Summer 2009
I started a doctoral program last fall to learn how to save the world. But from the world I must first learn. We are currently studying the levels and sources of poverty around the world. But amidst the troubling statistics, we are learning how to find hope to solve this crisis. It is not a problem only in subsaharan Africa, it is everywhere, including my hometown, my neighborhood.
Originally, I was to join a group traveling to South Africa this summer, but at 32 weeks pregnant it is a no go.
I was lucky and brave enough to travel solo to South Africa in 2005 where I witnessed the stark poverty in which people live. I met beautiful people, joyful children, and hopeful mothers. I met struggling families, hungry children and desperate mothers too. I saw how deep racism cuts in everyday life for citizens and businesses in the country.
Someone's home in Durban, South Africa-2005
Next summer will offer different opportunities for travel abroad-probably not to South Africa, but no matter where I am able to travel, I will have the same goals.
Personal goals: Learn from every single experience!
Resources: How do schools and families do without and thrive?
Politics: How are schools impacted and how do they interact with local politics?
Teachers: What do they do day in and out and what keeps them going?
Students: What motivates them? What are their career goals?
Community: How does the community get involved in education? How are partnerships formed?
Diversity: In diverse areas, how do school leaders unite the school communities?
Professional leadership goals:
Aspects of culture I hope to observe:
Schools (of course)
Family dynamics
Women in leadership positions
Support agencies in the area that are making a difference
Who is my audience when I return to share my experiences?
Every possible person who will listen
