When I entered into the MALAT program, I hoped that it would help me transition from a career in social services to education. I wanted to become an instructor, so I was happy to get an opportunity to collaborate with other instructors and learn from them. What I learned over the year is that the academic environment and its structure are not the right fit for me. This course and the final project were the last nails in the coffin of my idea to become an instructor. While writing this project plan I kept asking myself why is it such a struggle for me? Sure, English is not my first language, so that is one obvious obstacle, but not the biggest one. Even when I speak Ukrainian I tend to use an informal lexicon and shy away from academic\/formal language. When I speak English, the need to use a formal\/academic language slows down my brain to an unacceptable degree. I also do not think like instructors do(this has become apparent after doing numerous team assignments and talking to other students in a MALAT discord chat). Some people say that academic writing is just like any skill that you can master over time, but writing assignments like the final one we just did, reminds me of how the formal\/academic language is sucking the life out of my soul. It is the reason why I am never happy with the final result. I perceive it as just hideous because there is no life in it. It’s dead but forced to live like Frankenstein.
\nAnd yet this realization does not feel like a disaster. I still want to be an educator, but perhaps, my path lies outside of academia or the traditional education system such as school. Someplace that is less structured and less cultured. Somewhere where I can speak simply to people who appreciate simple language and don’t mind me swearing once in a while. I might have to stay in community services because I feel like my flaws are often seen as gifts here.
\nAt the same time, I really appreciate all the concepts I learned in this course and this program. Even though I do not see myself as an active agent of change or a leader, I want to be useful to leaders as an educator or an expert, so learning about different leadership styles and project management was great. I feel like now I can offer a critical eye if I am asked. This course has once again confirmed my suspicions that the quality of anything I produce is directly related to how passionate I am about it. Looks like writing plans, proposal and policies does not consume my soul. There must be another way to support change. And hopefully, there is always a place for a passive supporter of change within an organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When I entered into the MALAT program, I hoped that it would help me transition from a career in social services to education. I wanted to become an instructor, so I was happy to get an opportunity to collaborate with other instructors and learn from them. What I learned over the year is that the… Continue reading Unit 4, Activity 3 | Final Reflections<\/span>