K, E, and I all started back this week. K started middle school (6th grade), E started 2nd grade, I went around to what seemed like a bajillion school districts getting them ready for their first days of school, and now it's the long Labor Day weekend. Since it's a beautiful day, it would be great to take the munchkins to a nice New England fair...
Just an update...I did really well in my second stats class, and am a little sad not to have that professor again. This semester I'm taking SPED law that starts next week. No, I haven't done anything more to change programs. If I make a change, I want it to be a thoughtful one. There is still time, but let's see where this semester takes me...
As far as the independent study...Dr. P and I met again a week ago, but it was much too noisy to do the recordings, so another bust of a recording session. We'll try again after class one evening (oh yay, it's going to be my favorite thing in the world to do two hours of recordings after working a full day and taking a 2 1/2 hour class, sigh...but it's necessary to get it done). I can't believe I started this IS in June 2007 and still have not done the recordings yet. During lunch, Dr. P indicated that by this time next year, the IS would be completed. When I indicated I didn't think so, she said she would "push me along" (who is she kidding? I feel as though I've had to push HER along!). I don't want to be bitter, but I've still had some issues with her ignoring e-mails this summer. Sigh...I need to just see how things go then make a decision that I either suck it up and keep going or make a change.
What I just realized I didn't mention is that I met with the head of the Special Education Administration program after the last blog, and she was not encouraging about changing programs (since I didn't neatly fit into their mold - I need to try to do that better). I've also been in contact with a program at a very well-known university nearby, whose special education coordinator was very interested in talking with me. That meeting didn't take place because it was the end of the school year. It is a full-time 3 year program, however for students who are accepted, tuition is free. KnEzdad and I did the pro- and con- list (which we did as I was getting into my Master's program) and while we feel this is not the best option because it would really impact our ability to be a family, I still want to meet with the coordinator of that program. I need to set that up in October, when the New England leaves are beautiful and take a gentle afternoon to have a meeting with a famous special education author. Ahhh...there will be more to come on this subject.
I'm going to play with my girlies...have a wonderful day and happy Fall!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Ok, so I made a mistake...
As usual, there's only limited time to write, so here it is in a nutshell. I'm not intellectually stimulated by Dr. P and have been extremely annoyed that she frequently cancels meetings. I am taking the second stats course with the same professor and still love it (just turned in a 25 page take-home exam last week, which I think I did well on). And I've been soul-searching...
In the interest of time, here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to Dr. A (my on-line mentor, who has been extremely helpful during this mentor issue I've had).
As you know, with how difficult things have been, I've been doing a great deal of thinking and soul searching this semester. Recently I attended the national Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) convention (for special education professionals). There I attended several wonderful presentations on deaf education and special education law and policy. I had some very intellectually challenging discussions with several of the professors (one from Harvard) about the availability of research on the education of deaf and hard of hearing children. It was a wonderful experience and I really learned a lot in those two days.
When I got home, I really started to think about my priorities and what I want to do. Before I ever started applying, I researched whether I should get a PhD or an EdD (all of my PhD friends said it was more prestigious and that's the route I should go). 5 years ago, I even posted on the ASHA blog on PhD education about which degree was better (responses were that the research experience should be what I'm looking into, not the letters). When I looked into programs, I wanted a program that would combine ComDis, special ed administration and deaf education, which I thought I had.
What my original plan was, was to get the PhD but also be certified as a special education administrator (which would have required 5 courses in addition to the required and elective coursework). Because of that, I would not have had time to take courses in the deaf education consortium program. I'm also having extreme difficulty finding ComDis courses that I'm interested in and the ones I am are held Tuesday/Thursday at 10-11:15 (which I could negotiate for one semester with work, but all of them are held in the middle of the day...this is a change from when I was looking at the program).
What I realize that I've been most frustrated about (as evidenced by the CEC convention), besides the issue of her cancelling meetings (which she's done again), is there is absolutely no intellectual stimulation from this mentor.
I am in the process of meeting with the Director of the Special Education department to review requirements, but I seriously considering applying to the EdD program for special education administration. I've already taken 2 stats classes in the education department, and I believe my one ComDis course could be considered an elective. And there might be electives I could take in the deaf education program. I really think this is a better fit for my personal interests. While a ComDis department may not be interested in hiring me as a professor (or they might, depending on the quality of my research), I could always teach in a special or deaf education department.
I should know more when I meet the Director of the SPED department (who is also, by the way, an SLP).
I realize it's probably never good to "jump ship" and I will probably be blackballed in the ComDis department. It's not just the advisor (though it doesn't help), but I'm more interested in the whole education of the child, not just the educational audiology piece (but already having the audiology knowledge, I could do that research myself). This feels much better to me.
I also realize that I'm rambling. OK, I'll stop now, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for listening.
In the interest of time, here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to Dr. A (my on-line mentor, who has been extremely helpful during this mentor issue I've had).
As you know, with how difficult things have been, I've been doing a great deal of thinking and soul searching this semester. Recently I attended the national Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) convention (for special education professionals). There I attended several wonderful presentations on deaf education and special education law and policy. I had some very intellectually challenging discussions with several of the professors (one from Harvard) about the availability of research on the education of deaf and hard of hearing children. It was a wonderful experience and I really learned a lot in those two days.
When I got home, I really started to think about my priorities and what I want to do. Before I ever started applying, I researched whether I should get a PhD or an EdD (all of my PhD friends said it was more prestigious and that's the route I should go). 5 years ago, I even posted on the ASHA blog on PhD education about which degree was better (responses were that the research experience should be what I'm looking into, not the letters). When I looked into programs, I wanted a program that would combine ComDis, special ed administration and deaf education, which I thought I had.
What my original plan was, was to get the PhD but also be certified as a special education administrator (which would have required 5 courses in addition to the required and elective coursework). Because of that, I would not have had time to take courses in the deaf education consortium program. I'm also having extreme difficulty finding ComDis courses that I'm interested in and the ones I am are held Tuesday/Thursday at 10-11:15 (which I could negotiate for one semester with work, but all of them are held in the middle of the day...this is a change from when I was looking at the program).
What I realize that I've been most frustrated about (as evidenced by the CEC convention), besides the issue of her cancelling meetings (which she's done again), is there is absolutely no intellectual stimulation from this mentor.
I am in the process of meeting with the Director of the Special Education department to review requirements, but I seriously considering applying to the EdD program for special education administration. I've already taken 2 stats classes in the education department, and I believe my one ComDis course could be considered an elective. And there might be electives I could take in the deaf education program. I really think this is a better fit for my personal interests. While a ComDis department may not be interested in hiring me as a professor (or they might, depending on the quality of my research), I could always teach in a special or deaf education department.
I should know more when I meet the Director of the SPED department (who is also, by the way, an SLP).
I realize it's probably never good to "jump ship" and I will probably be blackballed in the ComDis department. It's not just the advisor (though it doesn't help), but I'm more interested in the whole education of the child, not just the educational audiology piece (but already having the audiology knowledge, I could do that research myself). This feels much better to me.
I also realize that I'm rambling. OK, I'll stop now, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for listening.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
This morning K & E are getting ready for karate and gymnastics, so only a few minutes to post while I'm thinking about it.
As I indicated, I took stats last semester, loved it, and ultimately got an A. I really like the teaching style of this professor...very laid back, take home exams. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on my own teaching style. Since I have to take multiple stats courses anyway, it's worth it to just continue with the second half of this course with him next semester. The take home exams were hard only because they took SO MUCH time on the weekends...but I really understand how to calculate t-tests because of it!
Christmas was good and a bit nuts...just confirms that we all have crazies in our family. My sister and I flew my dad back east for Christmas. He spent several days with my sister's family and then they all came down to visit us. The girls really enjoyed spending time with him and we all went to see Blue Man Group while they were here! Highly recommended for adults and kids!
Ok - my plan to blog at this time was not a good one, because we need to leave to get to karate on time. Oh, but before I go, K got her orange belt just after Christmas. Now, while I don't have to worry about studying, I spend time during karate/gymnastics (which E also does), sewing Girl Scout patches onto their sashes. Until next time...
As I indicated, I took stats last semester, loved it, and ultimately got an A. I really like the teaching style of this professor...very laid back, take home exams. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on my own teaching style. Since I have to take multiple stats courses anyway, it's worth it to just continue with the second half of this course with him next semester. The take home exams were hard only because they took SO MUCH time on the weekends...but I really understand how to calculate t-tests because of it!
Christmas was good and a bit nuts...just confirms that we all have crazies in our family. My sister and I flew my dad back east for Christmas. He spent several days with my sister's family and then they all came down to visit us. The girls really enjoyed spending time with him and we all went to see Blue Man Group while they were here! Highly recommended for adults and kids!
Ok - my plan to blog at this time was not a good one, because we need to leave to get to karate on time. Oh, but before I go, K got her orange belt just after Christmas. Now, while I don't have to worry about studying, I spend time during karate/gymnastics (which E also does), sewing Girl Scout patches onto their sashes. Until next time...
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