Our Retreat Day- A Great Success part 1

Hello my little darlings.

Thank you to Joey, Carol, Ann, Denise and Morgan for all your thoughts at the retreat today!
Roger, Deanne and Tracey, we missed having you there!

We met at the magnificent Presentation Sisters retreat at 9:00am. It is such a beautiful place next to a pond and we were very happy to have the opportunity to gather there. We were greeted by one of the sisters and she showed us into our meeting area. Everyone brought along some food and it was all very exciting.

We started our meeting by decided what to do first. We decided to take some time to talk about our experience with reading over the transcripts, and share our ideas on what we pulled from them. I asked if Carol would take notes for us; thank you Carol!

1. I started as I had transcript number one. I outlined the points that I found interesting which led into many discussions around the topics we've been focusing on throughout the research process. I talked a lot about ideas we had in the past that we turned into action, such as the need to go outside the group and into the Murphy Centre community, and information gathering. We talked about how we find local knowledge to be more real than written or textbook knowledge, and gave it meaning to us by talking about different ways we engage in discovering local knowledge (IE: Denise talks to other parents to gain knowledge on parenting). I outlined some ideas of things I felt strongly about and wanted to discuss more in the future, such as semesterized high schools. I also dug up ideas that for some reason were forgotten or buried, with hopes of renewing the research in regards to them. I also picked out key points and feelings that different individuals had and posed the question of, "Do they feel the same way now?". These are just brief notes on what I had to say (trust me, they don't do it justice). We tape recorded this session so it will be available for those of you who were absent to go over on your own when it is ready.

2. After I was finished going though my transcript Joey started on his. He also highlighted the points that he felt close to, such as fund raising, active living, etc. Joey also brought up forgiveness, and although he did not initially think he was on topic with what we were talking about, we were quick to let him know that forgiveness is a huge part of what we are doing and is really really relevant. This concept of forgiveness especially hit home for Denise who shared some thoughts of what forgiveness means to her and within our research. Again, for those of you who were absent you will be able to go over the new transcripts in more detail to get a better understanding of the richness and wonderfulness of our conversations.

3. Ann then talked about the points she picked out from her transcript. She talked about the current system and how people's different learning styles can be accommodated in a classroom setting, but when it comes to the public exam it cannot. We discussed this in more detail. Ann felt especially passionate about my use of the word 'togetherness' and we discussed ways to achieve togetherness within the Murphy Centre. Ann told us about her relationship with Roger, and how what began as Roger's want for art in the centre's curriculum, throughout this research, transformed into a knowing of his future career path in the arts. Ann thanks this research group for allowed her to build a relationship with Roger, which may have greatly influenced his future path. We talked about where we are now in relation to where we were before we started this research, and we all agreed that in one way or another it greatly impacted our lives. We discussed the ideas of a JC and lots lots more. Again, you can read the new transcripts to capture all of this.

4. We took a break to have lunch. Thank you everyone for contributing those delicious treats, and thank you Dad (Harold Brown) for donating a pizza and some other items to our research group.

5. After lunch break Denise (who had to leave early) talked a bit about the powerfulness of dialog. Although she did not get a chance to go over a transcript, she had a lot of wonderful insight on what the research means for her and how it's impacted her life. Thank you Denise!

6. Then Carol went on to talk about the things in her section of the transcript. Unfortunately the notes I have here were taken by Carol, so she hasn't really left me much about what she said, but from what I can remember she mainly reinforced ideas that had already been brought forth. When I read the transcripts I know I'll kick myself for forgetting, but forgive me, it's been a lot to ingest today! Sorry Carol! <3

7. For the last hour or so we worked on a few things. First, we created a table of contents for our final report. Not in any specific order, we listed the things we'd like to include. Please, Roger, Deanne and Tracey, please feel free to offer suggestions for this!
Table of Contents (in no specific order)
- Introduction to US- Who are we?
- Overview of purpose and description of research.
- Our research process
- Changes we wanted, changes we actualized, and the personal impact it had on us.
- The 'next steps' section (into motion; future suggestions)
- Comparison between facilitator and participant interviews using the Wheel of Fortune.
- Narratives/ Personal Stories/ Quotes
- The speech from achievement night (more details to follow)
- Photos
- Our blogging experience (use sample blogs)
- Dissemination (how we release our findings)
- Helps and Hinders

8. Then we brainstormed the "Helpers" and "Hinders" that we encountered throughout our research.
Helpers:
- Flexibility of action research model (Morgan?)
- Diversity of our group
- Tim Turner and Tim Thorne
- Food (Ann)
- Financial support from MUN (Linda)
- Sense of connection (a reoccurring theme)
- Informality (fun, real, non-judgmental) (Morgan/Ann?)
- It was motivation
- Supports and relationships
- Passions
- Sense of responsibility (Linda)
- Feeling privileged to hear people's stories (Carol)
- Making a difference (Joey)
- Being together
- Seeing changes happen (Joey)
- Blog
- Attitude
- It's organic (Ann)
- Equality of everyone involved
- Quality of group
- Diversity and commonality
- A strong belief and longing for youth voice
- The action we take
- A lot of positive feedback from facilitators

Hinders:
- Time constraints (All)
- Personal/ Professional demands (Ann)
- Weather (Carol)
- Illness/ Health Issues
- Start time too late in the year (Morgan)
- Lack of interest from participants (Linda)
- Missed meetings
- Administrative red tape (Linda)
- Students not going to school (Joey)
- Passions
- Technological stuff (trouble with blog, god forbid!)
- Personal perceptions can limit things (Ann?)
- Policies
- Lack of respect for action research (because it's not quantitative people treat it as if it's not legitimate) (Ann)
- Fear of not being able to make a difference (Joey)
- Overwhelming (Linda)
- Inconsistent attendance
- Responsibility

I then looked at our long list of Hinders and I challenged the group to derive some positive for all these negatives. The group liked this idea, and we started brainstorming what kinds of things we learned and obstacles we've overcome despite our hinders. The list is as follows:
- (In regards to time) We did our best to be flexible with time.
- Blogging, Transcripts
- We did it even if we were afraid
- We worked around the constraints of policy
- We're more trusting as individuals
- We capitalized on the advantages of having fewer people
- MUN budget didn't allow food so we found our own (either made it ourself or found donations)
- We became more connected
- Our meetings were so rich and that outweighs the hinders
- We gained a passion for social justice in community and education
- We learned adaptability
- We were in a place where we were welcomed and accepted

9. We wrapped up, and took some pictures for a bulletin we want to create for the Murphy Centre directed at raising awareness of what we have accomplished. We decided we still need to meet as a team to go over details of the final report, and to discuss our plans for dissemination.

Hope this is helpful! Again, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to read over the transcripts. I cannot even come close to capturing the richness of our day at the retreat and I hope everyone can make some time to look over it! If some of you who were at the retreat could fill in some of the missing pieces that would be great!

Praise Jesus!!!

In regards to education, thinking/acting/preaching outside the box is still considered radical. It still will never be the core of education, although it should be. A high school history course taught about peaceful resolutions to conflicts and honourable leaders of the past is considered "alternative". World History 3201 focuses on the wars of the world, and in order to achieve a passing grade you are forced to learn about these wars. I agree, they are important, but why aren't peaceful resolutions and those heroes from our history in the books we require to graduate? In English 3201 you study Shakespeare who, though I admire him, is not the best we could be studying. Although I am not overly familiar with names of authors and poets, I know there is better out there because I've read/seen/heard it. Novels are picked for us and we have to study and interpret them. There are so many fabulous pieces of literature out there and many diverse interests amongst people.

What it boils down to, is that education needs to be more individualized. It is so vital and life-giving that it needs to accommodate each and every individual. I agree with thinking "outside the box" and see myself as somewhat a radical. However, I have also learned and strongly believe that we should also be working "inside the box" with the resources we already have. Each individual within the regular system has the opportunity to do "radical" things. A history teacher could propose an alternative history course that does focus on the peaceful resolutions of our history. Perhaps maybe at first it could be offered as an alternative course, but over time if the Board of Education witnessed that these students were doing better in their alternative course than in the regular course, then they may consider changing things. As long as there is an openness to change (it's not like we're saying NO RULES or NO WORK) than I can't see why the "higher powers" wouldn't want us to be more successful. These are just examples, it's like this with anything. People can create change from within the system, there just has to be a will, a want and an openness.

Discovery Days

Wow. What a day.

I had to cancel lunch with my Nanny (sorry Nan) because Ann McCann called me wondering if I would please go to a conference with her today. I said yes, as it had to do with research and funding and stuff, and when i went I had such a great time. I walked into a fancy conference room at the Ramada, had a nice lunch, and sat with a table of very wonderful people. Some were social workers, educators, and other professionals who were interested in the wellbeing of children and youth. Hosted by Kathy LeGrow (nee Pratt), it was a meeting to discuss an upcoming foundation that is to be established called the Pratt Foundation. Kathy and her family have decided to create this foundation to fund research directed towards children and families at risk in NL. It was so interesting and every single person had something different to bring to the table. Ann and I put forth our ideas from the perspective of an alternative learning facility, there was a lady there who worked in Foster Care, a woman who worked with children with extensive mental needs, a retired teacher, a lawyer, etc etc. Each person brought their experience and their knowledge to the table and it was all around really wonderful. There was another youth there that i knew from before and we actually saw each other at the mall after and talked more about our meeting. I have so many ideas and contributions to put forth but it's all so overwhelming. Education was a big topic of discussion as well as family violence and drugs/alcohol. All, of course, co-exist.

Then after this I had my first shift with my new job- selling home security systems. the other new guy and I were there with the boss and we were going door to door to try to sell security systems. I was skeptical at first but I figured I'd give it a shot and it would be a learning experience more than anything. When Zach (the other new guy) and I got to talking my suspicions came to light and we ended up discussing what a scum bag and scam artist our boss was, and decided it definitely wasn't for us. lol. Oh well I gave it a shot, and I might do it again, but I'm definitely not overly concerned about it. And, I made a great new friend (Zach) who I hope I'll get to see more of! He's gay, so hahahahah I feel more comfortable around him (I get along better with gay guys) and he's going for Med School so it's refreshing to meet someone who's interested in similar things that I am.

I start volunteering at Glenbrook Lodge on Sunday, assisting residence back and forth from morning mass. I am so excited. I can't wait to actually begin to do some good in the world. Not that working at the Cellar isn't a contribution to society, but I want to do something for the good of humanity. I can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Ann for bringing me to the conference. I hope I can be more involved in what Kathy wishes to pursue..

Softball tomorrow morning with school! Should be a laugh and a half. Off tomorrow so I'll be studyingggg a lot. And then work Thursday, POTLUCK Friday and work Saturday. A pretty fulfilling week if I do say so!

Organizing my time.

3 jobs.

It's going to be a busy summer.

My schedule for this week is jammed. I love being busy though, it keeps me going.

Tomorrow is school and studying to the max, and I have to take photos for a bulletin we're doing for our research group. I'm hoping that I can start my new job selling home security systems tomorrow. Not the most glamorous job but it brings in some money.

Tuesday I have school until 11 where I have to pick up the transcripts from Morgan to read over. Lunch with Nanny is my little escape after that, and then studying. Tuesday night I am supposed to go St. Phillips to do the workship with the elementary kids with CPAWS, so I hope I'm still doing that.


Wednesday is school again and alas more studying, and hopefully some more work with the new security system job. I think I'll have time on Wednesday to go over the transcripts as well.

Thursday is school and work at the Cellar.

Friday is my POTLUCK!! :) :) :)

Saturday is work at 2. Hopefully some hoolahooping beforehand is it's sunny.

And in between all of this I'll hopefully have some time to go up the East Coast Trail, do some volunteering at CPAWS, and hoolahoop!


I can't wait until the paychecks start coming in. It's going to be a big relief, being able to dedicate whole paychecks to bills and whatnot, and then having some to save! This is the beginning of the beginning. I am still collecting donations ;)