Dr. J's Blog

Do you ever give yourself time to do something enjoyable, a project or activity you might even consider to be fun? Many people have a list of ideas or projects they would like to complete, and the sentence which usually precedes the list is: If I only had time I would get started. Does that sound familiar?

Yes, everyone should have a hobby, especially those who work in an office every day and complete the same routine tasks. There has been a lot written about mindfulness and the benefits of meditation. This is based upon the idea of giving yourself time to be alone, away from your daily routine and responsibilities, to help regain a sense of balance and manage stress. But for many people, the idea of sitting in a quiet room and trying to suddenly become calm and focused...

What are your goals as an educator, teacher, and mentor to your students? Do you have a clearly defined mission statement now, one which guides your day and the plans you establish for your week?

When you are actively involved in the classroom and working with your adult students, classroom management and what you need to teach are the order of the day. As the class progresses, you may consider the perspective of your students; along with what motivates them, how they persist when faced with challenges, and what it is like for them to interact with the classroom environment. But have you ever considered how your students view you as an educator? Does it matter to you or influence how you teach when you are planning your class or considering future professional...

You may remember how you got started as an instructor, but do you recall what inspires you to continue teaching? The instructional duties of an educator require well-developed planning, organizational, and time management skills, especially if you have multiple projects or career responsibilities to balance. If you teach in a traditional college classroom, you must plan for a class or classes that typically meets on a specific day or time during the week. If you teach online, the general expectation is that you will be actively engaged in your class throughout the entire week.

What inspires you to devote the time necessary to create a meaningful learning experience, knowing that you will need to make a significant commitment of your time? Yes, it is your responsibility to...

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.  – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

There is one feeling that carries with it more negative power than any other and it is fear. The very word fear itself can bring unpleasant memories to light and remind us of what we believe we cannot accomplish. It carries a negative connotation and represents an uncomfortable feeling of helplessness or hopelessness. It may be felt when a goal was not achieved, and result in a time of questioning, doubt, and second-guessing.

Fear is also associated with a time when a person becomes afraid to try something new or becomes indecisive while considering possibilities about what may or may not happen as a result of a pending decision. It is a time of uncertainty, looking ahead and not knowing...