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 87% of us are exceptional in some way (I just feel bad for the 13% who are not!) [Exceptionalities range from diagnoses like ADD to shyness, gifted to struggling reader, the autism spectrum, hyper-sensitive to apathetic -- we will explore a lot of them!]
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 a decade. 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 three years ago, I became an Assistant Professor at Westminster! Whew...way more than you wanted to know.
As for hobbies, I love to travel (I usually go to St. Thomas around Christmas, this summer I'm traveling to Dauphin Island/West Palm/Savannah, Ga), I'm a voracious sports fan (KC Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, Mizzou, WC!, tennis...), and if I have my choice, I'd rather be at a concert or out by my pool with my puppies than just about anywhere else. I also absolutely LOVE books...reading them, listening to them, writing them, talking about them. And I am VERY plugged in -- I taught a seminar at WC called "There's an App for That" and I've led the initiative to get Westminster to go 1:1 (every student gets and iPad). It is about to happen! All things digital will help you evolve in this decade in almost every single profession (though I pride myself on knowing when to still pick up pen and paper!). But 92% of all western culture professions use digital literacy in some way (medicine, law, education, business, engineering, etc.)
One thing that makes me exceptional is that, first of all, I am ADHD. Second of all, I am stubborn to a fault and 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, just now into my 50s, I've done just that...
Now it's your turn! Tell us about yourself, and each of you respond to one another's intros!
My name is Kimber Summers, I'm 19 years old, and in August I'll be entering into my 4th year at Westminster! I'm originally from Portland, Missouri, but moved to Fulton in the 1st grade. I started going to WestMo when I was 16, and a junior in High School. I absolutely love it here, and actually ended up choosing WestMo over Harvard (which I only applied to, to see if I could get in). I got a full ride in the fall, which wasn't expected, and so even though 2016-2017 will be my fourth year here, I'm going to stay for the full four years covered in my scholarship, and just do a lot of semesters abroad/get multiple degrees.
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in Sewing, I make a lot of my own clothes, and traveling! I just finished up a Semester at Sea, and right now I am in Hungary working on an eco project, doing lots of sustainable building! In a few weeks I'll be in Ukraine teaching English. After that, I'll be in Poland, also teaching English. Then, to South Korea another Semester abroad, and lastly to Kenya for a third semester abroad. I travel super cheap- hitchhiking, working in exchange for room and board, etc. It adds to the adventure! All together I will be gone from America for about 20 months! My majors are cognitive neuroscience and K-12 world language education in Spanish (not yet declared), and also possible sociology. My plan after I graduate is to travel the world and teach English!
What makes me exceptional are 1. My ADHD. They've been feeding me adderall since the third grade. I stopped taking it last fall semester because I was convinced I didnt actually have ADHD, and then I found myself unable to stop my thoughts from drifting every 5 minutes in Dr. Brunner's class, despite telling myself several times to stop day dreaming, and pay attention. Then I was like "eh, yeah. I probably do have ADHD"
2. I was classified as "gifted" in the 5th grade. I entered Fulton's gifted program "Project extra" in the 6th grade, and it was awesome. For 3 years we had amazing semester long units. These included subjects such as photography, which included making our own functioning pinhole cameras out of oatmeal containers, turning our classroom closet into a darkroom, and developing our own film. Marketing, which included actually starting our own profitable coffee business in the Middle School (We were in business my whole time there, but I don't know if it's currently still going). Free semesters, which involved picking our own subject and researching/writing a paper on it for the whole semester. I wrote a whole 20 page paper on "strange diseases". I'm excited to get to the gifted part of the book/class because I don't think I would have accomplished as much- starting Westminster so early, getting accepted to Harvard etc- and I'm excited to offer the sort of academic challenges that I need and received, to my own students!
Holy cow! Harvard?! Also I enjoyed reading about your adventures studying abroad! Definitely a cool experience, and I am sure you are walking away with many stories as well as a great experiences! When it comes to being exceptional, that you are. The gifted program that you were in sounded very fun but also sounded like it provided great opportunities for you. I look forward to reading more blogs from you!
DeleteLike Kaitlyn said "Holy cow! Harvard?!". That's a very cool achievement. I bet its a blast studying abroad and it sounds like you will be everywhere! You are living life to the fullest and I hope you walk away with many of memories. The gifted program you were involved in must of been fun (except that 20 page paper!). I'm just kidding and I can't wait to hear what else you have to say!
DeleteI always find it nice to "meet" someone else who enjoys making clothes. I guess I do less actual making of clothes and more adding character but its close enough! I am very impressed with what I've read of your travel stories so far; especially to hear that you really work hard for the experiences. Do you usually travel alone or do you have any friends that you study abroad with?
DeleteI'm so excited that you're doing so much traveling and studying abroad. It is SUCH a valuable experience. I HIGHLY recommend it to all students, especially future teachers. How can we teach our kids to learn about others if we haven't first done the same?
ReplyDeleteWe could now enter into a great debate about politics and Trump v. Sanders v. Clinton, but we'll save that for another day (or not). :-)
Welcome to another class, Kimber. Glad to have you aboard!
My name is Kaitlyn Sampson and I am now a senior at Westminster College. I am 21 and I am from Kansas City, MO. At Westminster I am a psychology major and an education minor as well as a cheerleader. I enjoy watching and playing sports, and of course cheering on the players. Just like Dr. Bum I am a KC Chiefs fan, however when it comes to baseball I am a KC Royals fan! I enjoy shopping, swimming, playing with animals, and hanging out with friends and family. My goals are to graduate from WESTMO, get my masters in counseling, and become a high school counselor. Currently I am a behavioral technician at an health care place and am enjoying the summer.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to being exceptional, hopefully Im not in that 13%, but I have not been diagnosed with any learning disabilities.. However, even though I have not been diagnosed, I am a really inpatient person, similar to those who have ADD. Also, I used to be really shy when it came to public speaking or reading out loud, but coming to Westminster College, I sort of grew out of that phase being that in almost every class you have to hold discussions or give presentations. Even though I do not consider myself that exceptional I am very excited and interested in learning about various exceptionalities!
Is everyone is a psych major? There isn't anything wrong with that. I'm sorry Kaitlyn but the Cardinals are better than the Royals. Being a High school counselor would be fun and you would make a great counselor. You sound pretty lucky and gifted to not have any learning disabilities. I was shy and still can be in some ways. Westmo is a great way to get over that because all classes has presentation which makes you get out of your comfort zone. There are times where I still get nervous speaking in front of the class. Can't wait to read and respond to more of your blogs. Go CARDNIALS!
DeleteI think high school counselors are the most important ones. Kudos to you for wanting to take on such an important role in the education system. As for being shy, I'm glad to hear its gotten easier for you to speak in public since coming to Westmo. Even after 1 year here, I too have seen myself become more outgoing and willing to step out of my comfort zones.
DeleteOh cool, you're a psych major too? I wonder if we've had any classes together-although surely we have by this point. High school counselor-sounds like... you'll never be bored!!! How lucky that you don't have any learning disabilities. WestMo really is a good place to get over shyness/fears of public speaking. I actually think in some of my seminar classes you end up looking worse if you don't contribute anything at all rather than say something and it sound a little weird or dumb.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Kaitlyn :)
You gals are way ahead of the curve! I'm going to continue putting Blogs and materials up but note that a few things are being revised (I added Blog #3 to end of Week 1, because I didn't want too much in Week 3...that week is just one project). :-)
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Solomon Weider and I will be a senior this coming school year. I am majoring in physical education and would love to coach baseball. Also when getting a job I would be willing to go anywhere but I would love to get a job around the Lake of the Ozarks. I am from Dixon, Missouri where very little people know where that is at. The population is a little over 1,500. I have three brothers and I am the second oldest. Their names are Jared, Isaac, and Abram.
ReplyDeleteI like to try new things and have many hobbies. I love to play sports (Basketball, baseball, softball, and golf), go hunting, fishing, play cards, and play video games. This summer I have been playing a lot of golf and swimming.
When it comes to being exceptional, my mom and teachers noticed that I was a struggling reader. I didn't like reading at all because I couldn't get into/focused in the book. I went in on mornings to meet with a teacher to help me improve my reading skills. I had a very tough time retaining the information when I read it. Also I had a speech problem when I was in middle school. I couldn't pronounce my R's the correct way. I never really knew that it was a problem but I could remember people asking me "what did you say"?
I'm glad i'm not the only one who comes from a small town. Although 1,500 is way less than 12,000. Right now I am in a city of 250,000 and everyone always says "oh its so small and boring here". Like, let me tell you about where I grew up haha. It's good that you received the proper help to improve your reading and pronunciations. My brother used to have a really bad speech impediment too. No one could understand him except me and my mother, and until he went to speech therapy, we would always have to "translate" what he was saying to others. Nice to meet you!
DeleteI look forward to your other posts :)
I admire that you play so many sports; like I mentioned in my post, I am not very athletic. I did not, but my younger sister has had similar reading problems. She actually was diagnosed with dyslexia and went through a 12 step program in order to learn skills to help her read better. Anyway, I'm glad you got the help you needed.
DeleteHey Solly! You and I are going to have to agree to disagree about the Royals vs Cards, however I think you would be a great physical edu. teacher and or coach. I didn't like to read out loud much either but glad you improved your skills. Can't wait to read more from you!
ReplyDeleteHello, My name is Madilynn Rose Blum. I will be a sophomore this upcoming year. I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I volunteered in a kindergarten classroom for my senior high school project. I was born and raised in Saint Louis. I lived in a small ranch in Manchester till I was 10. Now I live in a ranch in Town and Country. I have played every sport available to me; most for only a season or two. Exceptions being tennis(5 years), swimming(10 years), and soccer(8 years). I like to tell people I was better at quitting than I was at the actual sport. In reality, I’m just not very athletic.
ReplyDeleteMy hobbies include mostly art. I enjoy taking photographs and especially when documenting moments that are special to me. My favorite way to take a picture is with one of my polaroid cameras. For some reason that feels more genuine to me. Other hobbies include, knitting, needlepointing, tie dying (my favorite), up cycling an old pair of jeans into a unique pair of shorts, and, my newest interest, embroidering sayings and designs on t-shirts with my mom’s embroidery machine.
When asked what makes me exceptional, 2 things come to mind. Number one, I was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of my sophomore year of high school, however, I had been telling my parents since I was in 2nd grade that I had trouble concentrating in almost all aspects of life. Secondly, I'd say my ability to love and truly appreciate without getting attached, obsessed or depending on something. This is true whether that's a person, an object, or something as simple as a beautiful view.
Teaching kindergarten should be fun!! As Kimber said you sound really artsy and creative. Wow you knew way before you were diagnosed with ADHD. Can't wait to hear more from you!
DeleteWelcome to the ADHD club! Ha! You sound really artsy and creative! Do you think your ADHD affects your arty side at all? My sister has ADD, but she said that when she takes her medicine, she finds it very difficult to be creative and work on her paintings. Do you have the same problems?
ReplyDeleteI do have the same issue. I hate taking my medicine; it makes me feel like a robot, but it's the easiest way that I've found for me to concentrate on school work. I don't take my medicine over the summer because it makes me feel like this. I'm hoping that I will be able to concentrate enough manage my work load for this class easily. I figured one class at a time can't be too hard.
DeleteYour hobbies sound awesome! I too enjoy taking pictures and I've made jeans into shorts too... I think I will stick to shorts I get from the store. ADHD can be challenging but I would be interested in hearing the answer to Kimber's question.. Would it be difficult or help you stay calm and focused, almost therapeutic? Can't wait to read more from you!
ReplyDelete