Meaning of Community

Tonight's TI was quite meaningful for me. As I paired up with Dwight and Jon, I realized once again the importance of community. Dwight's laptop was stolen with a completed portfolio and all of his other work in the bag. Just learning this information for the first time made me really sad because he wanted to walk away from everything he had done thus far. Feeling frustrated by due dates and projects, he shared that he wasn't sure whether or not he would be able to complete anything of worth. This was when Jon and I were able to remind him of the importance of making the program work for you, not the other way around. In education, we often fixate yourself on the end, the test, the results, and don't stop often enough to see where we've been and where we are now. Being able to learn how to reflect has been a very powerful experience for me. Through my reflection, I see the learning and am reminded of the importance of the process. Due dates have their place and projects do as well, but the essence of both of these things to highlight the accomplishment of what you have learned. I just wish I knew how to take this into my practice. I feel so stuck in our system of standards and objectives. My heart and soul pull me in one direction, but my mind brings me back to the reality of what I am fighting against.