Final Reflections...

As we wrap up our time at SI, I can't help but think about all that we have accomplished and struggled with and questioned and written and discussed and pondered (and eaten) in the past three weeks. I have grown personally in two different areas:

1) I have grown as a teacher...
Perhaps the most obvious of categories, I feel as though SI has reminded me of practices/strategies/activities I am doing right and challenged me to revise those that aren't working. I am looking forward to using some of the texts and ideas from our demos as I start a new stage in my teaching career as a First-Year Writing instructor. I want my students to tackle single stories and memoir writing, dictation and big ideas, creative reading and good vs. bad writing, theme songs and figured worlds. I've also been reminded that I, as a teacher of writing, need to continue to reflect constantly not only on my big picture plan and purpose but also on my students, who they are and who they want to be.

2) I have grown as a writer...
I am still working toward my M.A. in English Literature and therefore think like a grad student. However, Lil was my partner during Tonya's demo and really challenged me to rethink a paper I had already received an A on. Through the encouragement of my peers during SI, I have reconnected with my writing self. Yes, I am great at writing literary analyses and reflections - my academic writing has always been a huge part of my identity as a writer. But, because of our work over the past several weeks, I have revised my understanding of Sarah Davis as a writer. I am determined to continue working on my mentored memoir piece, which allows me to write creative non-fiction in a way I actually enjoy! I also hope to revise my writing process - to give myself more time to mull over anything I compose and to make changes (even if I change them again later).

Thank you to all of my #unccwp colleagues for pushing me to grow as a teacher and a writer. I have enjoyed our time together and hope to continue working with your wonderful brains and hearts for many years to come!