Tensions

Tensions seem to be the theme for the past few months. Since my last post I have been completely swamped, but completely enjoying it. AERA program chair work, while all consuming, is exciting and intellectually satisfying. I love our conference theme, especially since it's in New Orleans. My classes this semester are wonderful. I'm teaching Advanced Qualitative Research with 18 amazing doctoral students. Eighteen is a ton for this class (hence the tension), but the students are designing important studies and doing it well.

My literacy class is picking up on the movement started in the summer. Our website finally went live. Visit at schoolsarenotfactories.com and join. Over 25 people have joined since we went live, but only I have posted. Tension. Enthusiasm is high, need is great, but no one posts. Why? I can see that people have come to the site to look, but no one has jumped in yet. When I first announced the movement, over 100 people said they would join us. I don't get it.

Why is it that when my career is fabulous, I get so frustrated at the lack of progress in education? Or when work is sort of "settled" (if you can say that about academics), I feel like the bulls eye on a target? Or when my personal life is going as well as can be expected, I get more irritated at small things than I did when trauma was coming at me left and right? Tensions and confusion and totally loving it...