I always look for handy mantras, and Suit Up / Show Up / Mind Yourself really ticks a lot of boxes for me personally of late. I also say it to students, and i am happy to tell you about it!

WELCOME TO THE WORK!

I welcome everybody to the work, and "THE WORK" is in all caps, underlined, italicized, and blinking lightly in the dark. So much about the education I received and I see academics and colleges insisting that these students go through is basically hazing. Why are we teaching busy work and obedience when these students need to know how to do their work?? How do we find our authentic connection to the work and research we need to do? I discuss how I use the ideas I have found crucial to my practice in the classroom and beyond.

20 years on, I assemble my memories about 9/11.

I am an imperfect witness, but I wanted to share as well. #NeverForget

WELCOME TO THE WORK–the work we have to dive deep to do, the hard work we simply must take on to make our ways into our lives. This week, I will speak about the work I have to do and how I welcome students into THEIR work. The good news is, we can all find our way.

Failure is the learning part. I try to make sure that my students don't shut down when they make what they think is a mistake. I try to change the pH balance of my classroom by overtly doing something in front of them that I do badly, model a little good-humored failure. I am working to keep that in mind as I navigate a long spell of disappointment in my creative and professional life, to keep riding the rapids until I hit the next patch of calm water.

My Portfolio My Plan

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Coming this week: how failure is the part we need to cherish, the part that actually teaches us most!

I am still writing my Unified Theory of Making and it has me wandering all over! I just spoke from the heart, so forgive the many inaccuracies!

I am working on a formal written piece and will add that to the My Portfolio My Plan site.

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References:

Coming up on My Portfolio My Plan: MANIFESTO PART TWO! I've been working on my manifesto rewrite, and it's actually kind of unfolding into this larger mapping a kind of a unified theory of making. In this unified theory. I'm hoping to develop compass rose for my teaching, my making, my daily practice, what I hope to be my legacy.

No matter where we jump in the river, we still get wet. Don't let not knowing stop you! Jump in and begin! 

I always tell my more reluctant students, " No matter where you jump in the river, you still get wet!" Being a beginner is NEVER a reason to falter! Being an expert is never a reason to shame someone with less experience! 

I'm learning how to podcast as we speak–I am rolling with the rough spots, the pauses, all of it! I can't wait for perfection!

I'm posting on Friday afternoons, so see you then!

http://myportfoliomyplan.com/