J's Fulbright

Well, some of you have asked what J. is doing and how he is doing. Come to think of it, most of the 40 plus blogs have been about ME! But, again, I am writing this blog so I guess I have focused on what I do and how I am adjusting. So, as I thought about this blog tonight, I decided to first read what J. wrote as he reflected on the semester and then look at a couple notes he received from students that he shared with me. The work he is doing (and is now coming to an end!) deals first of all with teaching a research class to 42 women (of all different majors) - the only research class in english. The remaining 7 other research classes are in arabic. The second part is giving workshops --- to master teachers that are working with teachers in the 6 independent schools that are failing and workshops with faculty members at Qatar University. I am not sure what to say about any of this. J. leaves our apartment each morning around 7AM and gets back around 4 or 5PM Sunday thru Thursday. He usually works Friday and Saturday, at least part of the day. Often he is finishing power points in the evening for class. If I did not have a job, I would feel like a widow or be very lonely. Usually, the workshops are really good and he comes "home" with a relieved smile. That's how I can tell if things went good! And, then he talks about the next workshop he will do and how it will be even better! Or how, with some space and freedom to set up his own timetable, he could REALLY make a difference. The research class is another matter. Students email him all the time and they stop in his office a lot. Sometimes a lecture goes well and sometimes not. When some students don't show up for class and complain about his quizzes, he is upset and discouraged. When the students cheat, he is disillusioned. When a student seems to understand a new concept, it makes his day. So, perhaps the best way to describe what J. is doing is to share 2 of his students comments. These are quotes: "The biggest thank you of all must go to Dr. John Fritsche, my mentor in the College of Education. I do not think that I could have sustained a level of critical reflection throughout if it were not for his support and prompt feedback. He has always made me and my classmates feel that we are his main concern. " "From the very first day, you were so nice to each and every one of us. You were more than what we would ask for. Throughout this semester you taught me more than just what a research, hypothesis or scales of measurements are; you taught me how a person can be so kind, how kindness has no limits. You showed me the literal meaning of help, the great meaning of generosity. You never gave up on us; you were always there along the way, helping us, doing whatever it takes so that we can do the best in this course. Even though we asked for a lot, more than what we would usually ask for, you gave us way more than what a professor would offer his students or at least this is what we were used to, until you became a part of our lives and showed us how different things can be. No matter what I write, however I express it, it will never be enough to really tell you what you really mean to us or how amazing you are. Thank you so much for being the person you are." So, I guess that says it all. It's been a very successful Fulbright. I don't know if I have described the essence of what J. has done, but he throws himself into whatever he does. Not with 1/2 his brain ---- like I do! But with all of this brain.... and his heart too. Sometimes we wonder whether the effort is worth it. But, when I read this last quote from one of his students, I know J. got all the reward he could wish for ---- a thank you. After all, if you make a difference in the life of a person, you are a success. You have left a legacy. It's 110 degrees even in the evening here. And it is evening here. No matter what, we try to walk at least a couple miles each evening. I best get going. J. has class tomorrow ---- so, he needs to get back to work!