The Transformational Conversations series that began in the fall will resume on 2/3 with a really interesting line-up of events and experiences for faculty!
A detailed explanation of the group’s raison d’etre can be summarized by a quote from Parker Palmer, [the group’s work should include activities that help us reflect] “on our work and life, remembering our callings, exploring meaning and purpose, clarifying personal values, and realigning our lives with them. The goal of [the group] would be to use meaningful conversations to reinvigorate ourselves, our work, and by extension, the academy.”(pg. ix)
Last semester we explored the research coming out of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center exploring the activities and approaches together as a group. This semester, we are continuing this approach, but also adding conversations and activities that expand into teaching and learning. The premise is to always start with ourselves and then explore the intersection between self and other – be that family, students in the classroom, colleagues on campus, and beyond. Kerry Magin wil lbe leading a session on mindful movement in February, and then we’ll have a few sessions devoted specifically to teaching & learning with guest speakers!
A highlight for me (well they all are highlights – lol!) will be a field trip to participate in a day-long workshop by Tara Brach which will really test our ability to enter into some intense periods of silence and reflection. It will be exciting to see the insights that come from this opportunity!
Funding from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence has provided some funding to support our efforts. The work from this series will hopefully be presented at the first annual i-Pen Festival on Positive Education in July in Dallas! Stay tuned…
I am grateful to my campus colleagues for their open-mindedness and sense of adventure in continuing this path of finding connections with each other and reclaiming the meaning of what we do every day – Shout out to Jane Emery, Kerry Magni, Harry Payne, Barb Eshbach, Annie Haines, Mike Jarrett, Noel Sloboda, Fred Haag.
