This year, I had the opportunity to teach British literature for the first time — the course that made me want to teach English — and I had a wonderful time. I will be handing the course over to a colleague, and I hope she will enjoy it, too.
I also had the opportunity to go on a trip with the juniors last January.
My students collaborated with the Reflective Teacher’s class on a Holocaust project and with students at Neveh Channah Torah High School for Girls on a Israel/Judaism project.
I had the opportunity to meet up with other edubloggers at EduBloggerCon.
I was delighted to be invited to blog with Grant Wiggins. My teaching practices were transformed by his book with writing partner Jay McTighe, Understanding by Design, and I consider it one of my greatest accomplishments this year that the UbD Educators wiki was established, even if it became somewhat quiet. I hope it will catch on, and I still occasionally receive requests to join it.
In the coming year, it is my hope that my proposal for a course centered around Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces will be accepted and that I will be teaching British literature again. I would also love the opportunity to participate in more Flat Classroom projects with other schools and teachers — interested parties feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to reading The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman as part of an online PLU course I am taking beginning next week.
Funny you should mention Campbell's Hero book. It's referenced in _A Whole New Mind_ by Daniel Pink, a book I'm teaching this spring. As a comic book hero fan, I think I'd really enjoy reading about the hero's quest as told by many civilizations. It also would make an AWESOME course! Good luck on getting the class accepted.
Hi Dana – I created an archetypal cave in Second Life using parts of Campbell's Hero myth. I would be happy to share that with you and your students.
Dana, your post went up on The Faculty Room today. We're so happy you've joined in the conversation!