Final Reflection
Susan H. Kenney EDUC 805
Exposure to George Mason professors and their pursuits this past semester has been truly inspiring! For over fifty years I have had an insatiable appetite to acquire and share knowledge. Constant classes, workshops, conferences, and several degrees fed the need. A twist in the fall of 2005 initiated a hunger for a different banquet. One year later, week by week the buffet began. From Dr. Behrmann’s energetic descriptions of exploration and creation of technology innovations, to Dr. Mastropieri’s passion to engender knowledge and encourage budding scholars, to Dr. Bannan- Ritland’s framework of design, effective questioning, and tenacious research to discover positive contributions, to Dr. Norton’s dance between idea, and action, with emphasis on collaboration, to Dr. Isenberg and other authors dynamic expression of novel insights, to Dr. Sprague and critical reviewers validating new knowledge claims, were but a few examples of delicious tidbits shared through initial exposure to our “Community of Scholars.” The profound modeling of commitment, fervor, and desire to positively impact the community at large was successfully infused. The paradigm shifts from eager knowledge consumer to imparting vision of becoming a partner in the production of knowledge has been awe inspiring! Powerlessness of accepting the norm is fading. Our realization of the immenseness of possibilities is escalating. Confidence and inquisitiveness are bourgeoning as the investigation for questions and solutions begins. We each have an unpretentious, but unique role that strengthens and empowers our community to be vital change agent in the world!
I extend a heartfelt thanks to you and all the professors who continue to nurture us and have made the initiation of this exciting shift possible!