Hope you get a break!

Hi Friends,

I'm still away on my wedding trip... back middle of next week! Just wanted to drop a note and say that I hope you all get some downtime this weekend!

Back on track next week.

cheers,

Harriet

Cheering you on!

Hi Friends,

I'll be offline until next week... I'm getting married this weekend!

So, I'm cheering you on in your work... and wishing you all the best!

more next week,

Harriet

Here's to our school buddies!

Hi Friends,

Today I had the pleasure and thrill of watching my good friend Lisa defend her dissertation at Antioch Santa Barbara. Lisa did a wonderful job -- both with her presentation and in fielding questions after the presentation. Lisa and I have been each other's go-to person in our cohort. We have cheered each other on, vented when we needed to, asked for reality checks, laughed, and also helped each other with the work. Lisa and I didn't know each other before we began the Antioch program, but we became fast friends, and have both agreed that we can't imagine having done the program without the other.

For some of us, having a close friend in our class is an important element of managing the stress and celebrating the good stuff of academic journeys.

So this post is dedicated to good academic friends, the ones who help us through, help us laugh, and are there to lend a shoulder or kick in the butt when we need it. If you have a good school buddy, send this post along as a thank you!

I took the photo above earlier this year. Lisa loves pink -- so Lisa, excuse me, Dr. Graham... this one's for you!

cheers,

Harriet

Saturday morning cartoon - The Dog and the Butcher

Hi All,

Here is your saturday video:

The Dog and The Butcher

Be well!

Harriet

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

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 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

Recycled quilts encourage me!

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

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

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 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