More Changes for Gertrude
2008 is turning out to be another year of transition and change for both Kevin and I. While Kevin has been working steadily towards completion of a degree program at Dallas Theological Seminary, I have anticipated shifting my focus back to literacy. Although we have taken a couple of short trips back to Papua New Guinea since 2000 (to help with Scripture Use) it has been seven years since I have been involved in literacy work.
In January, I drastically reduced my time in recruiting in order to retool for ministry in literacy. Since I have many years of experience as a literacy specialist, I was invited to re-tool by teaching others in the Mega-Literacy course at the Graduate Institute of Linguistics in Dallas. The Mega Literacy courses is a graduate level requirement for missionaries-in-training wishing to obtain a Master's degree in Language Development. It covers everything from literacy theory and principles to literacy practice. All of the students are planning to serve overseas with a mission agency.
At first I thought I would simply be a teachers assistant (TA) but Dr. Steve Walter corrected that thought saying, "Oh, you're not just a TA, you are an associate instructor." It feels like the first year of teaching school. I have been challenged to prepare and deliver graduate level instruction on literacy topics like alphabet design, teaching methods, binding big books, literacy workshops and so forth.
I'm thankful for lecture notes of others who've taught prior courses. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy sitting in on other lectures. I will be teaching at GIAL just for this semester from February 15th to June 3rd. What an excellent way to re-tool for ministry overseas!
Created on December 5, 2008..................................