Slice of humble pie anyone???

So...I knew the the road to Dissertation 2013 was going to be rocky and that my proposal and final document would take several iterations with lots of comments, criticisms and suggetsions from my committee.  But, it has been an even more humbling process that I expected.  I guess I didn't think that my writing - grammar and syntax - would be called into question.  While I know I'm not exactly the smartest person in my class and I work really hard just to get by, I didn't think I was a horrible writer either.  But today...I received the feedback from yet another draft of my proposal to my chair who expressed exreme dissapointment in my proposal - construction, writing, etc.   Again, I'm pretty real with myself...I knew this draft was far from perfect, but I really thought I took the committee's comments to consideration and submitted a much better product this time around.  Boy, was I wrong...from the tone of my chair's email, it sounds like she's frustrated with me and has requested a meeting with the Program Director...again, I know I'm not the smartest kid in the class but who knew I'd be this bad...I've never felt so dejected and even considered dropping out...yes, that would make me another statistic, but now I know why!  I really thougth I did a good job - not perfect, I know, but I had hoped that I was at least on the right track to Dissertation 2013...now I'm not so sure!

Poster Presentation Day!!!!

Getting ready to share my research...In case you're wondering,
those aren't biscuits in the basket-those are my handouts.
A creative way to share my ideas!

So today, I had the opportunity to present my research in the form of a very exciting looking poster to some wonderful faculty at Goodwin College, Drexel University. This was yet another eye-opening experience in my journey to Dissertation 2013! It was really nice to present it to faculty who were hearing it for the first time to see if my topic and overall study actually made sense. AND, while I'm still fleshing it all out with my committee, for the most part, it does make sense and is slowly starting to take shape. I loved the feedback and comments I got from both my peers and faculty at Goodwin. I'd say this is truly coaching at its best!

Engaging a faculty member...

My poster!

ACADEMIC WRITING....Quite the humbling experience...

Over the holiday break, I did a lot of work on my dissertation proposal draft.  My chair was expecting it in the New Year, after all.  As exciting was it was to put all my thoughts on paper and share it with the world, it was definitely a challenge getting it all down in a scholarly way, with scholarly citations and all.  But I muddled through it and sent it off to my chair who diligently got to the task of editing it - poor soul :(

Well....I finally got it back and boy did she take her red pen to it...LOL!  Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for all the edits...I know it will make the final product much stronger, but it was definitely humbling to see all the red marks!!!

Off to work on Draft #2!

Getting Started!

So...I've entered what might be the last year of my Ed.D program...at least if all goes as planned! Finishing up a couple more courses before really focusing on my dissertation 100%.  Actually, this blog is a result of an assignment in my most recent course EDUC 815.  I'm hoping this will help me log not only my journey but all the sources, resources and references I come across to help me reach my goal...DESTINATION 2013: DISSERTATION!

So...stay tuned and keep me posted as I make my journey!!!