Communication

Hi again

Week 3 of personal skills for supervisors saw us discussing communication and problem solving. It's very interesting to learn new things in areas I thought I was pretty good at like communicating. My high level of communication can be confirmed by my beautiful wife who you see with me in the picture. Don't mind the wierd guy next to me, you should see him in bicycle shorts.

Back to the subject at hand, it amazes me how Andy has been able to find books that so closely resembles what he teaches. The books seem to hold to the thought that what you are learning, and how to apply it, is so much more important than the "grade" you get from memorizing text.

I am very happy to be in a class with an instructor that believes in teaching us how to be good supervisors and how to use the stuff we learn in our jobs. I think we'll all be better for it.

On another note, I finally started my Word classes last night. I got through 3 of the 13 assignments so I got a good start. However, I did find out that my Excel classes are also due at the same time as Word, so I have 2 1/2 weeks to complete them both. Yikes!

Anyway, gotta go.

Talk atcha later.

Go Brewers.

The "meat" of the program

Hello once again,

Week 2 of the new class is in the books. We seem to be getting in what I imagine is the "meat and potatoes" of it all. Reading a couple chapters, doing chapter quizzes, and discussing what we've learned in the following class.

I think it's finally hitting me that I'm in college, and will be for quite some time. I am finding it difficult to set aside the time required to do homework and prepare (as evidenced by the fact that I still haven't started my Microsoft classes yet.

I'm working on getting down to one job in order to concentrate on school and the wife and kids more. I'm not sure if it will work, but I'm lucky to have the support of my wife, no matter what.

Anywho, I'll keep you posted.

Hope this finds you all well.

Bye now.

Grading Day

Hello again,

Well, this past Tuesday night was the night we got our grades for Intro to Portfolio. It was my first graded effort in over 10 years, so it was wierd to sit there and wait for my name to be called. I knew I had given good effort and was confident in my work, but still..............you never know.

Andy reviewed my papers with me and said my writing and thinking were excellent. He said my learning journal (one of the ongoing projects for the entire program) was one of the best he has ever gotten. He then said if he believed in extra credit, he'd give me an A+, but he doesn't, so I'd have to settle for an A. Wow!

I can't tell you how proud I was to hear that. It totally reassured me that I had made the right descion. I know it's only a one credit course, but I'm really happy with the results.

After everyone received their papers and grades, we started our first "course specific" class, Personal Skills for Supervisors. It's an 8 weeker. Have to read Chapter 1 and take some quizzes for next week's class. I'll keep you posted.

On a side note, I'd like to encourage all to remember those lost 7 years ago today, September 11, 2001. What a terrible day it was.

Seeya.

LAST CLASS!

Hi Everyone,

Well, last night was the last night of Into to Portfolio.

We all had to prepare a powerpoint (or is power point two words?) on what we learned in the class.

I'm usually pretty good about speaking in front of people, but I have to admit, I was pretty nervous. The fact that I had never created a powerpoint before didn't help. But after figuring out how to save my presentation to a jump drive (thanks Dad) and checking it on three different computers to make sure it was on there, it went pretty well.

Andy seemed to enjoy it and so did the class. I just highlighted some key points in my presentation and then shot from the hip on my explanations. That always worked best for me 10 long years ago in high school and it seemed to work well last night.

I then turned in my 8 reflection papers for grading. I find out next week on my grades, so I'll let you know. One of the papers was a learning journal that we are to keep up throughout the program. I figured this blog kinda fit the bill, so I took highlights out to start my journal. Worked out well.

One thing about the class, Andy said at the beginning that he takes pride in the fact that his classes tend to form a good camaraderie. I was skeptical at first, but let me tell you, after three weeks I already notice it. They say the proof is in the pudding and one guy was fighting back tears doing his presentation talking about his wife's liver cancer. Not easy to do after only 12 hours together.

I'm very excited about my program, my Instructor (Andy), and the possibilities that lie ahead.

I also look forward to sharing it with you and getting feedback as well. Thank you for keeping up and posting your comments. I enjoy reading them.

Hope this finds you well.

Jon