Wrapping Up the Year...and Looking Forward to Next Semester!

Rather than reflecting on theories or practices of education, I just wanted to provide an update on what is going on in my life in terms of education.

I decided to let my tutoring job go, even though it has been a real highlight of my week. The main reason why I left is because I am not spending enough time focusing on my thesis, and even though I really enjoy the job I definitely cannot afford to spend more time in grad school than my scholarship allows. It's a pity really, but I know there will be many more opportunities in the future to work with bright students like the ones I had. I feel like not only did we learn a great deal about math and history together, but also about life. It's one of the great benefits of working one-on-one with students--that you become not only a teacher but part of your students' support system as well.

I've also wrapped up my tutorials and submitted the grades on my students' final exams. On our last day, I had a 'Study Jeopardy' game I put together to help them review the concepts from the course. As a prize I brought in a box of timbits for each tutorial and the winning team in each tutorial shared with everyone. I feel like we have some very smart and compassionate students in our first year program, and I really hope they continue to be involved in philosophy. Probably many of them will go on to law school and I hope they retain their high-minded ideals. I'm very proud to be a role model to them and to show them what it means to be a student at McMaster. I will admit philosophy of law isn't exactly my forte, but that didn't stop them from giving me a round of applause on our last day, and even a hug from one student.

As my private tutoring and tutorials at the university wrap up, I'm spending the holidays getting organized for next semester. I'm really excited about everything coming up. I will be TAing for moral issues, one of my favourite courses, with our new lecturer who I really admire. I will be working with many of my friends, and I might even be able to do a guest lecture, which I feel is really the next step in my professional development. In January, I will be meeting the organizers of the McMaster Children and Youth University, which I discussed in my previous entry, and of course I'm still applying to conferences. Since this is my last semester, I also need to start thinking about work. Even though I feel I'm ready and well-prepared to start my career, I can't help but be a bit nervous. All this is on my mind as I enter the new year. I suppose this time of year is all about being excited about future projects.

Which reminds me--I hope you have a great holiday and your New Years goals all come to fruition!

McMaster Children and Youth University

If there is one piece of advice I could give students for how to have an engaging and rewarding academic career, it's to keep up on email. Sorting through all the emails various departments send out can be a draining chore, but every once in a while it can lead to an exciting opportunity.

For example, I just recently learned about the McMaster Children and Youth University and I'm very excited. First, because there is an opportunity for local youth to engage with the university and learn more about university-level research in a fun and accessible way (what a brilliant, community-enriching idea!) Second, because they are looking for people to help with this project (and I am just the person!) and third, because this could be an opportunity to do some Philosophy for Children!

I have only run a few Philosophy for Children sessions in the past but I have enjoyed them immensely. The idea that children can engage in philosophy is gaining popularity in the philosophy community, (as a matter of fact, I just found out about a new journal on the subject) and understandably so. Philosophy for Children allows people to have early contact and familiarity with what we do, which is important if we want the respect and understanding of the public. Many of us have had early experiences in science, we understand what science is about and respect it as a discipline, but the general public tends to have a foggy concept of what philosophy is and why it is important. I genuinely believe the best way to show people isn't by explaining what great philosophers have said, but by inviting them to participate in the process.

Furthermore, it's not very often I find a venue for doing these projects. In the past I have had opportunities to work with children in classrooms and conferences, but those opportunities are few and far between. I'm really excited to learn more and get involved with this project!