Service to Community
First and foremost, my service to community comes from what I can give most of and that is a clear and present self to others and the world around me. I am aware and conscious that I am white, from a middle class educated family, and that my background lends a privilege that many of my friends, students, families, and community fellows may not have, affording me access to opportunities that I have not always fully appreciated. It is critical that I am forever vigilent in my consciousness and that I am a support and may be able to provide access for others as their critical friend and advocate. In order to do this most effectively I need to develop an understanding of the cultural, familial and historical background of those individuals and groups I connect with personally and professionally. I must also keep the conversations going--courageous and sometimes uncomfortable, but essential conversations, followed by action.
Personally, I share financially in the future of children and women in poverty, as well as providing wellness care to families and abandoned animals. I am an environmentalist who practices minimizing my footprint on the Earth as best I can with an awareness and consciousness I am forever working on raising. My personal practice of meditation and journaling has helped with my practice of non-violence in my words and actions, sending a level of positive energy in an often challenging world of suffering.
Professionally, I volunteer myself as coach and mentor to new and continuing teachers and new and continuing administrators. I am the university liaison for one of our Professional Learning Laboratory Schools and have extended this relationship to the school to provide professional development for the school staff and parents in the process of Tribes--a community building and student-focused process. This relationship has extended to 3 additional schools and I have become a member of their leadership Professional Learning Community, supporting their continuous improvement process.
I have held university committee and professional organization membership, as well as participating in state wide efforts. I stay involved and connected, being available by keeping the connections in our profession alive!
Personally, I share financially in the future of children and women in poverty, as well as providing wellness care to families and abandoned animals. I am an environmentalist who practices minimizing my footprint on the Earth as best I can with an awareness and consciousness I am forever working on raising. My personal practice of meditation and journaling has helped with my practice of non-violence in my words and actions, sending a level of positive energy in an often challenging world of suffering.
Professionally, I volunteer myself as coach and mentor to new and continuing teachers and new and continuing administrators. I am the university liaison for one of our Professional Learning Laboratory Schools and have extended this relationship to the school to provide professional development for the school staff and parents in the process of Tribes--a community building and student-focused process. This relationship has extended to 3 additional schools and I have become a member of their leadership Professional Learning Community, supporting their continuous improvement process.
I have held university committee and professional organization membership, as well as participating in state wide efforts. I stay involved and connected, being available by keeping the connections in our profession alive!