Pumpkin Spice or Panic Spice…
Summer, a magical time when the sun stays out past 8 p.m., and you convince yourself you're going to “rest and recharge,” even though that really means forgetting what day it is and surviving on iced coffee and denial.
Leading With Feedforward: The Power of Positive Growth
"Feedforward" is a leadership approach that focuses on future improvement rather than dwelling on past performance. I truly believe this method creates a healthier, more productive environment—one built on encouragement, opportunity, and the belief that we can all get better.
My Voice, My Journey, My Way
I’m not the type of person that can easily talk about myself or my accomplishments. I’ve never liked the idea of drawing attention to myself, because I don’t want to appear arrogant. There was an anonymous quote that I once read that has stuck with me! “If you have something to brag about, you don’t have to. Other people will do it for you”. I’m a firm believer that true accomplishments will speak for themselves. I am not conceited by any means, but when I have a job to do, I feel confident enough in my ability to know I will get it done. There is a big difference in confidence and conceit.
More than I bargained for
When I married a federal law enforcement officer, I had stars in my eyes and absolutely no idea what I was really signing up for. Sure, I was excited about the stable career, the sense of purpose, and let’s be honest—Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield is a pretty sweet perk. But what I didn’t realize was that our lives would become a constantly shifting puzzle of missed holidays, last-minute deployments, and unpredictable danger.
Leading With Flexibility, Feedback, and Forward Thinking
There are many benefits of a growth mindset in leadership. First, you have to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth instead of seeing them as threats. That has always been the hardest thing for me to do….not facing challenges head on. In leadership, I have found you have to be committed to ongoing learning, both for myself and for my team. Resilience is a must in a leadership position. You can’t take failures or past mistakes personally. They will or should become learning experiences! Flexibility and adapting to changing circumstances are also a much-needed addition to leadership skills. I can see the need for feedback now. It’s needed for reinforcement and positivity. It doesn’t have to be dreaded as if it’s always a bad thing. Honest feedback is to improve leadership skills and help build confidence. Everyone has the potential for growth and new development.
Enhancing, Not Replacing, the Heart of Learning
In modern classrooms, digital tools have already become indispensable. Interactive technologies like smart whiteboards and digital textbooks have replaced traditional blackboards and books, to create an engaging and dynamic learning environment.
Onboarding: Herding Cats with Medical Degrees
Tick, tick, tick, every year in June you can hear the clock ticking louder and louder waiting on July 1st to arrive. It’s the most magical time of the year in Graduate Medical education. New fellows arrive, full of hope and excitement, not knowing that they are just seconds way from the $%&^ hitting the fan! The start of every new academic year is a bit like standing still in a whirlwind of activities gone wrong—exciting, high-stakes, and just a little chaotic.
More than a file folder, what an ePortfolio can do for you
More than a file folder, what an ePortfolio can do for you
Student life, sunscreen, summer days and stress
We are two weeks into June, three weeks into hearing “Mom, I am bored” at least 6 times a day. This summer my days are a little busier than normal, not only am I working full time and making lunch and 42 snacks during the day, I am also back in school as a graduate student—pursuing my M. Ed in Digital Learning.
My Journey Creating an ePortfolio: From Panic to Progress
Hearing the words “you must create an ePortfolio” was enough to send panic through my brain! My mind started spinning in 100 directions at once, trying to figure out what I needed and how I could get there. Once I had a moment to stop and really think about it, I was able to make a plan. I started with a paper and pen and began sketching out what I wanted. I knew I had some items to include from my previous class, 5302 and had to figure out how to incorporate them. I knew I should take risks, take action, and keep going until I felt more confident. I had started with a Google drive and quickly realized this platform would not work for me. It is not user friendly and it doesn’t come off as polished and professional as I like. In my line of work, I have learned everything needs to be the best you can make it, at all times. I knew I had to hold myself accountable, and just keep going. After doing a little research, I decided that Webador would be the best for me. It was user friendly form the beginning, with built in templates that you I could customize to my liking. I knew I had to design, edit and be able to share, but I also wanted it to be simple yet enticing at the same time. Little did I know I would be trying to combine learning with storytelling just to keep things interesting!