Hello, dear colleagues! We are nearly half-way through this remarkable and difficult quarter. We know that many of you are already experimenting with helping students tell stories about what they are experiencing, giving them opportunities to make meaning out of hardship and loss. The Academic Statement, whatever you feel about it as a requirement, is another chance for them to reflect on and integrate what they are learning this quarter into the broader context of their educational journey. We encourage you to make time for talking about Academic Statements in your 5th week conferences. In those conferences, or in your in-class workshops, you might pose questions like:
- How have the events of Spring 2020 led you to think differently about your academic focus and your future goals?
- What new kinds of learning have you discovered yourself capable of in the current crisis?
We would love to brainstorm with you about other prompts and activities. Email the Learning and Teaching Commons and we will be in touch to arrange a meeting. In addition, you may want to:
- Encourage students to make appointments at the Writing Center by contacting schedule.evergreenwritingcenter@gmail.com
- Direct students to Academic and Career Advising to talk about how they might frame their work at Evergreen. Luis Apolaya Torres (Luis.Apolaya_Torres@evergreen.edu) has particular interest and expertise in this topic
- Consult the Mentoring and Academic Statement Canvas site
However you choose to approach the project of making meaning with your students; we’re grateful for the effort you are making, and we want to hear about your successes and challenges!
In community,
Elizabeth Williamson
JuliA Metzker
