Introduction, part 3

The following is a copy of my responses to my instructor's questions. I have included the entire email correspondence because I appreciate her encouraging words.

"From: Khalsa, DattaKaurSent: Sun 9/16/2007 11:31 AMTo: Thompson, Sharon Subject: RE: Your introduction
Sharon,
Your answers to my questions is so, so sincere and thoughtful. I think I would post it as is...such a nice job. Let me know if you need me to answer your interview questions. I would gladly and then post yours or...
You could pass these wonderful answers you've given me to either John or Sandy for a 'classmate-to-classmate' interview. I'll await your answer. Either way is just fine!
Datta Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D. Graduate Faculty School of Education University of Wisconsin - Stout Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University
-----Original Message----- From: Thompson, Sharon G Sent: Sun 9/16/2007 9:39 AM To: Khalsa, DattaKaur Subject: RE: Your introduction Datta Kaur,
Thank you for those questions. I appreciate questions that immediately deepen the level of the conversation away from small talk!
First, let me tell you that I am a middle school social studies teacher. I have been teaching for 24 years in private Christian schools. After founding a K12 Christian school in northern Wisconsin (along with a lot of help from my friends) not long out of college, I became its administrator for 12 years. My husband is a public school technology teacher, which includes woods and construction. His job brought us to Madison, Wisconsin 11 years ago, where he is near retirement in a public school, I have been teaching in a large Christian school here for 10 years. It was a difficult move, since our roots are very deep in northern Wisconsin. However, we've had many wonderful challenges since then that help us to call this home for now.
My happiest moments are when my whole family is together. We have 5 children and 7 beautiful grandchildren (all under the age of 8), and since we moved, our times together are precious. I enjoy seeing the success of our 4 boys with their families (two of them are married). Our daughter is the youngest at 16, and we enjoy sharing her home schooling. She is actually in a public virtual school this year and loves it! So I would have to say that it makes me very happy to see our family growing and embracing the values that I hold dear.
Professionally, my happiest moments are when I can weave into my teaching the study of worldviews. That has been a particular interest of mine and I enjoy integrating its study into my world history classes.
I am tempted here to say that I could never go without my morning cup of coffee. J However, I have had to do that several times in the last year after several major surgeries. I had a total knee replacement six weeks ago, and it takes a while to recover from that, I found. The one thing that I would never want to do without is my faith. I can take that with me wherever I go and in whatever I do, regardless of difficult circumstances. I really can't think of much else that is not subject to change and loss, even though I may view it as an essential of life. So I have tried to hold loosely to the "things" of life (notice I said "tried").
I am sure that if I were not involved in this program, it would be in another educational pursuit. Reading, learning and discovering new ways to be involved in education, has always filled up my spare time. I would, however, enjoy having more time to be with my daughter especially in the next few years. This is one of the reasons for starting on this program. If I am able to teach online, it could mean that I would be more accessible to her, and also prepare for a move when my husband retires in a few years.
Sorry this is so long. Hope you can glean a few useable things from this conversation...
Sharon"

Introduction, part 2

"More about Sharon T.
Sharon T. is an experienced middle school social studies teacher. She describes her happiest moments when she is able to weave the study of world viewsinto her teaching. She has founded a school, loves her morning coffee, values time with family and has had to practice her faith to overcome the changes (leaving extended family and moving to a new community) and challenges she has faced. Sharon is a person that I would like to get to know better because of the many things that we have in common.Sandra, OH"

My Introduction, part 1

These introductions were fun and sometimes I think it would have been good to interview with each classmate. However, that would be a huge job! Someday, when there's more time, right?
I was introduced twice since several needed someone to interview. I will post each, and also the responses I sent to my instructor.
"Intro for Sharon T.
I would like to introduce Sharon Thompson. Sharon is from the Madison, Wisconsin area where she teaches middle school social studies. She has been teaching for 24 years in private Christian schools. Before that, she founded and was the administrator for a K12 Christian school for 12 years. Sharon's husband is also a teacher. He teaches tech ed in a public school and is looking forward to retirement soon.Sharon enjoys spending time with her family. She has 5 children (4 boys and a girl) and 7 grandchildren – all grandchildren are under the age of 8! If teaching full-time isn't enough, she home schools her 16-year-old daughter. Sharon hopes to spend more time with her youngest in the next few years, which is one of the reasons for starting in this program.In her spare time, Sharon enjoys reading, learning and discovering new ways to be involved in education. Her strong faith has helped her through several major surgeries in the past year, including a knee replacement six weeks ago. I look forward to having class with you again, Sharon!Jennifer@Lititz, PA"