Thank you for your valuable advice, @Melissa Zaniewski. I wanted to express my gratitude for your prompt and helpful responses. After reading your post, I took immediate action and set up my Outlook calendar to allocate dedicated time slots for specific tasks. I believe this approach will greatly benefit me.

Working from home and attending EPOL from the same desk has often resulted in a situation where I spend an excessive amount of time on my paper, neglecting my job responsibilities. However, I am optimistic that by implementing time blocks, I can strike a better balance between the two. It's a solution that seems promising.

Additionally, I plan to follow your suggestion and explore the CG Map videos to enhance my understanding and utilization of this tool. I wasn't even aware of its existence, so thank you for bringing it to my attention! While I do try to enjoy the process, there are moments when I feel overwhelmed by the time it will take to complete my tasks. Nonetheless, I am determined to overcome these challenges.

I am fortunate to have a supportive partner, but there are occasions when I feel I am neglecting them. I will make a conscious effort to incorporate quality time with them into my calendar. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial, and I'm committed to making it a priority. Thanks again! @Lauren Purcell

• Lauren Purcell

@Melissa Zaniewski,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences regarding taking two courses per term for your EdD in LDL. It's evident that you have committed yourself wholeheartedly to the program and have found value in the accelerated pace. I have a few questions based on your comments:

How has the accelerated pace and immersion in coursework contributed to your sense of community and connection with your peers? In what ways have you benefited from this engagement with your classmates?

Could you provide some examples of the overarching themes that resonate throughout the program? How have these themes helped you make connections between different courses and deepen your understanding of the subject?

It's impressive that you have managed to maintain a rigorous schedule, devoting substantial time to your coursework. Would you mind elaborating on any specific strategies or techniques you have found helpful in staying organized and managing the workload effectively?

Considering the time commitment required, how have you balanced your academic responsibilities with your professional role as a junior high principal? Have you faced any challenges in maintaining this balance, and if so, how have you addressed them?

As you mentioned, there is a learning curve with the platforms and technology used in the program. Would you kindly provide some insights into how you have navigated this learning curve? Have you found any resources or support systems particularly helpful in adapting to the technological requirements of the coursework?

With the completion of your required courses and the transition to the general field, what are your expectations and goals for this phase of your EdD journey? How do you envision applying the knowledge and skills you have acquired to your role as a junior high principal?

Thank you once again for sharing your experiences, and best wishes as you continue your EdD journey. Your insights will undoubtedly be valuable to others considering a similar academic path.

@Lauren Purcell

• Lauren Purcell

@Lauren Purcell, You've got this! Good luck and keep in touch!

• Melissa Zaniewski

@Lauren Purcell, Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I will do my best to elaborate and provide additional details in response to your questions:

1. The sense of community comes from spending time every day on CG Scholar. This helps me feel a greater sense of connection because I am quite literally interacting or at least viewing what my peers have posted every day. I have colleagues who are completing EdDs through local universities in a cohort model, and they express feeling a connection to their peers. I was concerned it would be difficult to create this same sense of camaraderie in an online platform. I have found that while it most definitely is not the same experience as being in person, the fact that I can learn at my own pace and time is important for me.
2. In terms of themes that resonate throughout the courses, I think that is up to each individual and how the student interprets makes meaning and draws connections across courses and content. For me, the coursework has helped me gain a greater understanding of the future potential of education due to technological advancements. Additionally, my personal experience with CG Scholar and reading the works of Drs. Cope and Kalantzis have helped me to strengthen my belief in the value of learners taking an active role in driving their learning. This has led me to reflect on the teaching and learning that happens at my junior high and brainstorm ways that 10-14 year olds can demonstrate responsibility and peer accountability throughout the learning process.
3. Time management is key. Blocking out chunks of time and scheduling my day is mission critical even on the weekends. I am pretty good with planning out time in my head; but if I have a lot of things going on, then I write a tight schedule for the entire weekend, scheduling things that are most important first. On school evenings, I have to be more flexible and my goal is to work as much as I can each night. I use steno pads at home (nothing fancy) to make my schedule. At school, I cannot live without Google Calendar. I run every day from that calendar. I tell everyone to send me a calendar invite. I block out time to talk to teachers during their planning periods and time to observe specific teachers or departments. Sometimes, I have to block out time to finish a paper or coursework; but I get way too many interruptions to count on that time.
4. CG Map has been a major learning curve for me. I had just gotten my feet under me with CG Scholar, and then I had to learn CG Map. I watched (and re-watched) the videos posted by the TAs. Our program has so many resources available to assist us on the website and admin updates. Additional resources are constantly provided, and the professors and TAs are always looking for ways to better support us. I have experienced times of frustration. For example, my work is finished but then CG Scholar or CG Map is down, so I cannot submit it or complete the peer reviews. Since my schedule is very tight, this can be frustrating. But such is life. Everything gets done eventually.
5. Work/life balance does not exist. My life is more work now. That is the season that I am in. If I didn't want that, I wouldn't choose this pathway and timeline. I have a personal goal, and I am committed to seeing it through. Having a supportive partner is key. He helps me to take breaks even when I think I don't need them and reframes my mindset when I push the panic button and think the world is ending.
6. Goals for the EdD journey...enjoy the process...learn as much as I can to apply to my job and make the best school that I can make for students and staff.

I hope this provides more specific information to address your questions.

Take care,
Melissa

• Melissa Zaniewski