Reflections

So first of all I want to apologize to everyone for Tuesday night. I wasn't feeling the best but I still should have done better at being excited about Nick's and my presentation of our topic. It's a lesson that I need to take to heart. Our students' attitudes towards the lessons we lead and the class in general most often greatly reflect how we go about the class that day ourselves. It goes back to the FISH philosophy; we need to check ourselves at the door and not bring in our problems or worries. It's about the students for that 50 minutes of the day (at least) and it really does make a difference. Just one of many things I need to work on still.

Deb and Joey did a great job presenting chapter 4. The skits were a great idea and worked really well. I personally don't enjoy doing them, but I really enjoy watching and learning from them, and adding input at the end if wanted as it was. It's a great way to learn, but it's not quite my type preference. ;) Well, the topics they chose to address with the skits I think are really important ones. We need to hold ourselves and each other accountable to what we say and do for our students and the program. Trust and relationships can't be built without a foundation, and that starts with making good by your word. People can really tell the difference if you really care or not, so it's important to constantly reevaluate your motives and how you present yourself.

As for the party scenario, well I still have never been to a party so I don't see that as being a problem, (I know, I'm boring) but I think if it did happen it would be best to acknowledge the student but then remove myself completely from the situation. I'm of age, but our students won't be so it would probably be a good thing to remind them of the possible consequences of their actions. And I think Joey did a good job of putting Greg off in that last skit as well. It's a good thing to keep in mind that all 100 will be our students and it should remain just a student-mentor relationship, at the very least until the end of that first semester. I don't even want to imagine some of the problems that could potentially cause. But it really made for a humorous skit to watch. ;)

The beginning go-around question was good to make me think. By asking how we remembered our leaders our freshman year made me wonder how I'm now remembered by my students from last fall and how I want to be remembered by my incoming students next fall. It makes me think more about what I'm doing now and what I can do to better prepare; how I can work to make a difference in their experience here at ISU. Then later we were questioned as to why we're here. Why did I want to become a peer mentor? It was a great question and an important one. There were a lot of great answers and it's something that I try to think about myself often. Our motives will be reflected by how we present ourselves and the students will really pick up on them.

Once again, great job Deb and Joey and I can't wait for Tuesday for Anthony and Beth to present! :)