I haven't written anything since the summer term ended. In fact, I haven't written anything at all here except for the required reflections for my summer course. A lot has changed.
First, tragic family news. One of the kittens I got for my birthday last June passed away in November, just before he turned 8 months old. We lost him to a horrendous disease called Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. He was sick on and off again for a couple of months before he breathed his last breath while I held him cheek-to-cheek. It's been difficult, to say the least.
I had another major life event in November: I decided to withdraw from the DREAM Math program. I knew going in that it would be intense and demanding, but with everything my family and I had during the past 6 months (not just the kitten - that's the only one I'll mention) I realized that this is unsustainable for me. What began as a cohort of three is now a solo mission; I was the second to leave the program.
I'm still pursuing the Alternative Master's in Mathematics Secondary Education, but I'm doing it on my own time.
Something positively exciting! I am now working in the COSAM Outreach Office as the resident math guru. (I'm lobbying for that to be my official title, ha!) I have So. Many. Plans! and it will be AWESOME.
At least one of my courses will have weekly reflections on our readings. They will be formally submitted on another platform, but I like the idea of using this space to write about what I've learned and how I can be a better teacher.