Maybe You're Wondering..

In August, I (R) began a new position with Rosslyn Academy. Here is my title: Intellectual Virtues Coordinator and Learning Support Teacher. Often, when I tell people about this, the response is an extremely confused expression. So, today, I decided to provide a little bit of information about my new role to help clear things up.

Intellectual virtues are excellent thinking habits. Our superintendent, Dr. Phil Dow, wrote a book titled Virtuous Minds about these excellent thinking habits. At Rosslyn Academy, we have adopted 7 of these virtues to teach, implement, and encourage. They are as follows:

Intellectual Curiosity: the tendency to wonder, ask deep questions, and explore

 Intellectual Humility: the realization of intellectual limitations; knowing you have more to learn

Intellectual Carefulness: involves being patient and careful in thinking

Intellectual Honesty: presenting what we know in an honest way; giving credit where credit is due; doing our own work

 Intellectual Tenacity: embracing intellectual challenge or struggle, continuing to try even when it is hard

Intellectual Courage: occurs when we subject ourselves to a potential loss or harm in the context of learning or pursuing truth; involves an intellectual risk; Example: asking or answering a question even when we are not sure

Intellectual Fair-mindedness: being willing to listen to and learn from others; truth is more important than our ego

Right now, I am working on curriculum development for grades K-5. I am also working on beginning to cultivate the culture of intellectual virtue in the Rosslyn Middle School (Gr. 6-8).

My learning support position allows me to work one-on-one or in small groups with students. Right now, I work only with 4th and 5th graders. I mostly focus on math skills with these kiddos, but also work some with reading and writing.

I am enjoying my job SO much. I am not sure I have ever enjoyed a job more. I still get to teach, but I get to spend a lot of my time dreaming, writing, creating, discussing, and organizing. These are a few of my favorite things! All in all, I am so happy about the scary decision to leave the general education classroom. I feel like I am thriving and more in touch with myself than I have been in a long time or possibly ever. It doesn't hurt that I get a morning off a week, either.

A glimpse into my office. :)




Bullets:

  • We recently got to stay at a beautiful house just outside Nanyuki inside Mt. Kenya Wildlife Estate. We relaxed, read, and played a fun game called BANG while watching warthogs in the backyard.

  • We also visited Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, where we got to see various orphaned animals. Our friend, Emily, almost got knocked over by a baby buffalo.



  • John has been climbing nonstop. His work ethic and commitment impress me daily. I have been relaxing? Yes, but I also just finished a 6 week 5 times a week workout program...just no climbing. And...I did just climb (with my feet) Mt. Longonot, which I never thought I could or would accomplish!




  • We continue to enjoy camping (especially at Carnelly's).

  • We've enjoyed playing with Zeke Elmore.
  • John actually loves Jarvis. I have proof. 
-R

Comments

  1. PamPOctober 13, 2018 at 4:19 AM

    Love ALL.OF.THIS.(except, of course that you aren't here) <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. AmelMagFebruary 6, 2019 at 9:36 PM

    I'm so glad that your new role has been so life-giving!

    ReplyDelete

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