So, this week has been a very productive week for me. Well, actually, it’s just been “a week.”

I don’t even know where to start, so I think I’m going to use some images.

So, let’s start with Tuesday. Tuesday was fine, we had a PLC meeting, and I was able to get out of lunch duty. Honestly, mood. Then Wednesday comes… Uh oh, Back to School Night! So somehow, from 12 – 3:30 and then from 4:30 – 6:30, I’m supposed to have free time. Somehow, I ended up only being able to get one week’s worth of lesson plans done, and I also cleaned my classroom.

But Thursday… I was running on 1%. I was tired, I was barely functioning. I was trying so hard to make it through the day. And on top of that, Dr. Libbey and I were trying to figure out how to get our IRB stuff submitted. Once I figured it out, I had to go back and revise all of my documents, because they needed the Kean Letterhead. Then I needed to make a consent form… Okay cool. Bell rings for 7th period. UGHHHH. Now I realize I’m going to be staying past contract hours. Let’s just say, Thursday was nothing compared to Friday…

My thesis asks me to consider how college instructors teach writing.

Meanwhile, I work in a middle school.

This week, I had one of those days where “English teacher” somehow turned into teacher, substitute support, conflict mediator, crowd control, and—briefly—someone who probably looked far more authoritative than I actually am.

At one point, I realized my department supervisor had witnessed some of the chaos. My immediate thought was: Well, if nothing else, I hope this counts toward Domain 4.

The funniest moment came when, under an incredible amount of stress, I took charge of a situation involving a large group of students. It worked beautifully… until I looked around and realized some of the staff probably had absolutely no idea who I was.

Sorry! I promise I’m a teacher!

So, while my academic life currently asks, “How do college instructors teach writing?” my middle-school life has recently been asking, “Can everyone please just calm down?”

Writing pedagogy will have to wait. I’m trying to prevent a war over here.

The thesis continues.

Anyways, onto my actual update.

Status Update

• Literature Review – 50%??
  • Introduction – 100% Completed
  • Literature Review Section – 2/25 Sources & Annotations Completed
  • Methodology & Analysis – 100% Completed
• IRB Approval Process – 50%?
  • Application Submitted
• Living Project Description – Ongoing
  • 100% Up-to-Date
• Faculty Letter – 100%
  • 100% Completed
• Consent Form, Pre-Observation Form, Evaluation Models, all Completed

Overall, I think I am in a very good spot for my Thesis. For my presentation, I think I will share a brief overview of the evaluation models, my reflection forms, my pre-observation forms, and my project description.

It has been amazing working with Dr. Libbey. Honestly, she’s one of the coolest, down-to-earth professors I’ve ever met.