Dana's Blog

This is not the post I planned to publish this month. My intent for this post was to discuss rurality and its impact on Fort Smith teachers (I promise, there is an impact). But, it can wait until next month. Instead, let's chat about uncomfortable and awkward professional moments.  A couple of months ago, I interviewed for a local, rural high school principal position. I was stoked about the opportunity, so I Showed Up  for the interview! To prepare, I studied the population, the community traditions, the instructional strengths and weaknesses, and how the school leadership communicated with the external community. I even familiarized myself with local organizations interconnected with the school community. It was absolutely the best interview I have ever had. I actually drove away, terrified that I may be selected as the instructional leader of a high school when I have absolutely no high school experience.   Fast forward to May 18 and an invitation to interview for a middle schoo

When I opened Blogger, I was blindsided by the Adventures of 2010 Dana and her sparsely documented teaching debut. As I perused a first-time graduate student's conveniently forgotten basic writing, my impulse was to archive the posts. Then I thought, "Why?   Why would I hide such a journey?" Isn't it fitting that I revive my blog in my first year as a doctoral candidate? I think, "Yes!"   The Journey - A Beginning My first two semesters as a doctoral candidate have come and gone. Throughout them, I was stricken by COVID-19...TWICE!  I experienced academically induced anxiety and fear but, in the end, was overcome with exhilaration. I met (virtually) the world's most supreme group of collegiates (#CohortOne) with whom I laughed and wept. I felt confident, then I was defeated, only to persevere into assuredness.  The fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022 were semesters of growth. It has been said that there is a time for every season. This season was one of