way to my car.
I never used to be interested in state politics, but being so close to it has made me realize how extremely important it is to us, especially in terms of educational policy. Now I can’t get enough.
How does any of this relate to me as a professional? Well, maybe it doesn’t, but it’s really cool so I wanted to write about it anyway.
Now on to what the prompt actually is: in just a few weeks, this externship has “grown” me.. Here are some things that I now do that I never thought I’d do:
1. Through the meetings generously set up by my mentor, met many of the top people in state assessment and curriculum….and they asked for my opinion!!! And I gave it!!! And they were interested!!!
2. Started setting up my OWN meeting/s
3. Reserved conference rooms for the meetings I set up (fancy!)
4. Understood how to write effective office e-mails (surprisingly nuanced), the power of cc-ing my mentor on them (quite powerful), and how to get help from very busy people
5. Learned how to do (quasi) scientific RESEARCH design for my project, which is impressive since I usually won’t touch math or science with a 10-foot pole
6. Figured out that I can contact my county, convince them that I have something important to say, and get a county-wide professional development spot when we get back to school
7. Wear business clothes (the most shocking change of all)
When I get back to school, my skills here will help me be a more confident professional. I think I have good ideas but have never been a self-promoter, so those beyond my department aren’t really aware of them. My new knowledge base will help me come in to school well versed in how educational decisions are made at the state level and how they are passed down to schools. I also want to help other teachers understand how this information can give them power and influence in their own schools and beyond.
Maybe I will be a (*gasp*) leader.