Getting Started

Like opening a new book, starting the ADL program was anticipation-filled and somewhat scary.  Would I like it? Was it the right choice for me?  Will it be a waste of time? I was very excited by the prospect of learning by doing, and I started creating my Innovation Plan with enthusiasm.  I soon discovered that this new way of learning was harder than it sounded and became frustrated trying to do things "right" without a clear definition of what "right" looked like.  My blog post "Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks" illustrates this point: those of us who grew up receiving instruction in rows and columns are going to struggle in a more authentic learning environment.  
Click the image above to hear the story of my ADL experience.

Getting Invested

Sometimes it takes a while to get into a book, but if you can get past the first couple of chapters you're hooked.  After the first 2 courses, I started to feel more comfortable with Dr. Harapnuik's teaching style and the COVA+CSLE philosophy.  In fact, I came to appreciate the freedom and creativity it allowed me to invest in my own learning.  Wouldn't it be great if ALL students could experience this feeling? Click on the buttons below to learn more about each chapter of my ADL story. ​

The Next Chapter

 When you finish a great book, it stays with you.  The characters, themes, and story impact your life in ways that you may not recognize at first.  My ADL story may be ending, but I see this as just the beginning of a new life as an educator.  I have learned how to affect change in myself and my organization, communicate more effectively with those around me, and develop meaningful learning experiences both for other educators and their students.  As I move into the future, these lessons will stay with me, much like that beloved book. 

Acknowledgements

Without my collaborative team, this story would never have been written.  First of all, I'd like to thank Robin Ballard for talking me into this in the first place.  She is my true north and never fails to come through with words of encouragement for everyone in our group. Lindsay Wallace and Lindsay Hoerig-Cavanaugh are creative geniuses, and Avery Nihill is an absolute warrior.  I leaned on Maria Rodman and Danielle Pyle for moral support, as they seemed to best understand the concept of "I do my best work in panic mode".  These ladies are an integral part of the story and I look forward to collaborating with each of them again in the future!