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ast spring I was "cajoled" into attending Wakonse Arizona and subsequently asked to share my experiences there via this article. Why cajoled? Well, it seemed at the time "just one more workshop on teaching and learning." Also by the time graduation comes and goes I am more than ready for a break. I must admit I even considered backing out as I was packing my car for the drive to Payson. However, at the end of the three days it was hard to leave and I was glad I had gone.
Wakonse Arizona is sponsored by Arizona State University and is a fellowship that brings together faculty and other teaching and learning professionals for three days of sharing with colleagues the excitement and satisfaction of teaching in higher education. It was established at ASU in 1991 and is one of multiple Wakonse movements around the country. Wakonse, a word from the Lakota Sioux language, means to inspire, to teach. The basic premise is to remove participants from all of the normal interruptions of their jobs (phones, offices, students and professional obligations), to provide them with workshops on teaching and learning, to facilitate networking opportunities and informal conversations, and to do this in an environment conducive to reflection and relaxation. Wakonse Arizona consists each year of about 60 participants from ASU, NAU, U of A, Grand Canyon University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and the Maricopa Community Colleges. It is held each year in May at Camp Tontozona near Payson, Arizona.
The faculty who attended Wakonse 2004 varied from beginning teaching assistants to veterans of 25+ years in the classroom. The workshop presenters were representative of this group and the topics presented varied from "Collaborative Learning as an Unnatural Act" to "Making Statistics Fun," to "Using Comics, Humor, and Hands-On Toys for Learning" and "Digital Storytelling Motivates the Video Generation." The theme for this year's Wakonse was Universal Design and to fit with this theme there were workshops on the various aspects of Universal Design presented during many of the Breakout Sessions. But Wakonse was not all academic. There was also lots of free time with scheduled activities if one chose to participate (hikes, a swimming hole excursion, scherenschnitte, taekwondo, yoga, harmonica, sing-alongs, and planet viewing, to name a few) or time to just relax, make new friends, and enjoy the pines.
When I was asked to share my experience, I began by contacting other Maricopans who had attended and asking them to share their thoughts. Overall our colleagues had expected a long weekend of dry presentations and humorless people. There were also concerns that ASU would be in charge and that we, community college faculty, would have little voice. However, when I asked our colleagues what they enjoyed best, it seemed to be the people they remembered the most. While the presentations were mentioned and described as informative and better than expected, the comments centered on "great company," "wonderful discussions," friendships formed," and "fun." A "renewed interest in teaching" as well as "emails addresses," and "fond memories" were some of the things our faculty took away with them from their Wakonse weekend. The major drawbacks mentioned were the timing (In the past Wakonse often conflicted with our graduation obligations, but ASU has been working to correct this conflict.) and the sleeping accommodations (take along an open mind and think of childhood camps!). Most of the participants said they would consider going again and recommended that others give it a try.
We in Maricopa have a heritage of quality teaching and are recognized for our interest and focus on our students' learning and our own teaching. Former participants in Wakonse from Maricopa feel that we have much to share with our university colleagues and that this informal venue provides opportunities for doing so. However as several noted in their comments, to do so we must attend and participate.
Wakonse 2005 anyone?
For more information about Wakonse Arizona go to http://clte.asu.edu/wakonse/ or contact Maria Harper-Marnick at MCLI. Maricopa is given 10 openings each year, and all participants are encouraged to share in whatever ways they feel comfortable. Looking back I realize that Wakonse provided me a wonderful way to bring closure to the year. I was able to relax, enjoy the pines, share with colleagues and learn from them. Hopefully I also left something behind . . .
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