I’m with you Amy! I love the quote from your mother too! She is so right that we may not able to do amazing things each time we set ourselves into motion. I do believe that small things can have big impacts in the lives of others. Just by doing something small, it can create a long-lasting and far-reaching effect. One person may not make the biggest difference, but that one person can be the catalyst to encourage and inspire others. Keep on being that person in the engineering world and you will see that ripple become a tidal wave!

What a wonderful post to remind us that we have that magic inside us! Your post was encouraging and makes me want to go watch some more Kung Fu Panda!

I appreciate your bravery in sharing your story. What a wonderful story it is! I too am a non-traditional student and have done things in my own time and way. It’s worked for me too. ? I agree that all of these things are connected, kind of like our brains where one side operates the creative and the other the concrete. It is important that we have a fullness to our education, because I feel it is the serendipity that brings such wonderful things when our worlds collide. Thanks for the post and the reminder that we need to break the mold of education and get it more fluid and connected.

Excellent post! Please do not apologize for your post (regarding the “I have probably said too much…” comment. Your post made me think about how you linked humanities being needed by the STEM/Engineering, just as much as humanities needs their certainty. It’s like admitting that the strong, independent person does have a soft side, and sometimes needs a hug too! Your post was like that for me – a reminder we need hugs as much as we need discipline.

I had not previously thought about the slippery slope with arts and technology in the way you described. I quite agree and I also think that there is no easy answer (or solution) to the way technology is altering our lives. There is both great things and wretched disfigurement going on! How great it is to integrate those non-artistic folks into the creation, but you are right, where does it stop? When ever would it be ok to jump on stage in the middle of someone’s performance to be so entitled to plug in a phone? Technology is surely changing things. I guess with anything powerful the question then becomes where is the line to cross over into abusive?

First, let me say that I disagree with those bias tests because I think they are designed to trip you up by their paring and are not a true reflection (but I’ve not researched them – only taken them in a couple of classes). So I take your admission of being racist lightly. I do think, however, the tests can bring about awareness. The awareness makes us realize and reflect on ways we do think, feel, and act. The whole fact you have been mulling it over seems that the test brought things to the forefront for you to examine. That is a key process in change (or reaffirmation of remaining the same). Thanks!

I love the “there is no specific recipe” statement. Many times when we are new at something, we are eager to find the “textbook” way of doing it so we can feel like we are doing it “right”. Lots of things do not have specific measurable components to performance. There seem to be so many variables in a classroom that any good teacher would need to understand the flexibility needed. I like the ingredients you list for how you wish your class to be: engaging, inspirational and knowledgeable. That sounds like a pretty good mix to me! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

What a fantastic post! I have always appreciated Alan Alda and you have given me another reason to remain a fan. Your thoughts provoked me to think about how I deliver my presentations and class lectures. I have a tendency to get in my head and find it difficult to tailor down the information to fit my audience. Mostly because I have learned so much about the subject, am excited about it, and everything feels important for the audience to know. I am learning still. So your comment on really keeping your audience in mind is helpful. Thanks!

Silence is difficult for many people to sit with, I see that everyday in our counseling clinic where we are training new counselors. Yes, people/students need time to process things when new thoughts or ideas are proposed to them. We, as the teachers, need to gain comfort in the silence that follows. Giving the students the space to think about it and form a response challenges them. If the teachers jump in and rescue after a few moments of silence, they come to expect it and never allow themselves to rise to the occasion. Good questions should give students pause. Good teachers give their students questions and then time to think.

Cassie, I loved your simile of being a prius. I am from Gen X. Love the new technology coming out, but not always on the cutting edge of what is happening. I think that is just age, ha! I hope that as time continues, I do not become like my father in the fact he does not embrace the new technologies. He does not have a computer. He does not have a cell phone. He does not have internet access. However, he does still have an answering machine and a DVD/VCR combo on his HDTV. He does not like the voice response units when you make calls to places (he hangs up on them) and still goes in person to pay many of his bills. It’s not so bad for him, considering he remembers his childhood home not even having electricity! I think your insight to being a cross-breed between X and Y will help you embrace the newer things. Being around as many of these “new” things unfold it an interesting time, as we have the privilege to appreciate more simplistic ways and crave the newness of the technological possibilities. Perhaps diversity is the key with the Millenials, but it charges us to be even more creative to help foster their engagement!