Since this is one of my last entries I feel as though I should talk about my mentor Mr. Fitz. When I start to describe him a million positive adjectives dart through my brain, and when I settle on a few good ones I feel like I am leaving out some huge part of who he is and how he has helped me. I'll start with some background. I had Mr. Fitz sophomore year for AP European History. It was a very hard class, and I struggled. Even at that point, when I was doing worse than I ever had in a class (literally ever), I still had so much respect and gratitude for Mr. Fitz and the class. I learned so much, and the style of teaching was so different and effective(a lot of discussion, tying events in history to the present, drawing parallels), it became something I'd search for when selecting classes. I had Fitz again for APUSH, but didn't end up getting him for psych. When I found out Mr. Fitz was my mentor I was absolutely ecstatic. Throughout my second semester I met with Fitz pretty frequently and by the end of this semester met with him about once a week or more. A lot of times we would go off on tangents that stemmed from a specific situation at the vet, but every time I left Fitz's room I was wiser, happier, and more aware of myself and the situation I was in. A lot of times I would leave with one or more difficult questions to answer, not for Mr. Fitz, because he didn't usually follow up on them, but for myself. These questions proved crucial to my reflection process. Mr. Fitz was a mentor or role model to me long before my WISE journey. With Mr. Fitz I know I can be honest, and that's not something I would be able to say about another teacher. Mr. Fitz has seen my more radical side (you may have seen it a few times through out the blog) and that is a side I seldom show people. This paragraph does not begin to give Mr. Fitz justice for all that he's done for me and in his life. My WISE experience would not be the same if I had had any other person as my mentor.
This week was my final week at the vet. Since it was our final week, Madi and I decided to write a card and bring them some nice things. Friday is the day I usually go to the vet, and Madi stopped by towards the end of my time. I actually didn't want to leave. Everyone was so nice and thanked us for all the help we had been to them. This week I had been having a lot of deep talks with Edward, well not deep, but less forced. We talked a lot about Santa Cruz, as usual, and about this sandwich place he was going for his birthday. I actually got him to laugh with some sarcasm and sass! It's amazing that in such a short time you can become so close with people, especially when you only spend 5 hours a week with them. And now for some final thoughts on my time at Mt. Diablo Veterinary Clinic. At times through out the semester I really wanted to give up, or find a new third space. I thought I had made a mistake in choosing the vet. Even though a lot of the work I did was meaningless, I learned that I loved the people and that it is the people that make the experience. I have matured a lot from the beginning of the semester. One way I think I have matured is that I no longer think menial tasks are below me. Reading back on old journals I feel like at times I sounded bratty. I want to clarify that I am not opposed to tasks like taking out the trash, and understand that when starting out in positions, these tasks are necessary to earn your place and prove you belong. At first I was frustrated when assigned these jobs because I thought I should be doing more meaningful things with my time, and while I still believe this is true, I understand that doing things like cleaning up, taking out the trash, sweeping, etc, helped me belong and also led to me being treated as more of an equal (by most on the technicians at least). I have mixed feelings about my departure. On one hand I am relieved because I will have more time, and I won't be spending it taking out trash. On the other hand, I will really miss all the different personalities at the vet, and miss all their different beliefs. All in all I have made peace with my situation at the vet. Even though my WISE experience wasn't what I had hoped or had planned it to be, I am very thankful I was able to form the relationships I did with the people at the vet.
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AuthorMy name is Emily Burch. I am a student in the WISE program at Miramonte. This is my WISE journey (I think that's a good word for it). Archives
May 2015
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