Reflection 2: So What?
Situation:
You say goodbye to the friendly stranger, and you continue on your journey. You have finally made it to the coffee shop. Your place your order, sit down at a vacant table and you plug in your laptop. You pause for a minute and take a deep breath. (No, really. Take a moment and take a deep breath.) You look toward the counter in the coffee shop and you see a familiar face. The stranger who bumped into you on the sidewalk works at the coffee shop. Intrigued by your project, the stranger/barista brings your order to you and begins to ask you more questions.
How did you choose the topic of your capstone?
When deciding on the topic for my capstone, the requirement that stood out the most to me was for the class to teach something that Texas A&M University as a whole would benefit from its students' learning. I have always had a passion for self-growth and personal development and think this is something that should hold importance for all people, so the Enneagram instantly came to mind. The Enneagram is focused on broadening worldviews and enhancing understanding of the experiences of others, which leads to a life led with compassion. Since Texas A&M University prides itself on cultivating leadership, this class would benefit the university by shaping its students into better leaders.
How did you decide on the particular approach or theories guiding your project?
The main theory guiding my project is the book “The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery” by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. I read this book during quarantine in April and was instantly compelled by the authors’ method of delivering the message, as they gave a broad view of each type at first, and then dug deeper into how that type usually acts in different parts of life. My particular approach to guiding my project is spending the first nine weeks teaching types one through nine, and then diving into how the enneagram relates to relationships, the workplace, and politics.
How are you growing through the process of developing your capstone?
I am growing through the process of developing my capstone by learning more about myself and how my own life experiences have shaped who I am today, as well as gaining empathy and respect for the experiences of those around me. I am also becoming increasingly aware of the countless hours of work and effort that go into each curriculum, which teachers put in behind the scenes and do not get nearly enough credit for.
What have your feelings been towards the development of your capstone?
My feelings towards the development of my capstone have changed very much from when I first started. For transparency's sake, when I began this project, the greatest feeling I encountered was being overwhelmed by what seemed like a vast and daunting next couple of semesters. After my class got approved and I began to get in the swing of things, I realized that I thoroughly enjoy every effort I put into my capstone. I know that I will only get out of it what I put into it, so I have a desire to put maximum effort into making my class the best it will be. I now treat researching for my class and writing these reflections as a brain break, not another “homework” assignment to complete.
What are your plans for collaboration on your project?
My plans for collaboration on my project include emailing my faculty advisor on the progress I am making and see if she has any ideas to collaborate on. During class, I plan on each of my students learning through collaboration and participation. Since most of the Enneagram is up to personal interpretation (like religion or any other “soft” science), I will not be grading my students on being “right” or “wrong” in a black-and-white sense, but rather by the effort they are putting into the class. The vision for my project in its entirety is dependent on collaboration between my students.
What has excited AND discouraged you throughout this creative process?
The aspect that has excited me the most throughout this creative process is the fact that I get to share something I am so passionate about with others who may have never heard of the Enneagram if not having taken my course. I am excited to watch the personal development that will occur in my students if they dive deep into this class. The main idea that has discouraged me throughout this creative process is the high possibility that my class will be solely in an online format. This is discouraging because, as a student, I know how difficult it is to pay attention, absorb information, and be engaged in what you are learning when it occurs through a computer screen. However, this discouragement is fueling me to find ways to keep my students active and involved even if online.
Explain how the three words apply to your creative process.
The three words from Reflection 1 that relate to my project are self-discovery, compassion, and progress. These apply to my creative process because as I am searching for creativity in developing my capstone, this is resulting in self-discovery of my own Enneagram type and my ability to adjust to unforeseen circumstances. Progress also relates to my creative process because every day I am making progress towards my capstone reaching its ultimate potential.