This is where my Spring '99 Refelection Paper will be.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 1999

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Reflection Paper Scott Fitzsimmons May 1999 Cohort III

The year has passed by quite rapidly and a variety of topic areas were covered throughout the season. It is my intent within this paper to reflect on the highlights which I felt have effected me in some way, whether good or bad. I will attempt to point out those areas which have caused me to think, learn, or question.

The first thing that comes to mind is the actual cohort model itself. To me, this model has served me very well. The fact that so many different people, all from a variety of locations, occupations, and age levels has proven to be quite beneficial to me. Because of this wide array, I have learned much from the simple acts of observing, listening, and conversing with many representatives of the group. I am constantly reminded of the fact that there is more than one way to skin a cat. Just when I think that I understand an issue, someone usually throws in a different twist. Another benefit of the cohort model is the length of the program. Instead of rapidly scrambling through a traditional college course, cohort members are able to settle in and get comfortable. Many may think that this is a downfall. After all, if people get too comfortable, their bound to get lazy. I dont see this as being the case here. I see the longevity as being an asset in that it allows the cohort members to get to know each other on a deeper level allowing for much more interesting and meaningful learning experiences. With thirty five plus members enrolled in our cohort III group, these learning experiences can and have ranged anywhere from enjoyable and enlightening to down right frustrating and hopeless. But it is because of this very thing, that this cohort model remains attractive to me. It allows the entire spectrum to shine through.

Through the progression of this first year, we were given many different opportunities to explore various areas. Some of these areas included lectures, professional books, cohort discussions, journal readings, and personal projects. The majority of the fall semester was comprised of a string of presentations and lectures from a series titled The Toxic Child. Overall, I felt that our cohort group spent too much time attending these presentations. I did not feel that we needed to attend all of them. To me, after awhile, much of the content presented within the series began to overlap and follow a common theme which could have been grasped by attending a select few of these presentations. However, I cant say that I walked away from the series with nothing gained. Not quite. There were some topics which caught my attention and stuck with me more than others. I will briefly share some of my thoughts and responses to those issues which seemed to stick.

Ben Wolfe, a grief counselor from St Marys Grief Support Team, was the main speaker for a presentation titled Children and Grief. Within his presentation, Wolfe discussed primarily the issues of death, depression, and suicide...not happy thoughts to say the least. He mentioned a few things throughout his talk which seemed to make me lend a closer ear. The first was the fact that every death is complicated and ultimately effects everyone. Sometimes I find myself becoming somewhat callous to news of hearing about death as it relates to those I am not closely attached to. After all, death is a natural process and happens to everyone right? This may be so, but for some reason what struck me was the fact that educators are not as removed as they may like to be to those who have experienced the death of a loved one or someone close to them. Its almost inevitable that there will come a time for all educators that we will come in contact with students who are going through this difficult time. The easiest thing for many of us to do may be to ignore the situation as if it really didnt happen to this student and maybe it will go away. Its difficult to know what to say, how to act, and especially how to comfort someone. Ben Wolfe did a fine job at addressing this side of the death issue. He explained that we should not be afraid to say the word dead. Again, if we dont actually say the word, maybe that makes it not quite real. Our society has somehow sheltered this whole process. By doing this, it makes for a much more difficult healing cycle. Im glad that I was able to attend this presentation. It helped me to take a closer look at this issue...an issue that before then, I I would have wanted to avoid.

Many of the Toxic Child presentations were based around drug and alcohol use. Within each of the various presentations, I did pick up a spattering of information which I felt was very valuable. There were many facts and figures presented and at times, it became slightly numbing. However, of all of the discussions and presentations surrounding these topics, none were more powerful than the actual student guest speaker panels. To me, these panels of teenagers each sharing their own personal stories of challenges and triumphs proved to be the most beneficial of all. The sharing of their stories was the glue that brought all of the discussions together. They were there. They had experienced the ups and downs. They actually lived it! What better teachers! These opportunities proved to be very valuable to me.

After the completion of all of the various presentations which made up the Toxic Child series, I was left with one overall conclusion. It is very obvious to me that educational facilities have become much more than simple institutions there for the mere purpose of teaching a skill. Teachers no longer need to only be concerned about the area of expertise in which they were hired to teach. Instead, educators are now expected to be grief counselors, sex abuse counselors, drug and alcohol abuse counselors, referees, liaison officers, psychiatrists, psychologists, to name just a few. I strongly question whether it is even possible to actually teach a skill anymore. All of these complicated issues heavily dilute the content itself. Unfortunately, this is where we are at in todays society. It seems that we have no other choice...how sad.

Sprinkled throughout the season, were evenings in which some of the cohort members had chosen to fulfill their contract for grade projects. Valerie Tanner, a cohort student gave a presentation relating to American Indian Cultural Awareness. She began her session by handing out a quiz which asked various questions relating to the American Indian culture. Personally, I did not do too well on this test, proving that I had a fairly limited understanding of the American Indian culture. Valerie spent a large amount of the evening presenting many of the cultural characteristics of the American Indian pointing out the many challenges that they have faced throughout history. She also explained some of the challenges that are faced within the educational process, pointing out many areas which do not align with the American Indian culture. This presentation was very valuable to me. Valerie did a wonderful job helping all of us better understand the many variables of this culture. Marcia Gurno, another cohort III member, also gave a presentation for her contract for grade. Marcias presentation introduced us to the Child Protection Services, of which she is employed at here in Duluth. In addition to explaining many of the valuable resources which this agency has to offer, Marcia also discussed the many different signs of abuse and neglect which may be encountered by all of us throughout our various professions. Marcias presentation, like Valeries, was very valuable to me. I am hoping that there will be many more opportunities for more cohort members to share their expertise in the upcoming season of cohort III...very valuable!

There were many different opportunities throughout this season to explore different articles, journals, and professional books. Dr. Jennifer James, in her book entitled Thinking in Future Tense discusses the new mind set which she feels needs to be present in order to move forward in this rapidly changing world. I am extremely interested in the ever changing, always growing area of technology. Dr. James seemed to weave a common thread into her writings. Paying more attention to past practices and pattern helps us to understand how we are to face the future. By studying myths and symbols of past and present, we may be better prepared for what is to come. Technology is driving huge change. Educators not only need to strive to keep up with the actual technology equipment itself, but more importantly, adjust to the new possibilities which this technology can bring. The challenge lies in the way that education will react and respond to these drastic changes.

Once again, the Cohort model has served me very well. Throughout this past season I was able to get to know many friendly and interesting people. I look forward to the next season.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 1999