Summary
On this page you will discover my review and abstract of each output project I worked on throughout my pre-capstone year. You will also will see an in-depth reflection on the 5 P's: Project, Professional, Political, Personal and Peer. I will show you my design template that I used in order to generate this output and what helped me move my process forward. There will be an annotated bibliography that was created for this learning review that took some of the useful resources that were utilized throughout my other projects.
Project Reviews:
Life and Career Review Output
This output was exhilarating to write as it was my first ever output of my pre-capstone year. I remember being anxious, excited and feeling a lot of emotions during the development of this document. It was challenging at times because I hadn't ever written an output before and had only looked at other associates for ideas. It was also hard to determine what was important in my life and keeping it within the word count. At times I found myself not wanting to think about certain triggering events that occurred in my life but discovered a lot of people in my cycle phase were going through the same thing. That created a great support system and we all helped each other through it, which I think was one of the most beneficial parts of writing this output.
Abstract:
Throughout this OP you will discover stories from my adolescent years, school, adventures, heartbreak, growth, WWOOFing, to my current life at age 23. At the same time, I don't know if words can do justice or describe my life events but I hope you will be able to see in glimpses the real me. I have compiled a series of short stories, documents, and pictures to complete this OP. This project will be in constant evolution, as each day I am a new person.
You can view it here
Learning Intentions and Pathway Design Output
This was an output that required a lot of planning and organization on my end. I am always asked where I see myself in 5 years, 10 years, but I hardly ever ask myself where I see myself month by month for 1 year. I thought it was a great opportunity to look at my passions and interests and utilize them to design what I wanted my projected year to be. It was nice to have this to look back on as a tool to keep me on track or if I felt a little lost. I really enjoyed creating my goals and list of interests because sometimes I need personal time, and this has been so useful to remember those goals and desires.
Abstract:
The output projects I have defined in this OP will ultimately help me achieve my dream to design my own outdoor school that instills and teaches: land and nature stewardship, building, tools and technology, education and culture, health and spiritual well being, finances and economy, and community governance. It would implement Permaculture and Biophilic design principles, as well as Reggio Emelia, Waldorf and Montessori aspects in an embraced environmental setting. Rooted with resilience, composed of natural materials, surrounded by forest gardens, and other creative integrations. Which then leads me back to the vitality of community, this vision would be a joint collaboration to establish a community- funded school, sustaining itself with the communities support, ideas, passions, and gifts. A place where a community can feel ethically invested in order to void the money economy and the phony compensation, to create a school that works for everybody. Now it’s time to plant the seeds and watch it grow!
You can view it here
Teaching With Intention Output 2
Abstract:
The meta-context of this OP is on my experience of education. I will talk about the differences between my previous teaching styles and the new approach of intentional teaching. My project depicts the importance of intentional teaching on an individual level and on a community level. I have focused my work/design around starhawk's thirteen social permaculture principles. I also have used this OP to report on the significance teaching has had for me and what this style of teaching has done for the students.
Overview:
- Principal outcomes of projects including what fresh knowledge you think you may have generated for the commons
I think my application of the relationship between social permaculture and education will be a resourceful tool for the commons. - What went well and what goals were met?
I was able to determine new goals for upcoming projects as well as understand the bond between social permaculture and education. - What was challenging?
I found it challenging to have so much of the OP to be pre-designed. I felt like there were so many other obligations that took up space and retracted my ability to write a sufficient core report without going exceedingly over the word count. - Principal un/learnings and what would you do differently next time?
I would ideally like to focus on developing more of a core report of what I foraged and make it look more like an academic paper. I know it had been stated in our orientation cycle that that is how the core report should look but I just question it with all the outside information you want obtained.
You can view it here
Teaching with Intention
The what and why's of teaching
Especially for educators workshop that focuses on Wisconsin Winters and engaging children.
Held by Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, WI
Learn about animal tracks, nature preschool classrooms, how to incorporate nature into classroom curriculum.
Hone in on what my skill set is as a teacher and document for supporting evidence.
Recognize what it means to teach with intention, define it, and then move with the mindset for future success with teaching with intention.
Worm Composting Output 3
This output was my first opportunity taking on clients. It was a different approach as my previous output had been more self-directed goals. This was also a collaborative piece with help from co-workers, the school and the children. I found it satisfying to use some of my previously learned "intentional teaching" to listen to what the client goals were. I used this as an opportunity to be a lady of many different roles: I supported, I lead, and I followed. Overall, I thought this was an exciting piece of work because I physically was working with the content and developed a hands on project.
Abstract:
In this OP you will see the making of a small-scale worm bin that will be implemented into my classroom of 3 and 4 year olds. This fits into my pathway of intentional teaching because the kids are incredibly interested and passionate about worms right now. Therefore, I can take this a teachable moment and cater to their interests. We also were approved of a garden grant that wants to have some focus on composting. This small-scale system is to open up to the idea of composting so the children gain familiarity as well as confidence when it comes to the large-scale system that will be implemented this summer.
You can view it here
Worm Composting
Worm bin for the Playhouse classroom
Brainstorm ideas for the design of the worm bin
Finish final thoughts on design
Search craigslist, and thrift stores for a cheap 10-15 gallon aquarium for the project. Must be in good condition.
Get 30 red wriggler worms from the local bait shop in town by friday
Finish the implementation of the worm bin and place it in the classroom.
Activating Community Output 4
As this was my most recent output I still have a lot of lingering feelings about it. I had wanted to focus a lot more on community during my pre-capstone year but realized I needed to focus on more personal goals first in order to move into some of my other desired work. This paper was stressful and time consuming. I had worked on it for 4 months, working on surveys, having a tutoring session and other community outreach events and then actually designing the output. This output was one that I felt most proud of when it came to the design and layout of the material. This piece feels somewhat unfinished and I feel like it is something that I would like to continue on in my Capstone year as more of a collaborative piece of work with gaia associates.
Abstract:
In this output I will create a universal definition of community and establish what's a healthy vs unhealthy community. I will seek out and share how people feel connected, and how they handle problems to dissolve disconnection and rekindle connection. This output will also discuss where our connection is going? i.e. Social Media, face-to-face. There will be a philosophical integration on the human pluarlity/condition by Hannah Arendt.
You can view it here
Activating Community
Demystifying community
A video compilation of peoples ideas of community and what it means to them.
Figure out ways to maintain and establish a community in beneficial and healthy ways.
Then conclude with why it is vital to have a community. Community, what is it good for?
A survey on connection and community
Design Methods of the Year
My first two outputs (LCR and LIPD) did not have any sort of design method to them. I recall I had just looked at a lot of other Gaia associates work in order to get an idea of what to add and how the layout should look.
In my OP 2 I used Starhawk's Thirteen Social Permaculture Principles to help aid in my development of designing. This was also the first time I had initially used any sort of design method in my outputs. It was a neat way to adapt social permaculture into my work of being more intentional when teaching kids.
Treasure and Nurture Relationships
Create beneficial relationships and a rapport with each child, family, and other teachers.
Devote time, attention and energy to friendship and love
Create experiences and space to put attention on relationships. Potlucks, family gatherings, and appreciation days.
Keed your word
Consistency is key! Manage time and manage promises.
Take responsibility for your mistakes
Have evaluations of your work, ask for feedback. If a mistake is made use it as an opportunity to grow from it rather than regress from it. It's okay to make mistakes it is how we learn.
Value diversity
Increase collective intelligence by having a classroom dedicated to a diversity of skills, talents, race orientation, etc.
Embrace conflict
This should be used as a learning moment for the students. Teacher shall reflect the issue at hand and encouraging vocal empowerment while smothering personal attacks.
Confront directly
Confront in the moment, not later (as long as you can handle it in a mature mannor). Limitize confrontation by setting clear group expectations.
Ask before you assume
Are they crying because they're hurt or want the toy, feel lonely/left out?
Be generous with appreciation
Reinforce positive behaviors: "Billy is cleaning up the room, way to help out! Oh, thank you!" or "I love how you asked your friend that question." Simply appreciating the small things as well as the large so in each moment that child feels supported and welcomed.
Honor the shadow
Honor emotions! Give space to feel, talk about feelings and what might be the cause, introduce peaceful way to go about anger.
Practice love and acceptance
Children model what they see their role models do. What you practice, is what you teach.
In my OP 3 I had the BDIOE Design Method. BDIOE stands for:
Brainstorm: what, where, why, when
Design: develop prototypes, begin desigining via paper/pen
Implement: choose a prototype, obtain materials, hands on designing
Observe: desired outcome? Any interventions? Have you met client goals?
Evaluate: meet goals (Personal/professional)? What could have I done differently? What went well? Next steps? Skillflex
In my OP 4 I created the PRSET Model. My first step was to 'Plan'- where I asked myself: why, when, where, and what? I used this as the base for my output. The next pattern I used was 'Reach Out' I did this by creating a survey and reaching out via facebook, e-mail, gaia u forum, as well as face-to-face interactions. After reaching out, my next step was to gain 'Support' and I needed support in order to continue on with my project. What I also got out of the support portion was a tutor, which leads me to my next process of 'Expand'. What I mean by expand is the expansion of my knowledge, tools, and community. The very last step that I had built into my design pattern was 'Teach' I have created it for teaching others ways to activate a community. This was the order of my process:
- Plan
- Reach Out
- Support
- Expand
- Teach
Annotated bibliography
This is a compilation of resources used throughout each OP that were powerful for my overall pre-capstone year.
Hawkins, Stella (Starhawk). "Thirteen Principles of Social Permaculture." Permaculture Design Course/Earth Activist Training. Black Mountain Retreat Center, Cazadero, California. Jan. 2012. Lecture.
Here is a great resource on Social Permaculture and the 13 principles of people care compiled by Starhawk. This was a document/lecture from my Earth activist/Permaculture Design course I attended with Starhawk and Erik Ohlsen at the Black Mountain Reserve in Cazadero, California. Starhawks Social Permaculture approach encompasses human relationships and ways to practically apply her ethics.
These 13 principles offer great support in building and designing beneficial relationships. I have applied majority of these principles to my work in my Output 2 Teaching with Intention. This work could also be used in any social structure such as community gatherings, building a community, workshop facilitation, book clubs, or designing agricultural systems.
Young, Jon, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown. Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature. Shelton, WA: OWLLink Media, 2010. Print.
Young's book is full of daily practices to incorporate into your life to bring in greater connection with nature. It has taught me to work in an inquisitive way with children to grasp their full attention and interests, especially in the outside world. I have utilized information obtained in this book in two of my output's and will continue to use it as a resource in my life.
Morse, Suzanne W. Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use Strategic Thinking to Build a Brighter Future. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004. Print.
Smart Communities offers advice on building sustainable communities. It's focus is finding local leaders and using them in order to generate a better community. This book will go over community resources and their importance to the vitality of community. It also has significant information on using local leaders within a community for problem solving.
Morse's work was a huge contribution to my most recent output, Activating Community. It helped me grasp a better understanding on sustainable communities and what makes them sustainable. I used it to decipher what was a healthy community vs unhealthy.
"Start Designing." Canva – Amazingly Simple Graphic Design for Blogs, Presentations, Facebook Covers, Flyers and so Much More. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014.
Very useful website that helps enable graphic designs for blogs, presentations, posters, and more.
"Organize, Edit, and Share Your Photos." Picasa. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2014.
I used google extensively throughout my output creations. I had used it to send e-mails, schedule meetings, and to store my documents and pictures. It has been a very versatile tool/website to keep me engaged in my school work in an organizational manner.
"Mahara Skill-flex." Online interview. Sept. 2014.
I had a skype session with Ava Klinger who works within Gaia University and it was an educational experience. Ava taught me a few tips and tricks on how to utilize the mahara database better. I have been able to glean some of that information to create a more visual presentation when it comes to documenting.
Buehler, Jensen M. "365 Days. A Year in Gaia." Prezi.com. N.p., 28 Sept. 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.
Prezi was the database I chose to do both my M-o-Y and E-o-Y presentations. After trying a few other places online I felt like it worked the most efficiently. I thought it was easy to comprehend and I was able to implement my own style into and I liked that aspect of it.
This was an interview/session I had with my philosophy tutor, Anthony, and it was great for my Activating Community output because of the distinction we think there is between community and independence but we were able to discuss how they really thrive off one another to exist, and that was in relation to Hannah Arendt's theories. I enjoyed getting to sit one on one and learn in this way.
This video was a huge motivator in writing my output 4, Activating Community. It also helped as a breaking point while reading my output because it suggests to close the computer, turn off your phone and connect with someone. Even though youtube is another way to connect via social-media and not face to face, Youtube always has had a kind spot in my heart. I love using it to research things I am curious about or to document my own thoughts/experiences. Although, I have not recorded many videos so video-logging is something I would like to get into as a way to document my work better and visually.
Professional Review:
This year I started off as a Teaching Naturalist at an outdoor education facility. I learned a lot about myself and pushed myself out of my comfort zone more than I was in it. I say this because I was leading 20 mile canoe trips down the Wisconsin River. There I encountered a lot of dangerous, and adrenaline rushing experiences. I rescued kids from the water after a tipped canoe, huddled under a small shelter during a thunderstorm with 20 kids as the water is reaching up to our calves, and setting up climbing gear on top of highest cliff. Hopefully you can gather some of the adrenaline that I got from working there. This job also needed self-initiative, in order to adapt a lesson plan for a group depending on the ages present in the group.
After my job ended as a teaching naturalist, I became a pre-school teacher and a line therapist for children who have Autism. I never realized how both jobs were so demanding! I learned to be inquisitive, supportive, a leader, and a motivator. I was also getting reviewed regularly at each job in order for me to grow to my full potential while working at each place. I had a knack for organizing, and being resourceful. I also noticed a lot of the kids would gather to me, or really want to show me something because of the way I challenged them and were just as curious with them. With the skills that I developed there I felt very passionate about what I did and wanted to expand on my skills.
This leads me to my last and current job. I have just decided to transition to a more permanent job for the year. I will still be working with children who have Autism, and even with some of the kids I had previously but I will be working a full time job. This is instead of two part time jobs. I have yet to experience what it will be like but so far working with Autism I have learned my patience, my dedication, and adaptability skills in any situation that lays ahead. I look forward to this new, but similar experience.
*See skill-flex growth on tab 1 as a resource for skills developed*
Political Reviews:
I don't really have much to say when it comes to politics. What I can talk about though is the presence of the patrix (oppression, gender roles, sexism, etc) . This isn't something that was incredibly present throughout my work for the year but it was still subtly there. I had a lot of kids feel like they couldn't do something because it was a boys toy (playing with cars). There was an instance where a little boy had come in with pink toe-nail polish and he was so excited to show me and tell me all about how his mom and him did their's together, up until another boy made fun of him for it. It made me very upset and I decided my group needed to have a talk that they understood. It ended up being a pretty long talk about equality, justice and a few other things. These kids were 4 years old and it was so powerful because I realized this is what they need to know, they are the future of our world.
Personal review:
This year has been a wild and busy year. I have found myself in a lot of different emotions when it comes to the relationship side of things in my life. Otherwise, on the school side of the spectrum it has been a very easy approach for me and has happened over the year naturally with ease. I had been working a high-stress job which wasn't super good for my anxiety and my eye's were twitching like crazy and then I transitioned into something a little more mellow and my stress levels plummeted and so did my anxiety. Once that settled I was able to focus on my needs a lot better and the relationships in my life. I decided I needed a few life changes, to learn to say no and have non-violent communication (which was in my Teaching with Intention OP 2). I felt like once I shifted my perspective and began focusing on myself it actually helped brighten the relationships that I had in my life, as ironic as that is. As I first stated, my relationships were a little rocky for me throughout the year but I think it was because I was taking a lot out on others when it wasn't necessary. I was also able to give people that were really close to my a few tips and tricks to snap me out of my "mean" streak. Which has been a great resource that I am happy I have created.
Below I have posted a list of personal goals I had set for myself in my LIPD at the beginning of the year. The ones that are written in Purple have been focused on throughout the year, and I would say I focused on majority of my goals more than 50% of the time:
- Create my own home base, even if it is temporary
- Find time for myself, indulge in myself
- Spend time being healthy, exercise, yoga
- Expand my vocabulary
- Talk with intention - mindful of word choice
- Attention towards art projects, learning french, cooking and baking
Peer Review:
Connection with other's was a big part of my year in the personal world, peer world and project world. I wanted to foster deeper connections with local folks. I had just moved to a new town and didn't feel like I had much of a support system present but after living here for 9 months I would discredit that last statement. I have found some of the most beautiful and inspiring folks throughout the year that I have just truly connected with and built wonderful relationships with. I did however slack when it came to connections via Gaia until the end of my pre-capstone year came around. This is something that I hope to focus on more during my capstone year. On tab 3 you will see more written documentation on my peer connections.
This is what I had originally stated for my peer goals in my LIPD at the beginning of the year (orange means achieved):
- Develop more quality friendships
- Expand my support system within my community
- Better listener
- Encourage more (continuing attention towards this)
Design Method For Learning Review
I adapted my design methodology from Simah Bode's. I tweaked mine to fit my needs for this output but incorporated his tactic of Deconstruct and Reconstruct, which is something I haven't approached or focused on since learning about it in our orientation phase. I'm very happy that I have spent the time looking at other associates learning reviews in order to get a feel for layout and designs. The design method that I developed will be useful for anyone else doing a learning review.
I decided to stick with the 3 tab template in developing this output. At times it felt a little short and things were to condensed but I think it ended up turning out to be exactly the right choice. I have used this template for the last 2 previous outputs so I have a lot familiarity with it but it's been fun re-designing the layout each time! I also feel like the 3 tabs makes it easier to navigate.
Design Method Breakdown
Reflect:
What went well? What was challenging? What would I do differently next time? Next steps? These were the four questions that I asked myself while reviewing my work of the year. These questions have been present since I began writing outputs so it seemed like a great first step in my last output of the year.
Deconstruct:
GO DEEPER! Uncover patterns, themes, learnings and un/learnings that were present.
Review:
I used this to decide what was important to include and what was not. I also reiterated this by doing my self-review during my process of the learning review. It helped keep my content relevant.
Reconstruct:
Articulate patterns, themes, learnings and un/learnings and prepare journal entries, mindmaps and documents supporting these.
Design:
I used this as an opportunity to create my own design template. Utilizing other associate's work as an example for what to include in my Learning Review.
Edit:
I will also be using the peer-review and other local allies to review my work before submitting for pro-submission. These reviews have helped me break down my content and tweak what needs to in order to make sure that I am pushing my edges.
~ Interventions
Throughout this whole output I have felt distressed about the layout and format of my content. I have been having a hard time figuring it out when it has usually been something that has come rather easily, or felt right. This time around nothing has felt quit right and I have done a lot of tweaking here and there. I ended up reaching out by looking at other associates learning reviews to see how they had their pieces set up. That helped tremendously! I already knew the content that I wanted to share within this output, just not sure what to necessarily put together. After I read other peoples work I was able to get a feel for what I wanted to go together.
Physical projects achieved:
- Wild Dandelion Jelly with my classroom
- Intentional lesson plans
- Worm composting bin
- Planting seed starts in newspapers, egg-shells
- Creating a worm composting story for pre-schoolers
- Throwing a SWAP party
- Online connection survey
project evidence slideshow
view more pictures from my projects here
Next Steps
I'm excited to wrap up my pre-capstone year. I only have a few goals that I have set to accomplish during the month of September. I need to listen and take notes on my last AGC call, Living in Harmony with Money. I will be setting up a doodle pad in order to set a date for my E-o-Y presentation, once the date is set I will send out my invitations. I need to design my E-o-Y visual presentation as well. The last next step that I have is to attend my skill-flex meeting with Ava in mid-September. If I feel like I have time I want to start a mind map of potential directions and project ideas that I can move forward with in my Capstone year!
A Year to Here
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started my orientation phase with Gaia University last September (2013). Granted I had friends within the Gaia community that I had talked with before starting that gave me feedback of their journey's as well as showed me their output packets. There was still an air of mystery floating around. I was excited and anxious to start. I remember the first phone call where we all chatted and it was very uplifting and comforting. I was a little surprised it took so long for us to even get into writing output packets. I did however enjoy most of the readings although I didn't really catch myself seeking information from them after I started writing my output packets. Once I got into writing my packets is when I started to progress and grow as a student within Gaia. I noticed a significant increase in my ability to observe everything, and record the data. I also found my time was dedicated to organizing (thoughts, materials, layout), exploring writing styles, and developing vocabulary. Gaia has given me a space to explore my interests and my passions. Every time I feel overwhelmed, which was a lot this year but I think I just worry too much, I meet people within the community that offer copious amounts of support. I feel like I have transformed as a student from the beginning of the year until now. Even upon reflecting my outputs to create this one I noticed the growth I have had along the way. In my eyes, I can clearly see my outputs get better and better as time went on. You can see the different styles I explored, the expansion of media and resources, and the overall layout that starts to have a pattern that flows. I also used each project output to create my own design methods. I will elaborate on these further shortly. Gaia gave me an open space to manage my tasks and be creative. Throughout the year I have been holding myself accountable due to having an output dedicated to my goals for the year. I'm excited to continue onto my capstone year and to bring all these tools along with my. It is my hope to expand on each skill that I developed. With this year under the way side, I feel a sense of relief and accomplishment. I also feel much more confident with my deliverance of knowledge and my approach to do so.