Concluding Framing Statement
My theme for this portfolio is-communication, collaboration, and critical thinking sparks growth. Think about a spark of a fire for a moment…what happens to that spark after it is started? It can burn out, it can get out of control, or it can bring warmth, joy, and contentment. Thinking about my portfolio in these terms helps me think about the kind of care that needs to go into learning and development both for myself and the learning and development I inspire/spark in other people. I must be cognizant of the time and tending that needs to be present to promote careful growth in myself and others. The spark is what starts it all, what comes next is the lifelong journey. My portfolio is just the start, it is just the spark, and it is just the beginning of the learning that will take place in my life.
My portfolio shares my graduate story: highlighting each course I took in the program, sharing my resume, including a video about my passions, including important artifacts from my learning, and bringing it all together with introductions and conclusions which help me reflect upon my time as a student. My portfolio captures much of the learning and growth that I have deemed significant in my time as a graduate student. It also helps the reader understand who I am as a person and what I value. When someone reads my portfolio they should quickly be able to see the growth that took place in me throughout my time as a graduate student.
One thing I appreciated about creating this portfolio, was being able to bring all my learning together in one place and reflect upon it. Throughout my time in this program, I have taken time to reflect on the connections between courses and to see my learning build upon itself. However, this portfolio reflection has allowed me to see the connections between all my learning and see the full picture of my growth and development as a learner, teacher, professional, and person. As the Assistant Director of Admissions at Ivy Tech Lafayette, I have the privilege of working with many students who are new to the higher education world; with this new world comes uncertainly, excitement, fear, and determination. I was surprised at the special connection I felt with these students, as I too was embarking on a new academic journey and felt many of their same emotions during my time in this program.
I appreciate the little things, like those connections, and the big things like being able to apply theory in my practice, understanding how adults learn, creating environments that promote learning, understanding how power and voice effect a student’s engagement in the classroom, and ultimately learning how to be a lifelong learner. This program has opened my eyes to the intricacies of teaching and learning that is taken for granted. It has given me the tools to not only help myself be successful, but to also help those around me reach their full potential.
As I look towards the future, I am incredibly excited to continue to use all the knowledge I have gained in these past two years to improve my skills and abilities as a professional. I am also excited about the new opportunities that will open up for me, not only because I will have my master’s degree, but also because I will have more time to be able to invest in my professional goals. In the next two years, I plan on expanding my professional abilities through involvement in professional organizations, teaching a course for the first time, having more time to read professional books, creating an admissions manual, and hopefully going through leadership training through my work to allow me to improve my leadership abilities. In the next five years, I hope to be involved with/in a position that allows me to have a more involved role in students’ full academic journeys. My passion is to see people reach their full potential.
I have learned a lot about myself in the past two years both as a professional and a person. I am not averse to change and I enjoy a challenge, which is what I believe makes me an adaptable and growth-filled professional. I know that life is going to be filled with opportunities for me to learn and embrace new challenges or reject them; I choose to embrace. I have learned that I like to learn. Understanding this about myself makes me excited about my future. New doors of opportunities and adventures await those who like to learn. This life is incredible and I know there are new experiences, ideas, and adventures awaiting me, both personally and professionally. Cheers to the next adventures in life!
My portfolio shares my graduate story: highlighting each course I took in the program, sharing my resume, including a video about my passions, including important artifacts from my learning, and bringing it all together with introductions and conclusions which help me reflect upon my time as a student. My portfolio captures much of the learning and growth that I have deemed significant in my time as a graduate student. It also helps the reader understand who I am as a person and what I value. When someone reads my portfolio they should quickly be able to see the growth that took place in me throughout my time as a graduate student.
One thing I appreciated about creating this portfolio, was being able to bring all my learning together in one place and reflect upon it. Throughout my time in this program, I have taken time to reflect on the connections between courses and to see my learning build upon itself. However, this portfolio reflection has allowed me to see the connections between all my learning and see the full picture of my growth and development as a learner, teacher, professional, and person. As the Assistant Director of Admissions at Ivy Tech Lafayette, I have the privilege of working with many students who are new to the higher education world; with this new world comes uncertainly, excitement, fear, and determination. I was surprised at the special connection I felt with these students, as I too was embarking on a new academic journey and felt many of their same emotions during my time in this program.
I appreciate the little things, like those connections, and the big things like being able to apply theory in my practice, understanding how adults learn, creating environments that promote learning, understanding how power and voice effect a student’s engagement in the classroom, and ultimately learning how to be a lifelong learner. This program has opened my eyes to the intricacies of teaching and learning that is taken for granted. It has given me the tools to not only help myself be successful, but to also help those around me reach their full potential.
As I look towards the future, I am incredibly excited to continue to use all the knowledge I have gained in these past two years to improve my skills and abilities as a professional. I am also excited about the new opportunities that will open up for me, not only because I will have my master’s degree, but also because I will have more time to be able to invest in my professional goals. In the next two years, I plan on expanding my professional abilities through involvement in professional organizations, teaching a course for the first time, having more time to read professional books, creating an admissions manual, and hopefully going through leadership training through my work to allow me to improve my leadership abilities. In the next five years, I hope to be involved with/in a position that allows me to have a more involved role in students’ full academic journeys. My passion is to see people reach their full potential.
I have learned a lot about myself in the past two years both as a professional and a person. I am not averse to change and I enjoy a challenge, which is what I believe makes me an adaptable and growth-filled professional. I know that life is going to be filled with opportunities for me to learn and embrace new challenges or reject them; I choose to embrace. I have learned that I like to learn. Understanding this about myself makes me excited about my future. New doors of opportunities and adventures await those who like to learn. This life is incredible and I know there are new experiences, ideas, and adventures awaiting me, both personally and professionally. Cheers to the next adventures in life!