Another prompt is due today but once again (shockingly) I am going to be off topic. However, I will write my real post this weekend, promise!

My last two days were spent volunteering for and attending sessions at the DPI Summer Institute.

First things first. THIS HAPPENED:

Katie, Alex, Kristin and I….oh, and Dr. Atkinson!

Oh, you know, just some Kenan Fellows chatting with the state superintendent over lunch! She asked each of us about our projects and expressed interest in each one. She was warm, funny, and down to earth. I hope I got the chance to express to her just how much teachers appreciate all the work she’s done in standing up for us.

Speaking of “I hope I got the chance to express….” I was able to meet up with some of the top people from my county during the county work session for the first time since beginning my externship.

Coming to DPI, I assumed I would be in the position of an ambassador for my school; I would be their voice and their representative. I think I have done a satisfactory job with this by getting out the word of how much I love my school, sharing what makes it great, and making sure to ask all the questions I’ve heard teachers ask.

However, after having members of my county express interest in hearing more about my fellowship, I just realized that when I get back to school, I will also sort of be a teacher ambassador to DPI.

My project goal is essentially one of communication; how to find out the informational gaps and help fill them with information that is helpful for all. (Errrr….I realize that’s kind of a tall order, but we’ve got to dream big, right???)

So: I am realizing now that this project is not really due in March; I’ve actually been presenting it from the first day I arrived at my externship.

I have decided the best way to handle my “ambassador” status is to do a short presentation to my county during the beginning of the year staff development as to what I am doing and why I am doing it. That way I can give some context without having to answer questions I am not prepared to answer yet.

DPI has the back of us Kenan Fellows 500% (everyone from both within the testing department and outside of it has been so willing to help, it’s awesome!), but it’s just as important that teachers back me up too.

DPI fellows, do any of these thoughts resonate with you as well?