I started this semester exhausted. I took on 12 credits during the fall term (and yes, I was duly warned by my advisor against doing so). I acknowledged that impostor phenomenon is real. I balanced my studies with working my part-time jobs, conducting qualitative research, taking care of my better half and our home.
In February, to say that I was busy is an understatement. In addition to supporting the Technology Integration Center, I joined the Faculty Taskforce on Esports in the Curriculum as a collaborator to explore Esports and curriculum connections at W&M.
I traveled with the W&M Fitwell team to the 2020 Southeast Collegiate Fitness Expo at Radford University. I helped to facilitate “Line Dancing 101: The Art of the Boot Scoot Boogie” class. That was so much fun!
I celebrated my birthday by attempting the LES MILLS GRIT Initial Training. It’s a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, and the floor coaching component of this format is exceptional.
Ozobots invaded Bayside High School on February 20th during the annual Pi Day event sponsored by the STEM Ed Alliance.
I had the pleasure of traveling with our W&M Holmes Scholars to participate in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s (AACTE) 72nd Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA. Robin DiAngelo, author of “White Fragility” was the keynote. Here we are enjoying a meal together at Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Simply delicious!
That was my normal. Then `\_(‘~’)_/`
I ended this semester traumatized. I did my best to finish my projects and papers while grieving the illness and death of those I knew and the many that I didn’t know. I logged in for Zoom sessions in the midst of unreliable Internet service and occasional power outages. My Surface stopped charging. My graduate assistantship transitioned online, and I was furloughed from several part-time jobs.
With my workout routine in chaos, and nursing an injury from a fall off of my bike, I suffered from insomnia. When I had to venture out, I always wore a mask. I signed petitions. I donated. I participated in prayer and candlelight vigils, holding a sign that I made in protest of systemic racism. I read Robin DiAngelo’s book. I witnessed principalities and powers prioritize reopening, and many people in public spaces without masks.
I can’t breathe. I never want to go back to normal. I believe that we have an opportunity to rest, and then work to reimagine and reform our pedagogy, our practice, and our research. As a scholar, I am questioning how this unique context of pandemic and social justice impacts my research interests and shapes best practices with (and without) technology.
Like last year, I was employed as an Online Teaching Assistant supporting W&M Arts and Sciences online summer courses. I refreshed and facilitated my second online course, Deeper Learning: Unpacking the 5 C’s, a 5-week online course for K-12 educators from across the state of Virginia exploring the 5 C’s: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and citizenship.
I served as a Digital Media Judge for McKinley Tech’s Senior Virtual STEM Fair on May 28th. In June, I joined Black Girls Code’s TechMe Series, Tapping into Apps to learn how to create apps using MIT APP Inventor.
I participated in the Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) 2020 Virtual Conference. The theme was Uplifting Women and Girls of Color Through Antiracist Pedagogy, Practice, and Policies.
On the horizon, I will participate in a few more conferences including ISTE’s Summer Learning Academy and ASCD’s Respond, Reimagine, Restart virtual conference.
We’ll be packing up and moving back to Maryland in a few weeks. COVID-19 is still raging. And I’m getting ready for comprehensive exams this fall. I ask for your prayers.
Denise Lewis Ph.D. ’22