Category Archives: reflections

April 4 Day 757: How would you finish this thought?

I know I’ve been too busy when….. Before sharing some of my answers, take a moment to answer for yourself. . . . . I’ll wait. . . . . Ready? I know I’ve been too busy when I finally update my TO-DO list and feel embarrassment for the lingering items that should have beenContinue reading “April 4 Day 757: How would you finish this thought?”

March 16 Day 738: Finals Reflections

I have been administering oral final examinations over the last two days. Compared to previous quarters, when I had double (or quadruple) the students to manage, it was down right pleasant. The process hasn’t changed except that I administer the interviews in person rather than remotely through Zoom. I noticed more than ever before thatContinue reading “March 16 Day 738: Finals Reflections”

March 14 Day 736: My Wish

Whether you love it or hate it, Pi Day is a favorite day of mine because it is also my birthday. So what do I wish for on this, my third, birthday affected by the coronavirus? World peace. That’s a hard one to deliver on right now but I can make the wish. A returnContinue reading “March 14 Day 736: My Wish”

March 9 Day 731: Where Were You?

Are you aware that for me, this is the first day of the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where were you two years ago today? I was teaching my first class of the pandemic. (March 9 Day 1: Where Were the Students?) It was a Monday and UW Chancellor Ana Mari Cauce called forContinue reading “March 9 Day 731: Where Were You?”

March 2 Day 724: Gentle Nudges

Sometimes it feels like nagging. Working on a tight deadline but reliant on the input of others. I don’t want my deadline pressures to create stress on anyone else. So what’s a girl to do? Occasional gentle reminders that become more frequent as the deadline fast approaches. Imagine my chagrin, when I received a nudgeContinue reading “March 2 Day 724: Gentle Nudges”

March 1 Day 723: What’s Your Battery Charge Level?

What a difference 24 hours can make. Yesterday, to answer the title question, I wrote: Battery needs charging. I’m at the end of my winter quarter so I’m looking at a massive amount of grading. Teaching is draining when only half the students are present and the rest are black boxes on Zoom. I amContinue reading “March 1 Day 723: What’s Your Battery Charge Level?”

February 27 Day 721: Pushing Through

I know February is a short month, but I swear it just started. How did it get to be this close to the end? This week precedes many deadlines. I think I have a handle on them. Mostly. And I am looking forward to two(!) professional trips next week for a grand total of 4Continue reading “February 27 Day 721: Pushing Through”

February 23 Day 717: In Search of…Effective Leadership

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a good leader, again. My institution is at the start of the search for a Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. We are working on the position description, a job ad, and an assessment rubric. Pulling together the desired characteristics and experiences ofContinue reading “February 23 Day 717: In Search of…Effective Leadership”