Today I returned to The Ohio State University and Ramseyer Hall for a meeting. I found myself wanting to wander and explore. I did for a few minutes after the meeting I was attending but had to dash out to get to a softball game.
I found myself wanting to remember. Remember the rooms I took classes in. Remember the people my path crossed with. Remember the familiarity of collegiate life. I was married and beginning my teaching career when I got my masters so I would dash to campus for class and go home but I loved doing just that. I loved learning more on how to be a teacher. I loved learning more about reading, language and literacy learning. I loved tutoring in the reading clinic.
While I was there, I never had the opportunity to take a class from Gay Su Pinnell but I did meet Andrea McCarrier when interactive writing was still in the developing, action research, going public phases. To this day, I love interactive writing.
I hope to during my two weeks this summer on campus I can explore Ramseyer and Arps Hall a bit more and maybe recall a story or two from my time on campus 18 years ago. Moments like this remind me I need to create a writing habit about daily life because stories get lost over time and then we are left with little incomplete flickers.
I share your excitement about those undergraduate years - special memories indeed. It's been 35+ years since I left, but the minute I step foot on campus, I'm 18 years old again. Enjoy your two weeks this summer. The idea of being left with incomplete flickers should motivate all of us to write more.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment about how memories flicker and die over time. I'm not good, at all, about writing when I am not slicing. And I'm sad about how many memories I have lost.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about returning to places that hold such special memories. I'm so glad you're part of our group! It's going to be a great 2 weeks. :)
ReplyDeleteI taught K for 10 years and loved Interactive Writing too! I think Andrea McCarrier was the author of the book I have on Interactive Writing, along with Fountas and Pinnel. I now teach third grade and don't "share the pen" as often, but it was a great strategy! Glad you reminded me of it!
ReplyDeleteI took a course to add to my teaching certification last week. It was at night for 2 days. I drove back to where I got my Masters, and I immediately got the same feeling I did when I was younger and getting my Masters. I almost got anxiety thinking I had homework or something! It's great to go back to where something began for us. Thanks for sharing!
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