I’m still a student. I’ve been holding onto that title ever since I graduated from college. The grip was loosening every year while working in a different industry. I wasn’t going to let go of my drive for learning. I am so thankful for the people who had influenced me before and during my journey of being an educator, specifically my content area specialist when I was in my teacher preparation program who suggested GVWP. After learning that I was required to create goals and an action plan for induction I knew that GVWP would be first on my list – had induction not been a requirement, I would have signed up anyway. While the many strategies and research-backed articles provided for theoretical and practical knowledge to bring back to my classroom, I am most grateful for the effect the GVWP leaders and my peers had on my personal identity as a writer.
Previously I had a narrow view of myself as a writer. I was able to move between pieces of academic writing pretty deftly, but any freeform writing stopped me in my tracks. GVWP helped me think outside the rigid confines of “academic” writing and opened my eyes to a whole new world. Using the stories I’ve lived and stories others have shared, I am able to piece together meaningful writing which gives myself and hopefully the reader a better understanding of the world.
Paul's Postings 