Ecology Field Trip May 10-21, 2009

What a glorious adventure! A ten-day trip from Mt. St. Helens, WA down the coast of Oregon to the Redwoods and back to Portland. The three professors from Concordias in Portland and Austin: Meissner, Polozov and Kunert are brilliant experts in biology, ecology, ornithology and more! The fourteen students were delightful and fun to be with! I couldn't keep up with all the long hikes, but enjoyed the conversations on the van and the diverse lectures on the flora and fauna of the region! The most dramatic highlight was the Multonomah Falls!

Krista Farmer & Powell's!

So, its off to Portland OR to connect with my long-time friend from Austin, TX! Krista and I ate Cuban, Italian and Indian food and walked all over this beautiful city of Bridges! Fortunately it was a remarkable weekend, the sun and most of the city were out enjoying this first weekend in May. The remarkable part of Portland, is, of course, Powell's--the huge bookstore with old and new books that you can't live without! My car was already overpacked and I bought so many books that Krista had to plan to mail them to me in June!

You can never have too many friends or too many books, Right?

The Remarkable Amy Keiper

One of the special treats at Whitworth was getting to know Amy Keiper, the granddaughter of my friend and colleague at Concordia Texas, Gert Keiper. Here we at in front of the Spokane Falls before lunch at Clinkerdaggers--our favorite restaurant! She'll be a unique and wonderful teacher like her parents in Linden, WA and Grandmother are! Miss you, girl!

What a Class Act!

So, I finally had to say goodbye to my Whitworth life and get ready for my May adventures! This photo is of my Democracy, Leadership and Schooling class I taught throughout the semester! They had a final School Reform Project (simulation) with both a written and oral component and (of course) Aced it all! Can you tell we had a good time? Thanks, one and all--especially Randy Michaelis and Dennis Sterner who made it happen!
I had a really tough time saying goodbye without weeping and everyone was so kind! I know I'll be back somehow!

Key Words

I think the 'magic' of Whitworth is becoming more clear! Its not just that the students are top-notch--its because they can articulate their reason for being here! "We're relational," they say, "so its important that we work well together and respect each other." The integrity of each member of the staff is part of the culture; there are no 'pledges' to sign--everyone is expected to do their best and fulfill the Mission! There is no problem getting any work done,--each member of the staff and faculty just do it with pleasure. The place is a well-oiled machine: presentations, paychecks, technical assistance, resources, meetings--all work together to make the teaching and learning (what we're about, after all) efficient and effective. And because of Whitworth's reputation, only those who are willing to go 'over and above' come here, work here, play here.

Their values and mine overlap. Being able to articulate the Whitworth values of being relational and demonstrating integrity means the students get it! Their confidence underscores my faith in the transformational power of "Modeling the Way."

Spring! Or Not??

Truly, yesterday's snowfall (April 14th, 2009!) wasn't funny or appreciated! Fortunately I had planned to do the laundry from the grandkid's visit anyway and by the time I was ready to head out most of it was gone! Downtown Spokane didn't get any--it was special for us folk on the hill!

But that was yesterday and its to be 70 degrees for the weekend!

I've had an absolutely perfect time here. The living situation is delightful! Did I tell you the Yoders have strong connections with Africa, adopted two African kids--now wonderful adults living somewhere in Spokane, and the entire house is decorated with African art and artifacts? Tim, Christi and the kids made it over for Easter weekend and they loved the kid-friendly house! Zachary especially appreciated the drums--one for him, one for me!! And the playhouse outside was wonderful the one day it was warm and sunny. The cat, Sophie, appreciated the attention (mostly) and there were plenty of sleeping areas.

Tomorrow the chaplain for Nelson Mendela may stay in the extra bedroom where Tim and Christi slept. Apparently the Yoders host lots of guests from around the world. John is a Political Science Professor and Director of Peace Studies here at Whitworth; Janet will return from Lithuania soon where she's been teaching an English class. Pretty cool folk, huh?

Tonight, one of our Education Professors will be speaking on What Works in Autism Treatment; I'll be taking lots of notes!

I have just 3 more weeks here, then to Portland for the 10 day Science Field trip down the coast of Oregon with science Profs from Concordias in both Austin and Portland. Then up to Washington to see the Seattle families, returning on Memorial Day to pack the car and get ready for Thelma and Louise's Adventure with a Happier Ending!!!

I'm having too much fun, so write soon and remind me that I have a rich and rewarding life in Texas!

Whitworth--a University with Soul!

Whitworth University is a University with a soul—they know who they are and what they want to be. Their President, Bill Robinson (or “B-Rob” to the students) says in his book, Leading from the Middle, Whitworth was endowed “with a fierce embrace of both Christian conviction and intellectual curiosity;” this ‘rare alchemy of conviction and curiosity’ left him the task of transforming ‘the way Whitworth College thought about itself, its mission and its potential.’ Because of this clarity of vision by the President and his efforts, the University has an almost palpable sense of its value!

The School of Education (SOE) has a Conceptual Framework that is the foundation of the School. They are [to be] Scholars, Community Members, Effective Practitioners, Visionary Leaders, and Guardians. The students are screened upon entry into the program, at the end of the initial ‘block’ set of courses and prior to student teaching and included or excluded at each of those times from the teacher education program. Each student must demonstrate their fulfillment of the Conceptual Framework as well as maintaining a 3.0 GPA, -so they know they’re good!!! Competence and confidence in equal measures! (After each class, there were 2 students that stayed after class to fill me in on ‘the way things are here.’) The students want everything to be clear so they can do their very best at all times. I was told that the students expect to make ‘A’s’—no slackers. So teaching is both complicated and simplified by the dialogue regarding my expectations and theirs.

I learned to take long lunches in the SOE faculty lounge just to chat with whoever was there or passing through. I felt like a sponge, soaking up everything I could. The informal communications were indicative of the high level of decision-making and leadership development that guaranteed continuous improvement. They discussed their Accreditation reports and feedback from students; they discussed their areas of expertise: Gifted & Talented, Autism, Adult Learners. (The one critique I will share with them is their overdone work-ethic! I had to tell one Director that there was no law to prevent him from eating while sitting down!)

From Mom's Pastor Steve's Blog...

AND SPEAKING OF LOOKING FORWARD.....I'm hoping that a dear friend of mine will be sitting in the pews at our Killam Worship service this coming Sunday. Michal Rosenburger, originally from Wimberley Texas but temporarily from Spokane Washington, has decided that she will make the drive from Camrose this weekend, weather and time schedules permitting, to meet my own and our Killam church family. Michal is one of Barbara Christenson's (lovely) daughters and, along with her sister Trisha Verdal, is someone whom I've often found visiting her mom and her brother Ben at the Louise Jensen Centre in Camrose. Michal is a professor at Concordia University, on sabbatical in Spokane, and has spent a lifetime "teaching teachers how to teach!" Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, Micky....and maybe even picking up some pointers on improving my preaching....! :-)

Spring Break Part I !

Tomorrow I fly to Canada to visit my Mother and Brother Benjamin in Camrose, Alberta where they are being well cared-for at the Louise Jensen Care Center. I'll have to introduce myself to my Mother ('me mum') every day, but Benjamin is anxiously awaiting my arrival. Though he is losing mobility with an impaired leg, his mind is active and he keeps his music library organized and well-played. Most of his thousands of CD's and all of his records are in a storage unit, so we will 'go shopping' there to exchange some CD's for his Wagner collection and bring some of his beloved records to his room. I will visit the church in Killam where Mom's favorite Pastor Steve will be preaching on Sunday.

Grandparent's Day at Waldorf

So, Tim asks, “What did the Grandparents and Special Friends do while they were visiting today?”
“They just clapped whenever we did something,” says Sarah Rosenberger!
And we did,--we clapped and clapped! We clapped when they spelled! We clapped when they danced! And we even clapped when they did math!
The "Grandparents and Special Friends" were as spellbound as the students when their teacher, Karol White, told a story about the Dragon capturing Misty Minus. After the story, they took their bags of gemstones and grouped the stones according to the events of the story! The stones were grouped by tens in fancy bags so the students could show how many ‘gems’ the characters added or lost as the dragon carried them away. (Now, both of Sarah’s grandmas are teachers, so although we knew that the story was the ‘anticipatory set’ for the base ten math lesson, never had we seen students having so much fun learning subtraction!) We could not imagine a more dramatic math lesson! Even learning to count by 6’s (multiplication tables to the rest of the world) was done with circles and stars.

My favorite part of the entire morning, however, was when the class recited and signed the Rune of St. Patrick:
“At Tara today in this fateful hour
I place all Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And fire with all the strength it hath,
And lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along their path,
And the sea with its deepness,And the rocks with their steepness,
And the earth with its starkness
All these I place,By God’s almighty help and grace,
Between myself and the powers of darkness.”

All the Grandparents and Special Friends enjoyed the enthusiasm and energy displayed by the students throughout the morning of this special day and were even more pleased to know that even though it was a special event for us, it was a typical school day for the students of Whidbey Island's Waldorf School.
So, yes, Sarah, we clapped, but know that even though we were applauding the students’ skills, knowledge and interactions, it is the entire team of teachers that we applaud!http://www.wiws.org/

Oh, No! SNOW!!!

Oh, well. So much for Spring! Its been snowing hard all day and any attempts to shovel walks are negated by fresh snow. So put down that snow shovel and lets build a snowman, why don't we???
I broke the news to my students that I'll be on Mt. St. Helens while they're demonstrating their accumulated wisdom of our Democracy, Leadership and Schooling class that I'm teaching here at Whitworth. They are relaxing more with me, so we're having more fun! They are so diligent, compliant and hard-working that it seems whatever needs to be done gets done with no complaints! I'm getting spoiled!
I still can't figure out how much of the culture here is related to the NorthWest, the selection process of Whitworth or Presbyterian vs. Lutheran issues. Though I suspect that folk here in Spokane have become a community because they have a common enemy: The Weather!!!

Whitworth University, Spokane Washington

You may see this beautiful campus for yourself at www.whitworth.edu
Of course it has been covered with snow since I arrived, but the rain and warmer weather is aiding the melting process, and the students, faculty and staff are ready for it to go!!!

I saw a student last week in her sweatshirt, shorts, and flip-flops (!) kicking at a melting pile! "Oh, for a camera," I said, "to send this to Texas!" " I'm from California," she replied! They'd enjoy it as well!"

That's another part of the 'magic' around here! People don't take themselves too seriously--their work, yes, but themselves, No!

There's a sense of quality and authenticity that's almost palpable. The students know the standards are high and strive to meet them. But they have expectations of their professors and will let you know when their expectations aren't met, as well. They feel free to speak up, to hold themselves and others accountable. This healthy learning environment seems to be modeled, not taught.

The students tell me that they are heard! When they object to a flawed assignment or a faculty candidate, the administration responds! No wonder they feel empowered! They create leaders every day!

A Fine Weekend!

What a weekend! A glorious massage, Bobby McFerrin and about a dozen other jazz greats at the U of Idaho Jazz Festival, delicious meals prepared by Chef Larry and quality time with my wonderful sister, Trisha Verdal. I made them watch my now favorite movie: August Rush! All about a young man in an orphange who finds his parents through music! It was a fine complement to the night before where hundreds of young people were in the Kibbie Dome having spent the day playing and singing and celebrating their own kind of music! Music really has a way of bringing all of us together!

My Junior Year at Whitworth College many years ago was such a shining moment in my life that it created a standard that everything else is measured by. I was only one musician among dozens, one student among a thousand, yet every memory is about being treasured, celebrated, and cared for! And that culture hasn't changed!

Even yesterday, I went to the music building, intending to find a piano in the music department to play my Chopin and Gershwin and Bach. The elevator was confusing, so I asked a student nearby “Where would I find an available piano?” Another student got on the elevator and said “I’m going up anyway. I’ll help you find one.” And he did; then he came back moments later saying “The mini-grand is available, why don’t you play on it?” And he took me over to it.

This courtesy, this individual responsibility for each to care for the other is pervasive,-as I wander around new buildings, inevitably a student will ask “Is there something I can help you with?” as though they had no more urgent business than to ensure my comfort.

A Great Teacher at Work

One of the joyous events on my trip was visiting the Marin County Schools Assistive Technology Center. Not only were there an incredible array of technology to meet the needs of all the special young people but Dan and the aides were respectful and joyful as they worked with each of these students!

Zachary tried to come along...

Quick summary of Travels

January was truly an amazing month. From the sweet Hollon family in Pecos Texas to my new 'digs' in Spokane Washington, I have renewed friendships from High School, Navy-wife days, and a cousin I hadn't seen since we were teens. The weather was clear the entire way and I didn't really encounter snow until I reached sister Trisha Verdal's place in Moscow, ID. After watching the Inauguration together, I ventured through the fog to Spokane. I'm in a downstairs apartment with a glorious view of Mt. Spokane (fog permitting) and the entire valley (photos to come!)

The next week was spent finding my way around the Education Department of Whitworth U. My office is in the library across from the tech support team (thank goodness!). Though the weather hasn't been above freezing, the people are uniformly warm and joyful! I don't know whether they only hire happy folk, or whether its a contagious condition! Either way, they're just as accepting as I remember from my time here--class of '63!

I met the elementary student teachers yesterday and begin teaching tomorrow! Can't wait!

This is Patsy Weston, my friend from Fairbanks, AK: HS & College!

Eugenio and Michal with Lychee Tea

January 10, 2009 in Sausalito, CA

Friends on the way

This is Patsy and Malcolm

Weston who live in Live Oak, CA.