TAMARA
Program Director
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TAMARA
Program Director
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As I make final preparations for our group of 8 participants to travel to Germany next week, I can’t help but reflect on the 8 participants who recently returned from Chile as part of a similar program within our International PDS consortium.
While abroad, the IPDS-Chile group also shared their experiences through individual blogs. I was able to stay up-to-date on the participants’ entries, as well as those of program leader Angela Patti, and was impressed with the sentiments many shared. In particular, as each day unfolds towards Europe and I will embark on my own role as program facilitator, I work to keep in mind one particular insight shared by Dr. Patti: Plans are just possibilities. Like Dr. Patti, I rely and thrive on lists and plans that are checked and rechecked (and..."Bev, can you check this for me one last time?"). Although I am comfortable with making changes once we arrive at a destination, prior to that I want every piece of the original schedule to align perfectly and to be outlined in great detail. For me there are few things so frustrating as realizing a gap or overlap in a plan once it’s already been implemented, especially if the mistake could have been avoided. So I review the schedule daily, playing out each excursion in my head to make sure nothing is amiss. At this point I am happy to say it feels solid. The most I can do is aesthetic but really, how many times can a girl adjust fonts and spacing? (It's endless, trust me). Plans are just possibilities. A perfect mantra for those of us who generally consider agendas a published manuscript, and view any internal or external spoils as we might a snowstorm on a July picnic. Then again…if it snows in July, what else is there to do but pull on some boots, grab a hot cocoa, and make snow angels? This is one thing I love about travel. For all the organizing and Plan B preparing, once a trip has begun you just have to ride the ride. There really isn’t another choice. You can’t delete and redo. You can’t take your ball and go home. Every adjustment is a personal test. Am I going to take a breath and find the answer? Or freak out and STILL have to find the answer? I'm excited to get to know this new group of participants and to take our plan and see what possibilities lie ahead.
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AuthorThrough my work in the SOE dean's office I have the great fortune of facilitating two international programs - Germany and Dominican Republic - and working with faculty to coordinate all of the unit's International teach and study abroad efforts. In addition I serve as the communications director for the unit, managing the websites, events, and publications. My background is in English (literature and writing), Spanish, and education, with a current focus on Waldorf and Montessori models of education. ArchivesCategories |