Location, Location, Location
Since 2010 I have lived in 5 different towns, in 2 different states. Yes, that is five moves in six years. Luckily I can organize like it's my job, because it kind of is. My most recent move happened very quickly. Within a month of finding out I needed to move I found a new home, packed up my old home, moved, and was completely unpacked in my new home. What's my secret? Duct Tape in bright colors and post it notes.
- Wernersville, PA
- State College, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Chestertown, MD
- Betterton, MD
- Wernersville, PA
- State College, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Chestertown, MD
- Betterton, MD
Attitude
Positivity
I used to be, what I consider to be, a negative person. I would complain, I was not solution oriented, and I was annoying myself. When I realized how discouraging it was for myself internally, and probably for those around me, I made a concerted effort to change. The change was slow at first, but whenever I heard myself complaining, I tried to identify either a positive in the situation and/or a solution. Over years, that has become natural. It has become part of my management and leadership style. Tutors who work for me know that I expect them to present constructive input when they have a problem. I do not expect others to always be able to solve problems, but I feel it is much more productive to balance negativity with at least some positivity. Especially in the work I do, positivity really makes a difference in the days of the students I work with, and has a big impact on my day to day work.
General Personality
I'm an outgoing introvert. I love interacting with students and engaging in professional dialogue. But I also need alone time to recharge. To me, that means in my personal time, but also at work when it is appropriate. I am also an observer. I enjoy, and see great value, in observing relationships, dynamics, circumstances, and procedures before passing judgement.
I am also wildly sarcastic. Most often this shows when I answer facetiously. Q: Do you like basketball and the NBA? A: Uh, yeah! I LOVE the NBA **actual conversation. At work, it can definitely be evident in my overall sense of humor.
I used to be, what I consider to be, a negative person. I would complain, I was not solution oriented, and I was annoying myself. When I realized how discouraging it was for myself internally, and probably for those around me, I made a concerted effort to change. The change was slow at first, but whenever I heard myself complaining, I tried to identify either a positive in the situation and/or a solution. Over years, that has become natural. It has become part of my management and leadership style. Tutors who work for me know that I expect them to present constructive input when they have a problem. I do not expect others to always be able to solve problems, but I feel it is much more productive to balance negativity with at least some positivity. Especially in the work I do, positivity really makes a difference in the days of the students I work with, and has a big impact on my day to day work.
General Personality
I'm an outgoing introvert. I love interacting with students and engaging in professional dialogue. But I also need alone time to recharge. To me, that means in my personal time, but also at work when it is appropriate. I am also an observer. I enjoy, and see great value, in observing relationships, dynamics, circumstances, and procedures before passing judgement.
I am also wildly sarcastic. Most often this shows when I answer facetiously. Q: Do you like basketball and the NBA? A: Uh, yeah! I LOVE the NBA **actual conversation. At work, it can definitely be evident in my overall sense of humor.
Personal Life
Work/School/Life Balance
It seems like work/life balance is an especially relevant conversation in higher education. Right now, work and school seem like they are my life. Since beginning my doctoral program (May 2016) I have worked towards finding a new balance. I had finally found a great balance in work and personal life before starting my new adventure. To me, it is all about priorities, and part of that means that when I am at work, work is my priority, when it is 'homework time' school is my priority. I find myself evaluating my priorities weekly, and planning ahead for weeks when I know either work or school will need to be more of a priority than the other. I make a point to take at least an hour or two every week that is just for me. That is important for anyone in order to give everything in their life 100%.
Hobbies and Interests
- Cross Stitching
- Knitting
- Organizing and Reorganizing
- Civil War
Social Life
Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is not something most people imagine being thrilling to young professionals. For me, it was absolutely thrilling as I drove to town the first time through farmland and open space. I have never been a 'city girl', and loved the transition to small town life. Of course that means I am further away from amenities (the closest Target is in another state, and more than 45 minutes away), but there are so many benefits. One of those benefits is the great friends I've made. In my spare time I love just going to lunch or dinner with friends, or going to any of the slightly eccentric town events.
My fiance and I live further outside of town, in a more rural area, but just blocks from a small beach. Sean is a teacher two counties over and plays the euphonium (it's like a mini tuba). In our free time we like walking around exploring the town, watching 'The Wire', and cooking.
Pets
Lola is an eight year old Shitzhu-mix. She is fluffy and adorable. She is the lady of the house and lets everyone know it. She loves squeeky toys and pulling the stuffing out of everything. Lola loves romping in the snow and has no fear of rain. She loves to make new friends and give them kisses, she is not as affectionate with me because I'm not new.
Lizzie Lew is the character, I should have known I would have trouble when I named her after my favorite Civil War spy. She is a three year old Miniature Pinscher/ Boston Terrier. She is terrified of everything (rain, snow, and her own shadow included) and takes a long time to warm up to people. She loves chasing balls, 'hiding' bones, annoying Lola, and crawling under the bed. She occasionally gets lost under the bed, but waits very patiently until I realize she is lost, and come to find her.
Someday, when I have a big enough house and a fenced-in yard, I would like to adopt another dog. For years I have anticipated naming a dog 'Abraham Lincoln', for short you could call him 'Abe' or 'Mr. President'. Like my other dogs, he will likely be a small dog, so I'm sure you can imagine how presidential he will look in a stove-pipe hat.
It seems like work/life balance is an especially relevant conversation in higher education. Right now, work and school seem like they are my life. Since beginning my doctoral program (May 2016) I have worked towards finding a new balance. I had finally found a great balance in work and personal life before starting my new adventure. To me, it is all about priorities, and part of that means that when I am at work, work is my priority, when it is 'homework time' school is my priority. I find myself evaluating my priorities weekly, and planning ahead for weeks when I know either work or school will need to be more of a priority than the other. I make a point to take at least an hour or two every week that is just for me. That is important for anyone in order to give everything in their life 100%.
Hobbies and Interests
- Cross Stitching
- Knitting
- Organizing and Reorganizing
- Civil War
Social Life
Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is not something most people imagine being thrilling to young professionals. For me, it was absolutely thrilling as I drove to town the first time through farmland and open space. I have never been a 'city girl', and loved the transition to small town life. Of course that means I am further away from amenities (the closest Target is in another state, and more than 45 minutes away), but there are so many benefits. One of those benefits is the great friends I've made. In my spare time I love just going to lunch or dinner with friends, or going to any of the slightly eccentric town events.
My fiance and I live further outside of town, in a more rural area, but just blocks from a small beach. Sean is a teacher two counties over and plays the euphonium (it's like a mini tuba). In our free time we like walking around exploring the town, watching 'The Wire', and cooking.
Pets
Lola is an eight year old Shitzhu-mix. She is fluffy and adorable. She is the lady of the house and lets everyone know it. She loves squeeky toys and pulling the stuffing out of everything. Lola loves romping in the snow and has no fear of rain. She loves to make new friends and give them kisses, she is not as affectionate with me because I'm not new.
Lizzie Lew is the character, I should have known I would have trouble when I named her after my favorite Civil War spy. She is a three year old Miniature Pinscher/ Boston Terrier. She is terrified of everything (rain, snow, and her own shadow included) and takes a long time to warm up to people. She loves chasing balls, 'hiding' bones, annoying Lola, and crawling under the bed. She occasionally gets lost under the bed, but waits very patiently until I realize she is lost, and come to find her.
Someday, when I have a big enough house and a fenced-in yard, I would like to adopt another dog. For years I have anticipated naming a dog 'Abraham Lincoln', for short you could call him 'Abe' or 'Mr. President'. Like my other dogs, he will likely be a small dog, so I'm sure you can imagine how presidential he will look in a stove-pipe hat.