Weekly Reflection Paper No. 5 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 5

There is so much about this week that I’ve found to be enlightening, rewarding, and inspiring. As I’ve comfortably found my rhythm assisting Dora with clerical and administrative duties, notifying students of upcoming assignments, creating study guides, and anticipating transferring class content to Moodle, I spent quite a bit of time researching the lasted trends in the dance industry, and how the information relates to interviewing and auditioning for professional dance opportunities.

During my research, I stumbled upon the “Cedars-Sinai/USC Glorya Kaufman Dance Medicine Center “THE DANCER AS THE ULTIMATE ATHLETE AN INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE ON THE MERGING OF DANCE AND SPORTS.” I mentioned the event to Dora and was delighted that she was interested in attending.

According to the flyer, “The fourth annual conference is designed to bring together physicians, dancers and athletes to discuss the care, treatment and prevention of dance-related injuries. In addition to offering 11 breakout sessions, this year’s conference will also include a question and answer session with celebrity panelists Greg Louganis and Cathy Rigby,” however, Dora and I left the event with the same impression: it was an enjoyable event, but it provided nothing innovative in Sports/Dance/Medicine. In my opinion, it was just a bunch of fluff, offering little to no new insight on the care and prevention of dance-related injuries.

The Monday following the Cedar’s event, was the Dance Audition Workshop I helped to arrange for the students. It was led by Jim Keith, President/Partner/Agent of The Movement A Talent Agency, and Jackie Sleight, Choreographer, Director, and Educator. As I mentioned in previous Reflection Papers, much of the information I have complied and shared with the class has been met with underwhelming interest by some of the students. On the day of the audition, it was terribly obvious which students did not do their homework. In some cases, we wondered if they had even read the flyer. Thankfully, there were several students who obviously took the information to heart and did very well during the audition.

It was such an incredible experience to witness Jim and Jackie work as a team to give the students the cold hard fact of the dance and entertainment world. Jackie Sleight’s generosity and passion as an educator appeared to have a tremendous impact on the students. There is no doubt Jackie had an enormous impact on me. It was extremely humbling as well as empowering to have Jackie point to both me and Dora and say, “listen to what these two women have to say…they have so much information to give you…be greedy it take it all in…listen to what they have to say!” To be acknowledged by someone I admire, and respect, and studied with almost twenty years ago, was so inspiring.

Jackie’s acknowledgement, and working with the students to help prepare them to present a professional image as a dance educator or professional dancer, reminded me how important it is to practice what I preach. I realized I needed to start evaluating my experience and my credentials, and began working on updating my professional image. I worked on updating my website and resume-both of which I have neglected for the last two years while I have been in the LEAP Program. You can find my updated information at www.ControlledBurnFitness.com

By guiding the students who are hungry for success, I’ve realized how much I really miss working with people who are hungry to succeed and who embrace hard work and step up to challenges. Though I’ve discontinued working in-person with personal training clients for the last year, I began providing personalized online training plans; on-line and over the phone nutritional guidance; and have conducted coaching sessions over the phone; as well as continued to attend, participate in, and support clients at endurance events. I am now even more motivated to quickly finish my degree and get back to work. I miss making a difference! J

5. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 6 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 6

The Wednesday following the Dance Audition Workshop with Jim Keith and Jackie Sleight, Dora held a “round table” discussion with the students of the DANCE 107 class who had participated in the workshop. Hearing each of the students give their perspective about the experience they had in the workshop was as enjoyable as it was validating.

Many of the students who had not completed their Bio/Resume assignments conveyed how they now realize that working on their professional appearance on paper, is as important as important as working on their professional physical appearance in person. Several students took the initiative and asked me to take a look at their dance educator bio, resume, and pictures, as well as their performance bio, resume, and pictures. They not only wanted my opinion, they wanted to know what they could do to make them better.

Considering the resistance that Dora and I were receiving from the students in regards to the assignments we had given to help prepare the students for the audition workshop, and to begin work on their portfolios, it was great to see the students finally understanding the importance of going through the process that each assignment requires.

In addition to the students’ realization that their on-paper appearance needs some work, many students got the wake-up-call that they really needed to heed the advice we have been giving about taking dance classes outside of the comfortable confines of Glendale Community College. Several students expressed how they were “over their head” when it came to executing the simple across the floor exercises that they were given. Additionally, many students realized they needed quite a bit more work when it came to picking up choreography.

Thanks to observing the students as they participated in the workshop, and having to opportunity to hear about the students’ experiences afterwards, I now know the moments, hours, and days of frustration were definitely worth it. I am absolutely proud of the work I put into the Bio/Resume documents, and Bio/ Resume workshop. I presented to the class. With each week I become more aware of how much I enjoy mentoring young dancers. It is exciting to be a part of the process of helping these young dancers gain the tools they need to reach their goals.

Additionally, the discussion about the workshop with the students in the Dance Teaching Methodology class, lent the opportunity to steer the discussion towards how the workshop experience impacted the way they see themselves as current/future dance educators. During the discussion, some students began to understand how much they really do need to learn before they can consider teaching dance to anyone but young children.

It was during this time in the discussion that I suggested to Dora that we create an assignment for the students to interview a dance teacher outside of Glendale Community College so they can better understand what is necessary to be a competent dance educator. I am thrilled to inform you that Dora gave me the go-ahead to put something together. I’ll be working on that later today. But first, I have been given the exciting task to prepare a rubric for grading the rough drafts of the students’ portfolios that will be turned in later this week. J

I cannot wait to see how well the students do with their portfolio rough drafts. Their success will be a testament to the hard work and thoughtfulness that went into preparing each assignment, for the arrangement of the workshop, and for each discussion.

‘till next week! J

6. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 7 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 7

I am beaming with pride! First of all, I am thrilled to inform you that Dora approved of the “TEMPLATE DANCE 107 Midterm Portfolio Evaluation” template I put together. However, I am even more thrilled that she gave me the go-ahead to take a stab at evaluating the portfolios on my own so she can assess my ability to objectively assess student’s work.

I took the task very seriously; as seriously as if these were my students, and I would treat my students as fairly and considerately as Dora treats her students. I am proud to say I have had the honor to have learned from the best. (FYI, Dora did not take it easy on my twenty years ago when I was her ballet student, and she expects even more from me now as one of her academic students! And I am thankful!)

While evaluating each portfolio, I knew how important it was to hold each portfolio up to the standards that had been set from the beginning of the semester. I understood that though some of the students had more dance and professional work experience than others, I could not take that into consideration. It was my responsibility to remain focused on the standards outlined in the syllabus and conveyed by Dora to the students throughout the weeks leading up to the portfolio rough draft deadline.  What was required from each component of the portfolio in order for it to be considered acceptable had been explicitly conveyed, and I was not to lose focus of that.

I am happy to report that I did a mighty fine job! Dora approved of my evaluations: “Excellent (what else, this is YOU). I will miss you terribly when the semester is over. Dora…” and instructed me to put together the “DANCE 107 Midterm Portfolio Evaluation” document. I also went ahead and put each of the evaluated portfolios in order from highest awarded points to the lowest which can been seen in the document, “DANCE 107 Midterm Portfolio Evaluation Standings.” And to take it a bit further, I cut each “evaluation standing” out to be placed in each portfolio so Dora could write in final comments, grades, etc. Though Dora graded each portfolio individually for her records, following her own rubric, she informed me that she agreed with my evaluations and that I did a good job.

I loved the process of evaluation. Not only did it give me the opportunity to review my knowledge and expertise in creating a respectable professional portfolio, I had the opportunity to learn from Dora about the guidelines a college dance professor has to follow when creating rubrics, following them throughout the evaluative process, and how everything must coincide with the lesson plan and syllabi.

In addition to the midterm portfolio evaluations, I completed quite a bit of work. I prepared a written assignment for “Senior Dance” and the corresponding document, “DANCE 107 Written Assignment Senior Dance.” In addition to the senior assignment and document, I prepared a document for another senior-related assignment, “DANCE 107 Teaching Dance to Seniors,” which is designed for the students to apply information they learned during the “Written Assignment Senior Dance” assignment and apply it to creating a lesson plan appropriate for active adults age 55+. And though we thought of the “Interview a Dance Educator” assignment during the week of the audition workshop, we held off on creating the document “DANCE 107 Interview a Dance Educator” til now, and it will be sent out on the day the “Written Assignment Senior Dance” is due.

Though I am loving all the work, Dora told me to “take the rest of the week and the weekend off!” She’s going to take a break too! J

7. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 8 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 8

There is no doubt that having a few days off from taking care of obligations related to interning as the DANCE 107 Student Supervisor has been welcome. However, being granted some time off does not mean I was enjoying margaritas on the Mexican Riviera. The enforced exile from hard work, thanks to Dora, came at the best time. I believe she told me to “take a break…you’ve done more than enough…” She knew I was heading out to Santa Rosa Island for some hard-core, physically intense, volunteer work with the Channel Island Restoration Group. Dora knows I have been getting very restless without exercise, sitting for long periods of time in all my classes, and at home sitting in front of the computer, working on projects and writing papers. She also knows that we share a similar mindset: while in movement, we have some of the best mental clarity. 

I couldn’t wait to head off to the island to get off the beaten path to clear my mind in beautiful, unforgiving, territory. I knew I would come back recharged and ready to tackle what needed to be tamed in preparation for the students’ final exams.

Though I had minimal down-time on the island, I had enough down-time to afford myself the luxury to head out alone before dawn for a three mile scamper along the coast to watch the sunrise from the pier. The solitude allowed moments for me to reflect on how far I’ve come in over twenty years.  Though I’ve come so far from when I was a 19 year old student at Glendale Community College, struggling to survive on my own, with no family, no car, an apartment of my own, and a 40 hour work week that was driving me nuts, I am back in the same place. The reflection gave me the opportunity to realize that I was once just like the young struggling dance students I was assisting Dora with, in the DANCE 107 class.

Standing on the pier on my last morning on the island, I couldn’t help but empathize with the students. I remembered what it was like when I had been a young college student-confused, unsupported, without direction, but with a desire to dance.  The memories reminded me of last week and how Dora and I became aware that several of the dance majors are experiencing some intense personal and familial struggles. Thinking of their struggles reminded me of how the nineteen year old “me” navigated the turbulent waters of tying to balance school, finances, and my love for dancing. I know I managed because of how I had been impacted by some wonderful dance educators: Terry Markwell, Lynn McMurrey, Dora, Claude Thompson, Cameron English, Kim Blank, etc.

Though I remember those teachers fondly, it is not because they were easy on me. In fact, they never lowered their standards to accommodate any of my “issues.” They didn’t “accommodate my issues” because they didn’t know about my issues. It is only now that I am back a Glendale that Lynn and Dora now know that at nineteen, my Grandma who had raised me had had a stroke, and mother was dying as I was failing my academic classes, yet coming to any dance class I get to.

Stepping away from the students while I was gone helped rejuvenate my desire to help mentor the ones who work hard and demonstrate a passion for dance. I was also able to whip up the documents “DANCE 107 4 Week Workshop Written Assignment” and  “DANCE 107 Getting to Moodle,” so quickly because I pretty much mapped them out in my head while I was collecting acorns from Santa Rosa Scrub Oaks. I will continue to do my best to guide the others who lack a decent work ethic and appear to be a bit lost, and perhaps, twenty years from now, they will remember the advice Dora and I gave this semester.

8. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 9 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 9

Now that I have completed the documents “DANCE 107 DANCE 107 Final Portfolio Guidelines and Exam Date Reminders cc” and ‘DANCE 107 Rubric D107 Final Exam Portfolio Evaluation cc” I realized I am coming into the home stretch. I cannot believe this semester is almost done!

The ending of this semester is bitter-sweet. Sweet, because I will be done with my ART111, HEALTH 104, FN146, DANCE 107 Class, DANCE 107 Internship, and DACNE 50 internship. Just typing all those classes exhausts me! Bitter, because I will no longer be working with Dora. I will miss how much I look forward to our bi-weekly meetings about the students, rubrics, lesson plans, ethics, and organization. I will miss being challenged to explore course outlines, SLOs, and the inner working of college documentation, and hiring processes. And I will miss so much more.

I will miss the students who really want to work, want to learn, and want to do their best. I will miss the feeling of accomplishment when I submit a document for Dora’s approval. I will miss evaluating the portfolios, lesson plans, and two-page essays from the students, and I will definitely miss watching the students teach class to their fellow students. However, I will not miss the lack of physical activity my body is suffering from this semester. I cannot wait to get away from the computer, get some rest, and enjoy some exercise, for a couple of weeks before I begin a winter session class in January.

During my break before winter session, I’ve volunteered to help Dora transfer many of the documents I created to Moodle. I am so honored to know that lesson plans, and assignments I created are good enough to be integrated with Dora’s Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class.

While discussing the Moodle transfer, Dora and I realized that we never addressed your (Mark B.) request for a text suggestion. When the semester first began, we both used google, asked people, poked around in the library (I even used the Saint Mary’s Library resources to no avail), and found nothing that lent any assistance with completing the tasks I had set out to do. When we realized we had not found a book, Dora said something along the lines of “what you needed to learn about lesson plans, Bloom’s taxonomy, SLOs, etc. for a college…I don’t know where you would fine one text book for that…what you did…your research and the examples you found is how you learn…that is how I learned.”

I am confident that the amount of reading, printing, typing, re-doing documents and the finished results are proof that the information I gleaned from poking around the Glendale College, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, and Saint Mary’s websites, was priceless. The process of doing my own research, and learning by trial and error has lent a better understanding of how to create respectable lesson plans, study guides, assignments, and rubrics, as well as practical experience about time-management and document organization and labeling.

My last document assignment from Dora was to send out an email reminder about final assignment deadlines and the final exam: “DANCE 107 Final Portfolio Guidelines and Exam Date Reminders cc.” I also took it upon myself to create a more detailed grading rubric for the student’s final portfolio, “DANCE 107 Rubric D107 Final Exam Portfolio Evaluation cc.” Yes, it met Dora’s approval. J

I’m really looking forward to seeing the portfolios the students will be tuning in next week for their final grade! J

9. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 10 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1

 Saint Mary's College of California

LEAP 198 Senior Project 

Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College

DANCE 107

Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 10

What a journey this has been! Interning as the Student Supervisor for the Glendale Community College DANCE 107, Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class 2013 Fall Semester has been an exciting ride. When I first began on this journey I had no idea how much I was going to learn, how hard I was going to be inspired to work, and how much I was going to enjoy the process. I also had no idea how excited I was going to become about watching the students in the class as they too began a journey that would reveal their strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic. However, what I cherish the most is the mentorship I had from Dora Krannig.

As I type this, I am becoming a bit emotional. I have become very attached to the inspiring nature and impeccable work ethic of a woman, Dora Krannig, who had the faith in me to take on challenging tasks such as creating rubrics, lesson plans, assignments, etc., and to know the documents I created have met her approval. In fact, we met with Dr. Peter Green, the Glendale Community College Division Chair of Visual and Performing Arts, on Monday, after I had turned in a portfolio containing all the documents I had created throughout this internship. When we sat to speak with him, Dora presented my portfolio to Dr. Green “to brag about my intern.” I cannot express the pride I felt at that moment!

On Wednesday, the Glendale Community College instructor of Child Development and Dance, Roberta Wolin-Tupas stopped by the office while I was having my bi-weekly meeting with Dora. Dora presented my portfolio to Roberta, saying “she is doing Masters work!” To which Roberta repied, “Yes! This is excellent! You should hire her!” After which, the three of us began a discussion about the Masters Degree requirement that is now the minimum credential to become employed in the dance department at Glendale Community College.

After Roberta left, Dora and I continued to discuss the options I’ve been considering in regards to pursuing a Masters degree. The topic of pursuing a Masters has been my biggest frustration over the past few weeks. As much as I’ve loved everything about what I have been doing throughout my internship, as much as I know I’ve done an exceptional job, and as much as I would love to teach a class like this, I know that to invest in a Masters in Dance would not be a good financial investment on the return. I would much rather pursue a Maters in Kinesiology, or a Masters Certificate in Gerontology in order to bridge the gap between dance and the world of health and fitness. Dora informed that that if I pursue the Masters Certificate in Gerontology, there is a greater chance I could be brought on to teach a Dance Teaching Methodology Class for Older Populations or something to that nature.

Though I am still up in the air regarding what to do after I receive my BA from the LEAP Program, the knowledge I have gained during this internship has been worth more than I can ever imagine! I now have an impeccable portfolio that contains an abundance of lesson plans, rubrics, study guides, and so much more. I have improved my organizational skills immensely, have a greater awareness of the intricacies of administrative responsibilities of college faculty, and I’ve gained valuable experience mentoring college students pursuing an education in dance.

My last responsibility to Dora is to create a log for my hours, including descriptions of each task completed. Fortunately, I keep very organized and detailed notes in my daily planner, so my goal is to create a document that will be so impressive, that hopefully Dora will consider using it as a template for future interns to log their hours.

As much as I need a break, I’m really going to miss this! L I am happy that I will be keeping in touch with Dora over the break while I assist her with Moodle. J

91. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198

Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship

Super Moon Kayaking 2013

Full Moon Kayaking

with

Back Bay Guided Kayak Tours

I've had the pleasure of enjoying many sunsets and full moons while sitting in my kayak in the Upper Newport Back Bay, and I couldn't wait to do it again. I was really excited to go kayaking for the SUPER MOON, but even more excited because my husband was going to be joining me!

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew and Melissa Calasanz

 We were super thrilled that a few more people were going to be joining us! Our friend Mike Epler was surprising his beautiful wife Helene with a sunset kayaking trip for their 29th wedding anniversary, along with the super-talented Brynne Cogorno of  Backward Prints .

L-R: Brynne, Melissa, Andrew, Mike, Helene

Andrew hadn't gone kayaking since our wedding on July 1st, 2011. 
I was so excited to see him out on the water again. :)

"Where are the breaks on this thing?!?"
Mister Andrew Calasanz getting acquainted with the kayak he gave to me for my birthday.
:)

After just a few moments,
Andrew was ready to catch the sunset!

One of the most wonderful views I've enjoyed in a long time!
My husband in a kayak, ready to watch the sunset with me on a full moon evening!
:)

It was a beautiful sunset

The tide was high and we had a great time!
:)

Thinking about doing some moonlight kayaking of your own?

Don't have a kayak?

Then contact  Back Bay Guided Kayak Tours and hook yourself up with

the Paddle with Danny Hough (Moonlight Kayak, Outrigger & more) gang!

Here's my Yelp Review on their trips!

Enjoy!

:)