In this second meeting, most of us were in good spirits. However, one participant had come in later due to a cold that was draining her energy. She was in a bad way, but she came and she was a willing participant in our discussion. Though she was ill, she did not let that keep her from sharing her views and perceptions with the group. She was real trooper. The other participants and I were very supportive and encouraging. The two other participants were especially caring speaking in an almost familial tone. This tone is common within our work environment and it had been a staple there prior to my arrival and it persists today even with then team being almost completely turned over. All participants were completely engaged and they'd all submitted their reflections prior to the meeting. I did not share any of the reflections with the group. These were personal. However, I did share with them that I would include any converging or reoccurring themes in my report.
We pick up with the winding road. On participant had discussed the winding road in her previous discussion about her educational journey. Each of us discussed our version of the winding road in the previous discussion as well. We then discussed this idea of winding road further and expanded it to the challenges that students face. We expanded further and discussed why the winding road is particularly challenging for persons in disadvantaged groups. Each of us talked about a personal experience as students under such circumstances. We also discussed how this winding road begin earlier. One participant stated that it is not the fault of community colleges. Another participant expanded further by discussing how these challenges start in high school and the feeling of inadequacy in key subjects impact their feelings about schooling. She stated that she felt sorry for them and wanted to be in a position to help them make better decisions and develop an understanding of college earlier. She stated that she would have benefitted greatly from having parents who were educated and had gone through the experience.Another participant discussed how the winding road starts before high school and even before middle school. She stated that it starts in early childhood. I second this by stating that kids who have strong early childhood education experiences are more successful in school and have an significantly increased likelihood of completing secondary education than those who do not.
This lead me to ask the question of k-14 education. Two participants agreed and gave reasons why. However, one participant believed in more of a 6-14 education and she gave her reasoning. In the end, we all agreed that there is a need to connect the community college to the second level of schooling to improve the opportunities for student success. The most impressive thing about this meeting is how these educators who spend their days focusing on operational functions were more than prepared to have conversations about the prevailing issues in education. We had an amazingly intellectual conversation about challenges in schools and how these challenges spill over into higher education, particularly high school. They were ready to have the conversations. It was as if the a soup was simmering in a covered pot and spill over once the cover was removed.
Field Notes
Conversation (Issues in Education - thinking as an educational professional)
- The winding road, all of us know the feeling, feel compelled to help other students avoid this path, the winding road may be unavoidable as students figure out what they want to do - how do students feel?
- How has the evolution from community focused work to independent professions impacted our view of what professions are valued? Does this contribute to the winding road? One participant gave a personal example of how her Master's degree is not as valued as those in the more valued profession. She stated that she is proud of her program and completed a thesis and other activities just as graduate students in other programs have done.
- Everyone discussed their winding road but they are ultimately proud of where they ended up
- Student feelings of inadequacy in high school and it follows them to college
- One participant discussed how we need to start earlier with early childhood education
- K-14, some agree and some disagree
- The community colleges get the carnage from primary and secondary education
- One participant thinks she may have done better in math with more motivation, still proud of her chosen academic path
- Too high a focus on STEM, women in STEM, we need the other professions - teachers and artists and what about the trades
Reflection -
- Due April 18, 2017 before third meeting
- General thoughts about the day's meetings
- Who's doing it without a degree
- Who's doing what they love
- Are you loving what you are doing or where you are going?
- If not, how can you lead yourself there?
- Who's an example of someone in your life or who have you seen who's being their authentic self?
- Are you being your authentic self?
Next meeting -
- Tuesday, April 18, 2017
- Leader perspective on one topic each participant
- other participants will agree or disagree and give reasons why
- Discussion of each persons aspirations and how this group may support their growth
- Discussion of how each of us pointed to external barriers (save one of us). How are we presented our own barriers to or achievement of our aspirations?
- How can we be our own catalyst for success and build social capital with key others?
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