the encouragement lounge

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Nickels and dimes....

Hi All,

Here is a column from the Chronicle of Higher Ed, with strategies to deal with student loan (and other) debt:

In Debt to Your Degree

More soon,

Harriet

Monday, May 10, 2010

Congratulations May Graduates!!!!

Hi All,

To any of you who are graduating this spring -- big congratulations from The Encouragement Lounge! Hope you have planned time to celebrate and relax (even a little bit!) -- you've earned it!

All the best!

Harriet

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Saturday morning cartoon - Mary Worth Dancing Queen

Hi Friends,

This is pretty weird! Enjoy! And good luck with the work!

Mary Worth Dancing Queen

cheers,

Harriet

Friday, May 7, 2010

The other day I heard from one of my former students, Renae Neumeyer, who is now an art teacher. Her students made quilts from recycled materials... the story and photos inspired me, so I share it with you!

From Renae:

The art show is comprised exclusively of select 8th grade Recycled Quilts from my CMS art classes. The “quilts” are made from traditional quilt templates but rather than fabric they are made with…trash! This project was our art room Earth Day initiative. Thanks again to the CMS students and staff for your help collecting packaging for this project!

I hope you enjoy pictures below, but also get a chance to stop by and see the work in person. I have attached the show flier with directions. Thanks for your support of this CMS community-based art show!

Sincerely,

Renae Neumeyer
Art Teacher
Carson Middle School

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Learning Space

"Dialogue education is about creating a learning space in which learners feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. It is a profound thing to be treated as someone who belongs -- with a voice and a right to take part in your own learning -- regardless of content or curriculum."

--Jane Vella (from On Teaching and Learning: Putting the Principles and Practices of Dialogue Education into Action, 2008)

Do you typically feel a sense of belonging in your learning space (classroom or online)? What helps you to feel that you belong? What helps you to feel included? Do you contribute to others' feelings of belonging and inclusion?

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

Photo by HLS

Monday, May 3, 2010

Looking toward summer

Hi All,

Wow, it's May already! For some, this brings the end of the semester and some time off, but most of us will be doing coursework or research and writing through much of the summer. Nonetheless, this is a good time to stop and reflect on this past year. Did you grow in ways that you expected? Were there any academic surprises? Did you discover any new strengths?

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Saturday morning video -- September covered by Pomplamoose

Hi All,

Happy Saturday morning.

This video is good fun (if you have time, watch the interview at the end...)!

September

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.