A Narrative of Journey

Humility, Humor and Hope

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on my personal journey as a teacher. This paper will examine my early life, my own schooling from grade school to graduate school, as well as my personal adjustment to changes in my classroom situations and duties as they evolved over a span of thirty-five years.

Introduction

A brief overview of teacher narratives Aspects of narrative Development of the second self

(Inchausti)

Literature Review

Themes•Reasons for writing

•Union of reflection and action

•The “nitty gritty”

Writing to grow: Keeping a personal-professional journal

- M. L. Holly

“to explore and grow from experience and reflection on practice”

(Holly, 1989 p.5)

Teacher Reflection: a perspective from the trenches-K.M. Sharp

To increase effectiveness in the classroom

To improve utilization of resources

Lives on the Boundary- M. Rose

Message of hope and perseverance

Challenge to find own way, to become own person

“the urge to grow, the pressure of self-actualization, the quest for one’s identity”

A Life in School: What the Teacher Learned

- J. Tompkins

“Insofar as I was afraid to be exposed, they too would be afraid.”

Learning who we are is a lifelong process

The cruel reality Trusting your

professional self

Opportunities for further development

In-depth study of the role of narratives Link between reflection and learning How reflective practice is taught and

learned

Birth

February 2, 1944 Saint Louis, MO Jefferson Army Barracks “Lucky to be alive”

Childhood

Return to Pottsville, PA at age six months

First family home at age six

Saint John the Baptist Grade School No TV Voracious reading habit Decision about the future

Nativity B.V.M High School

Freshman Year High School

1958 Nativity B.V.M. Sister Beatrice, MSC 276 in class

Sophomore and Junior YearsHigh School

1959 - 1961 Convent School Productive Disquieting

Senior Year High School

1961 - 1962 Return to Nativity

B.V.M. Senior I Newspaper Visit to Villanova College Decision

College Years

1962 - 1966 Kutztown State

Teacher’s College Change of Major Student Jobs Failed class Graduation August

1966

The Years 1967 - 1979

Schuylkill Haven School District First Teaching

Position Kindergarten

June 1969 move to Long Island, NY

1974 Move to Allentown, PA Sister M. Aurelia:

Renaissance Woman Learning to trust my

professional self

April 1979: Death of husband Return to Pottsville, PA

The Years 1980 - 1989

1980 - 1981 School Year Saint Patrick’s Grade School

1982: Merger of Saint Patrick’s and Saint John the Baptist schools to form All Saints School

1984 - 1989: Challenging Years

The Years 1989 to Present:

The IU Years 1989 Assignment:

Class of Children with Autism Changing times in

Special Education

1999 Assignment: Itinerant Learning Support/Emotional Support Teacher Freedom of the road Flexibility

Alternate Education Programs Operation Plus Possibilities

Conclusion

Regrets Failure to Journal Delay of discovery of

Second Self

Resiliency Flexibility Recognition of

Options Humility, Humor,

Hope