I feel sorry for the library. It has truly lost its glory in the past 10 years. Once thought of as the end-all-be-all place for information, it has been replaced by Internet search engines that quickly lead us to websites within minutes. No one takes the time to browse the library’s shelves anymore, leaving dust to settle on our nation’s most valued treasures – books. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Category: Teaching
Big Wheel Keep on Turnin’
As young children, we often live in the shadows of our siblings. We tend to tag along with the older ones, mimicking their likes and dislikes. We dote on the younger ones, trying to play mom while tending to their wants and needs. As the middle child, clearly suffering from middle child syndrome, I always felt part of the gang but clearly suffered from an identity crisis. I was Dana’s younger sister. I was Molly’s older sister. I was the middle one, the only one without red hair. In reality, though, I just wanted to be Shannon. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
College Media Advising: Learning to Let Go
Advising a student newspaper is very much like teaching a child how to ride a bike. Cautious and slow at first, a parent is right there, guiding, supporting, and coaching. As the child gets the hang of it and gains confidence, you slowly push away and let him or her ride off on his own, watching his every move from a distance and hoping for the best. Sometimes the kid crashes, sometimes he stops himself, afraid to move on, and other times, he rides recklessly without any fear, throwing caution to the wind. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Look At This Photograph
Although my title indicates a possible reference to a Nickelback song, this post is about much more than music. It’s about the power of photos. Photos are keepsakes. My sister has more than 100 scrapbooks of photos in her house, chronicling her life, her children’s lives – and every person she has ever come into contact with. My photos, while valuable to me, sit in a big box in my basement, patiently waiting for my organized sister to take on the project. Photos tell a story. Photos bring back memories. Photos encourage us to reflect and think critically about life. Reflection and critical thinking are at the core of my English Composition class this semester, which is why the first assignment of the semester asks my students to choose a photograph and write a brief narrative story either detailing what is happening in the photo, a memory that it stirs, or a reflection triggered from the photo. I’m one of “those” teachers that strongly believes that if I’m going to ask my students do something, I should, too. So, my visual reflection assignment follows: Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
What I Love Most About Teaching
Never in a million years did I ever think I would find myself in the teaching field. In third grade, I swore I was going to be a court reporter. In eighth grade, I was going to be the next Joan Jett. In high school, I wanted to pursue a career in music. At the onset of college, it was accounting, then music marketing, then public relations, then business, and ultimately, journalism. I had big dreams to get OUT of school, not to stay in it. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Five Things Every Student Journalist Should Do … Now
Student journalists are busy people. Beyond tending to class work, outside jobs, and attempting to have somewhat of a social life, they spend their days brainstorming story ideas, writing stories, gathering video and photos, laying out pages, and managing ethical dilemmas. They work tirelessly to produce fair, accurate, and balanced coverage of campus communities while also trying to inform and entertain readers. As a college media adviser, my job is to provide the resources and training needed, guide and counsel students, and even serve as a sounding board when the pressure is leading to burnout. Read more at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Need a Therapist? Try Writing
I’m not a therapist, nor will I ever be. I’m not even the type that gives advice and counsels others well. I can’t solve world problems, let alone my own problems. We all have problems that inconvenience our daily lives – problems with work, school, and home. Significant others, parents, children, friends, and family members test our patience, tempers, and will. Health problems plague many of us, financial woes are in full swing, and the uncertainty of our future path makes life stressful more often than not. Read more at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Writing From the Grave
Death is so taboo. People fear it, avoid discussing it, and shudder at the thought of it. In reality, though, death opens up someone’s life story. When a person dies, his or her life’s story unfolds and then becomes newsworthy. To counteract feelings of despair, family, friends, and co-workers reflect on the deceased, tell stories of the past, and ingrain this person’s image and likeliness with memories. Read more at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Social Media Overload
I’ve spent the past few days immersed, overwhelmed, delighted, and frustrated with social media. As participants in the Associated Collegiate Press Summer Journalism Workshops in Minneapolis, Minn. four of my students and I have been bombarded with high-tech options for reinventing and improving the standards for student newspaper publishing.
Procrastination Kills Confidence
As a journalist, procrastination is an evil trait. Once the excitement of gathering facts, interviews, notes, and observations dwindles, procrastination often sets in. The only thing left to do? Write the damn story.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 