Week 3: Prompt 1: Captain Kirk’s Leadership Lessons

One of the leadership lessons of Captain Kirk that Alex Knapp writes about in his essay, "Five Leadership Lessons from James T. Kirk," writes about is “Never Stop Learning” (28).  This lesson is valuable to me because it embodies one of my personal philosophies.  I believe that we should be lifelong learners.

Knapp writes, “You know the greatest danger facing us is ourselves, an irrational fear of the unknown. But, there’s no such thing as the unknown – only things temporarily hidden, temporarily not understood” (28).

The statement rings true for me because it is true.  If you do not know something, then, it is not a problem.  All you have to do is look it up, ask a question, or seek an answer.  There is not much that will remain unknown if you look for an answer.  Yes, there are times when you may not be able to find the answer when you are looking for it, but there is an answer, it is just hidden.

It is important to value knowledge because it helps us grow as a person.  It helps you become better.  It helps you be informed.  It provides data, evidence, facts, figures, and more that will keep you from being duped or deceived.  It is even biblical to be a lifelong learner.  Hosea 4:6a (ERV) states, “My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge.”  Without knowledge, your mind can be shattered, so, it is vital that you continue to learn, no matter what age, or station you are in.

As Knapp eloquently states, “The more knowledge you have, the more creative you can be. The more you’re able to do, the more solutions you have for problems at your disposal. Sure, you might never have to face down a reptilian alien on a desert planet, but you never know what the future holds. Knowledge is your best key to overcoming whatever obstacles are in your way” (29).

Works Cited

Knapp, Alex. "Five Leadership Lessons from James T. Kirk." Read, Write, Reason, Edited by Dorothy U. Selyler, McGraw-Hill Education, 2015. 28-32. e-file.

Week 2: Prompt 2: College Ain't Easy

Prompt: What advice can you give a high schooler who is preparing for college? Be sure to give specific, concrete, sound, helpful advice.

As a college professor, teaching Dual Credit classes, now, I would encourage high schoolers, specifically juniors and seniors to take Dual Credit classes, if available at their school.  Taking Dual Credit classes give students a chance to see what college is like.  It helps them understand the pacing of the courses, what is required, and how college is different than high school.

By taking a Dual Credit class, often on their school campus, students also have another advantage.  They get to take a college level course, and get college credit in the process, so when they get to their selected college campus, they will not have to take that class, because they took it as a high school student.  Most classes offered are core courses that the students will have to take for their degree requirements.

Dual Credit gives high school students a distinct benefit; they learn valuable lessons and skills that will help them when they go to the college of their choice.  They will be better equipped to handle certain aspects of college because they have knowledge that other college freshmen do not already have.

Many community or junior colleges offer Dual Credit classes, which I learned after getting a job as an English professor.  I wish I had this option when I was a high school student.

If your school offers Dual Credit classes, please check them out, but remember, you have to be ready to be a college student, because that is how the professor will treat you.

Blog Prompts...

Since I'm giving my students blog prompts, I'm going to post my responses to the prompts as well...

Wait, wasn't I supposed to do that last semester?  Well, here we go again.

I'll do better this time.

Spring 2017

It’s the Spring semester.  I’m ready to get to back to work.  I’m only teaching two classes.  I overdid it last semester teaching 6 classes.

ENGL1302 is usually fun because I don’t have to “baby” the students so to speak.  I can teach, and let them do all the hard work.  I have to remember to tell them that they need to be college students.

I’m loving Dual Credit, although I wasn’t sure about it at first.  It’s cool seeing the high schoolers learn and grow.  I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

As Jay Fever says… Let’s get it… Let’s go!