Week 10 Term 2 - End of Term 2 Reflection

Both my Level 2 and Level 3 students are working on a writing assessments - 91104 (Connections Report L2) and 91478 (Connections Report L3). The premise of the assessment is to write a report that focuses on a major theme, topic or thesis statement and explore texts that show or have a relationship to the theme. Over the last few weeks I have read and marked a number of connection reports and what impresses me the most is that the students have explore (in a critical way) how the texts connect to the theme. It is refreshing and enlightening to see how my students have interpreted the assessment. The power of reading is that it can take you into a new world and space, it can also provide a perspective that you would not normally understand or appreciate. 

Going through the reports and seeing what the students have written, providing feedback - have all led to me to reflect on myself and my journey this term. What is the key theme for me this term and what are the connections that I have made with this theme? My Level 2 students are currently working on their final draft of their Connections Report and have been using the writing framework as a guide. The writing framework is the vehicle to help the students organize and more importantly focus on the theme and how each text connects to it. I am going to use the same framework to talk about my connections - what the main theme for me was this term and what were my connections or points that helped me to stay connected. 

91107: Connections Writing Frame: Introduction

My introduction: 

Maya Angelou writes "I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." This quote resonates with me. Some of the experiences that I have gone through this term have been mentally and emotionally challenging. I will admit that there have been times where I have summoned myself to the challenge and sort of given into it. Maya Angelou concludes the quote by saying 'but I refuse to be reduced by it', for me this part of the quote resonated with me in that in my own personal challenges I have had to - at some point - not allow the frustration or the stress become something that can suffocate me or something that I become. If anything the challenges that I have experienced have been a lesson for me, a lesson in what I need to prioritize and focus on. The key theme that summarizes Term 2 for me is 'the value of self-care'. My journey over the last 10 weeks reflect one where I have learnt (the hard way) how neglecting yourself mentally, physically and emotionally can impact your work, your relationships - everything. There have been a few important texts that have helped me journey through this lesson and that have a signification connection to my theme 'the value of self care'. I want to specifically focus on ONE text which is talking to others and explore how it connects to the theme. 

91107: Connections Writing Frame: Text 1 Outline

My Text 1 outline: 

Talking to others is a text that I came across late into Term 2. The premise of this text is about the importance of talking to people when you are experiencing stress, uncertainty, frustration - all of the above. This is a text that I did not consider exploring because at the time I felt that I needed to be confident in what I was doing (even if I was not) and just keep going for the sake of momentum. The problem is that in the momentum I ended feeling really out of place and unhappy. The significant connection that this text has to the theme of 'the value of self-care' is that talking to others about what is going is a form of self care. It is a release, not a burden, to share what is going on with yourself to others. Not just sharing to anyone and everyone, but to people who you know and trust. A key takeaway from this text that I enjoyed was to that talking to others can bring clarity and perspective. I found myself sitting IN my thoughts and because I was not talking to others about it, I could not see through it. The clarity, perspective and peace that I have felt since sharing my thoughts with my close circle has been liberating. I feel lighter and not has bogged down as I had earlier on this term. I believe that the purpose of this text is to encourage everyone - I mean everyone - regardless of your age, your gender, your position - that we all experience some type of stress or hurt and that talking to others (as simple as it sounds) can be the best way to remedy the hurt. The hurt and stress will always be there but how we approach it and deal with it can help us experience it in a more healthy way. This is not just something that I can relate to but I believe that everyone can relate to. 

91107: Connections Writing Frame: Conclusion

My conclusion:

Talking to others is the text that had the most significant connection to my chosen theme 'the value of self care'. Talking to others about you truly feel, about what is heavy on your heart can be daunting, it is an incredibly vulnerable thing to do but it is also empowering. Empowering in the sense that you have been able to express and identify what is on your mind and you feel safe to share it with someone. What I have learnt from this text is that I am human and that I need to be real with myself. I know that people feel comfortable talking to me about their problems and I understand that part of my job is to listen and to be present. I became engrossed in this that I really felt voiceless. Talking to others aligns itself with the value of self care because the best care we give ourselves is attention and the need to be heard. We are able to share our story in the hope that we can find some healing in it, in the hope that we can find some closure in it. As Maya Angelou states "I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it" I too feel changed through the challenges I experienced. At time I felt bad and angry that I got myself to this point. But even more so I am grateful for this as I have learnt so much. I do not feel engrossed by the stress. I am determined to do better for myself. 

I am grateful for Term 2 and the lessons learnt. I am looking forward to the break!