Butterflies... in the stomach

I can honestly say I am really nervous about this class, and but nervous I mean an excited nervous where you are anxious and ready to learn but afraid of messing up. I am anxious to develop my skills as a facilitator and leader. I think the first class that we had definitely broke the ice and helped me to become more comfortable with everyone in our class. I still got nervous during the presentation about my past leadership experience, my voice was shaking. I believe that is one area that I would really like to work on and improve upon during my time in this class. Getting up in front of people and being comfortable. I can talk in class and do activities but put me in front of a group and I get really anxious, especially when I have to talk about myself. Developing those skills, as becoming a great public speaker, facilitator, and leader will be a lot of work and I think this class will allow me to reflect on past experiences and to practice. I feel the environment which we have to practice is a safe environment and will allow for mistakes and reflection which is what you need as you are honing your skills.


Making my facilitator bag was really fun but a little frustrating because I didn’t know exactly what to get and when I did pick something up I had to think of ways I would use it. Some items that I got were a bit random and I thought that I could come up with some creative ideas and ways to use them. I thought that maybe I can see what some of my classmates got and get feedback on what they will do with their items. We learned that brainstorming is key, so I am definitely going to ask other people what they think of my items. I am excited to add on to my bag so that I can use it with the classes I am teaching this semester and next semester.

I think it will definitely be a useful tool since I work primarily with undergrads. They are sometimes a difficult bunch to get up and get moving and I think this bag might help to make them laugh and not feel that they can't talk to me or their peers. I want to take on a big role next semester as a T. A. for one of the undergraduate classes associated in this program. I feel this challenge is going to improve my skills greatly as a facilitator and a leader. I asked Amy, the woman I teach IS202 with if I could facilitate a class on my own soon and she said "GREAT! That’s a wonderful idea!" I am excited because it is just going to help me grow and practice my skills as a facilitator. I have already had the chance to practice one of my favorite on my students the first day. For the first class I had them stand in two lines facing each other. (a little background, these are international students who are all away from home...FAR AWAY!) When they had something in common I told them to move forward. When they did not have something in common they moved a step backwards. Eventually they all became one line. The purpose was to show them that they are all in the same boat, they all miss their families and friends, they all wish they could have their favorite dish that their mom makes, and that they were all apprehensive about starting at JMU. As advisors and teachers we wanted them to know that those feelings were okay and that we are all a support system they can lean on if they need to talk or need to know something about campus. Laura and Mary who are also professors told me I did a great job and that they wanted to use it sometime. That really built my confidence that I have the abilities to become a great facilitator that I just need to practice more and get fresh ideas to use with different groups. I am looking forward to practicing a LOT more through out this year.