Final Reflection

This term has been a strenuous one, but a learning process as well. There were many roadblocks along the way, but there was alway people who believed that I could continue the course and complete it within reason. Up until this past semester, my academic journey was fairly smooth with very few issues and then as this fall semester began, illnesses arose and took over the past 2 months of my professional and personal life. It began with a simple loss of voice which grew into a consistent silence, various tests, poking, prodding, sleepless nights, missing days of work, being sent home from teaching, and feeling as if no matter what I did, it wasn't going to get better. It is amazing how a simple illness can take over all aspects of one's existence. I think it is particularly hard when a person is a perfectionist and they have to deal with something they can't stop that keeps them from completing everything they are used to completing in a seamless way. Luckily, because of the support of my husband, family, professor and various peers such as Gary and T.Rhodes, who were wonderful throughout the past term in listening, helping, and working with me to complete my tasks within a reasonable amount of time. I think it is important to take a step back sometimes, look at the issues in front of you, and make the best decision for yourself and your family. Luckily, I also had a wonderful administrator who has empathasized with my situation and inability to teach without a voice, so I was able to take time off in the next week to get caught up on work, bills, and my first KAM, which I had almost completed before I got sick. At 29, it is hard to deal with being sick continuously year after year. Sometimes it does seem that it is one thing after another, with no rhyme or reason to it all. What has kept me going is the faith of my friends and family, my wonderful students who brighten each and every day, a love of the content I teach each day, a drive to keep going and do the best I can, and an acute awareness of what is really important. This last class helped me so much in how I incorporate technology into my daily classroom lessons. It has opened me up to all kinds of new tools that I can pursue and research and maybe even write a grant to obtain for my school. Since I am a member of my Technology Action Team at my school, it has also allowed me to take what I have learned and go back and share that information with others on the team at my school. I have also recently considered taking up the profession of teaching online, since I love teaching, I love the content and technology, and if my illness doesn't get better, it may solve the problem of having to vocalize all of my lessons. For right now, I am happy where I am, but in the future the possibilities are limitless. I hope to hear from everyone in the future and please keep in touch. I plan to continue using this blog into my next course and I would love to hear from everyone in their Ph.D journey!
Sincerely,
Heather Abbott