Joy Is In the Second Mile

Another teacher once asked me why I put forth so much effort in my teaching. After thinking about it for a few minutes I responded, "Because the joy is in the second mile."

As I have worked on my doctorate this past year I've found the work we are required to do to be quite grueling, and more often than not I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water so as not to drown. Yet, what is keeping me motivated is when I stay focused on the learning rather than on the grade or degree.

When I stay focused on the learning I do things like:

• Share studies, books, articles, and other info with classmates, professors, and/or others related to the research work they are doing
• Meet people, like researchers and "shakers and movers,"--- learning from and sharing with them, even if it is just through email
• Share ideas and thoughts with classmates, professors, and/or others on how to apply what we are learning
• Use the papers I write and other assignments to launch real life applications to make a difference
• Attend conferences, seminars, speeches related to my topic of interest
• Stay passionate on learning from all kinds of sources
• Accept feedback as an opportunity to improve and grow in order to do excellent/quality work
• Write articles with professors who have similar interests

While doing all these things maybe I'll eventually be able to also earn that PhD. In the meantime, I'll just take one step at a time putting one foot in front of the other....and keep on learning with a joyful heart.

Quality work

I had worked literally hundreds of hours on a research paper for my class with Dr. Julie Hite. I was so proud that I had even turned it into her early. Therefore, when she contacted me to say that she strongly recommended that I revise it, I was stunned.

I didn't think I had it in me to give the paper one more ounce of energy, time, or thought. Yet, once the shock subsided, I realized the great opportunity she was giving---to do better.

Through this experience I was reminded of Dr. William Glasser's work and his definition of quality: Quality is constant improvement. There is also another quote that is relevant: Dr Al Mamary has defined quality work as “… the best that a student can do at this time”. This is a useful definition as it suggests there are a number of variables involved and that the pursuit of quality is an ongoing journey.

As soon as I acknowledged that my first submitted paper really was the best I could do at the time because of a variety of variables, it didn't mean that it was the best I would be capable of doing. In other words, once my knowledge was expanded, I would have the tools to improve it.

Thank you, Dr. Hite, for causing me to stretch by:

1. Understanding I was doing the best I could at the time
2. Acknowledging the strengths of the paper....and my personal strengths as well
3. Giving me suggestions on how to improve
4. Being there to guide and support me on the journey

...so that I can constantly improve.

Approaching our diverse learners like a Dr. Julie Hite will be giving them a most valuable gift.... even if they may not realize or appreciate it at first.