Welcome to our Ed of Exceptional course blog!
Follow my lead...
Introduce yourself: where you're from, what your interests are (hobbies, studies, travels, etc.), and one thing that makes you truly exceptional. The word has a connotation when coupled with special education, but truly about 85% of us are exceptional in some way (I just feel bad for the 15% who are not!)
So here goes!
I'm Dr. Barri Bumgarner (Dr. Bum, if you prefer), and I'm originally from southwest Missouri. I grew up in Lebanon, got my B.S. in Ed. at Missouri State (then SMSU), and I played tennis and basketball while in college. I then taught 7th grade for a few years, directed a KinderCare for the next 5, then taught junior high in Columbia for ten years. During that time, I wrote seven novels, published three, have a couple more on the way, and decided I would get my Masters in Education. While at University of Missouri, I taught education classes, got lured into getting my PhD, and two years ago, I graduated and last year started at Westminster! Whew...way more than you wanted to know.
I love to travel (heading to St. Thomas for Christmas this year), I'm a voracious sports fan (KC Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, Mizzou, WC!, tennis...), and if I have my choice, I'd rather be out by my pool with my puppies than just about anywhere else.
One thing that makes me exceptional is that, aside from being ADHD, I don't take no for an answer. When someone tells me I can't do something, I strive to prove them wrong. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. Most of the time, it allows me to live my dream. So far, in my late 40s, I've done just that...
Now it's your turn! Tell us about yourself, and each of you respond to one another's intros!
I find it interesting that you don't take no for an answer. I am reading a book called Love Does by Bob Goff, and in one of his stories, he talks about how he got rejected from law school, but really wanted in. So, he told the Dean to tell him to go get his books. The Dean still said no, so Goff sat in front of the Dean's office for the week before school started, and every time the Dean would pass by, he would say the same thing he told him in his office. The second day of classes, the Dean told him to go get his books. I find it powerful how perseverance in times when it looks dismal can pay off and turn things around. In the long run, it does in fact help you to reach your dreams.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to my blogger!:
http://abibaxedu231o.blogspot.com/
I am excited to be in this class.
I totally agree. And I've heard about the Goff book. It's amazing in education just how powerful perseverance can be. An average student can be a straight A student just with that trait alone.
DeleteI also find your drive/passion interesting, and honestly, inspiring. Being a religious studies major without a graduate degree pretty much means that the only thing I can do at this point is work in the service industry. There's a joke about English and philosophy being bartenders that could fit my predicament well. Anyway, I find your ability to go back to school after so long a beacon of hope. At this point, I am not going to grad school, but eventually I would like to. You went back, so why can't I? My blog URL is http://abigailstokesedu-o14.blogspot.com/. Looking forward to these next 6 weeks~
ReplyDeleteHey don't knock being a bartender. Was a bartender/waitress at a nice restaurant in college (MSU) and made more money than I did teaching... :-/
DeleteDr. Bum, I'm excited to (hopefully) hear more stories about your childhood. I enjoyed the ones you shared with us in our reading class :) I also think it is interesting that you "strive to prove people wrong". I once had an English teacher in high school that told our class that it would be nearly impossible to get an "a" in his class. This made me furious, since I knew I was capable of getting an "A". He also mentioned that when, and if we did get an "A" it would be towards the end of the year. I was extremely frustrated. My first assignment I received an "A". The only student in our class might I add. I was so proud of myself. While that is incredibly frustrating when someone tells you that you can't do something, I think in a way it is even more motivating.
ReplyDeleteI HATED teachers who did that. What if they had a whole class full of Albert Einsteins and Steven Hawkings? Good for you for being the A!
DeleteSorry I am late. My name is Dennis and I am a Physical Education major. I admire the competitive attitudes and mindsets I have read about from all your blogs. My exceptional learning revolves around positive motivation and enthusiasm. I have had a lot of teachers and coaches that did not seem to be very enthusiastic about the material they are teaching. As a coach or teacher I think gaining the complete attention of your students is extremely important and being very engaged and enthusiastic helps kids want to learn what is being presented to them.
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