Krulder's Odyssey

  In the past few days, I have attended a workshop for Greek English Language Teachers on how to use storytelling in their classrooms, visited the Stavros Niarcos Foundation Cultural Center, and played and learned at the Emotions Museum of Athens, and I have discovered how messy and intriguing the process of real research can be. My Fulbright research project is focused on the teaching of social emotional learning - particularly through literature - and my goal is to bring back some ideas and strategies for helping our students in Paradise Unified School district to continue to heal from the Campfire wildfire tragedy and the challenges created by the COVID pandemic. I've been honestly concerned about how that would actually work, but some wise advisors have told me to trust the process and follow my interests and oh my goodness, were they right.  At the workshop, I was fortunate enough not only to hear some brilliant educators share strategies and lessons for how to incorporat...

  .                       Yesterday, I visited my first Greek school - the American Community School in Athens. It turns out the Greek school system has something somewhat comparable to our private schools, and ACS Athens is one of those. The teachers still have to follow the Greek National Curriculum - all schools do - but they have considerably more resources to do it with. I'm looking forward to visiting Greek public schools in upcoming weeks, but ACS definitely has some things in place that I can learn from.  The school's guiding principle is one of "conscious citizenship" - something that all teachers are asked to reflect in the way they deliver their curriculum. I have only had the opportunity to speak with a few teachers about it, and I'm sure I have more to learn about it - but in my understanding it is a focus on having students emerge from their education to be a better citizen in society, in the way they li...

  I've been spending my days, when I don't have Fulbright meetings, just walking up and down the streets of Athens. It's a big city, and I've only been here six days, so although I've walked for hours each day, I have so much more to explore. And there's a strange feeling that sweeps through me with the late afternoon wind that gusts through the blessedly sunny streets - up until now, I haven't been able to identify it. It's definitely wonder, and beauty, and freedom, but it's more than that. The best word I can give it is "possibility." The sheer scope of what lays ahead of me each day is breathtaking and it is giving me so much joy. In the time I've been here, I've tasted coffee from at least 10 coffee shops (I've lost count, so I'm starting to tweet short reviews with the hashtag #greekcoffee so that I can find the shops I like again). I've eaten quite a few cookies, and chocolate, and one incredibly intense scoop of ...

  After a two day marathon flight and very little sleep, I arrived last night in Athens. My Fulbright orientation is tomorrow - Tuesday - but I have a full day to adjust and explore the city around my apartment.  Last night was - disorienting - but I'm actually enjoying the feeling. Can't say that I always have. Most of my life, I've avoided situations that could be potentially confusing or uncomfortable, and here I've gone and intentionally placed myself in one and I. am. LOVING it! When I first arrived at my apartment, a little black and white cat watched me struggle to secure the key from the lock box and figure out how to get in. I'm sure I was amusing because it took me quite a while. Then, luggage stowed and family contacted, I wandered out into the night for dinner. it just so happened the first place I found was an Italian restaurant and though I felt a little silly not eating Greek food, I was hungry, so pizza it was. The next morning, though, after a 10 ho...

Alarm went off at 4 am and we were off! My wonderful husband Joe drove me to the airport and dropped me off with a smile and so much encouragement - he really is an amazing cheerleader and I don't know how I'd be heading off to Greece without him. Sitting here in the Denver airport, waiting for my connection to Munich and then to Athens, I can't help reflecting on all of the other people who have supported me in this dream endeavor. My daughters Liz and Sarah - all that they have already aspired to in their young lives - the risks they've taken and the amazing things they've achieved - they've truly helped me understand that my only limit is my capacity to try.  My incredible colleagues have also been so, so encouraging. From our wonderful superintendent Tom Taylor, who proudly introduced my project to a beaming school board to our stalwart, incredible connected administrator Christy Voigt who allowed me to work with her to try to ensure our students and staff h...