Do Work Son!

Throughout my childhood I grew up with a father who participated in absolutely everything he possibly could. He was on my school’s board of trustees, the club soccer board, the district soccer board, and the regional soccer board. Additionally, this was all on top of his regular day job of a teacher, studying for a Master’s degree from home (it should be noted that at this time online degrees weren’t available either), coaching more than one soccer team, fundraising for all these various organizations, being and husband, and being a father. Nonetheless time with my father was limited, even nonexistent some nights. Consequently, from these fatherless nights I made a conscious decision to myself that I had already given enough to volunteer opportunities in the form of my father and that was enough for a lifetime. However, through my time Appalachian I have reconsidered my priorities and I, like my father, have become entangled in various volunteer positions.

Since I have come to Appalachian I have served in various roles ranging from jobs that have paid to volunteer positions. Now I could describe my compensated jobs, such as being an RA and working in the library because they have had a significant impact on my development and I enjoyed them both thoroughly. However, it is the volunteer opportunities that helped me mature as an adult, give back to the benefit of others, and have the most rewarding memories. Since I have been at App the most significant non-class related volunteer activities that I have participated in include being a member of SAAB (Student Athletic Advisory Board) – the student-athlete organization I am now vice-president of, SAB (Student Advisory Board) – a group of undergraduate students specifically selected to help integrate the new general education curriculum for the class of 2013, and writing these blogs so you can read about Appalachian through the eyes of a current student, as a “student blogger” for Appalachian Admissions. This is all on top of being the best student I can be and an athlete on the Men’s Soccer team. Now I am not going to lie, all these commitments have their time obligations and occasionally I have conflict with my loved ones over where I am portioning my time, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world, as participating in these extracurricular activities fulfill me and always keeps me occupied with an activity that’s meaningful and provides me with a purpose.

One positive that initially possessed me to undertake all these extra responsibilities is so I could list them on my resume. However, I have learnt there is a deeper value to giving back than just being able to put the activity on my resume. As I am an international student from New Zealand and I consequently rely on the generosity and love of many people in the Appalachian family to help me survive and be successful, I feel I owe a great deal to everyone who has invested in me and helped me be all that I can be. Therefore, by me participating in a range of extracurricular activities I feel as though I am saying thank you to at least some of these people. The reason why I say I’m only thanking “some of these people” is because I can’t begin to comprehend the range of people that have impacted my life here at Appalachian and I can’t begin to appreciate them all enough by giving my time, because then I wouldn’t even have time to sleep!

Another positive that being involved in all these extracurricular activities has helped me learn is the skill of time management. This is going to be extremely beneficial to me in whatever I undertake in the future because I never allow things to get on top of me and I always manage to prioritize the most urgent commitments. This not only helps reduce my stress of level, but the people I interact with also.

Finally, when I’m a father myself, my level of commitment to extracurricular activities may differ to what it is now, what my own father did, and I may have to reprioritize, at least I can pursue other commitments in my life with the peace of mind knowing I have attempted to give back to an institution that has provided me with so much over the past four years. Again, Appalachian has taught me to love something greater than myself.

Next time I will talk about the significance of soccer on my educational career at Appalachian.

Until then...

~ Cam

PETE showed me the light...

Ok, so on this edition of going down memory lane of my Appalachian experience I am going to sing the praises of my major, affectionately known as the PETE program.

The PETE program, also known as the Physical Education Teacher Education program, here at App has provided me with a more thorough higher education than I ever imagined. The faculty's outstanding personality's and teaching provided me with the ideal example for which to enter the professional world with. Dr. Mohr, Dr. Townsend, Dr. Sibley, Dr. McKethan, Dr. Kernodle, Professor Morris, and Mr. Osborne have been outstanding to me and I seriously couldn't have asked for any more out of a higher education program.

Through the Physical Education Teacher Education program I have had numerous professional experiences along with all my content class work. Notably, I have co-taught a college level, basic instruction Physical Education course (Jogging & Conditioning, PE1013-132, Spring 2008), I have had experience working with students with a variety of developmental disabilities, and I have instructed a basic Physical Education unit for home-schooled children in the region of Boone. And this is all before student-teaching!!! I have had numerous other tutoring and coaching experiences in addition to the above that have helped me develop as a person and a professional. This development includes (but is not limited to) the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities as a beginning teacher, student, and whatever role I choose to undertake, the learning of technology competencies to be technically literate in the world we live in, the enhancement of my interpersonal communication and relationship skills, and finally the development of my desire to become lifelong learner.

Now a word of warning...the PETE program is going to make you work, and work hard from the start when you enter Pro-Block One. Don't think your going to cruise through this degree and play games for all four years. You are going to become a competent, literate, and enthusiastic Physical Educator who is accountable for student learning, which should be the goal of any education program. However, in my opinion, (someone who is near the end) it's worth every single moment and sacrifice.

Do you dare to take the challenge?

Next time, I am going to talk to you about how Appalachian developed me into a person who wanted to give back and get involved in extracurricular activities.

~Cam

P.s. Today I am extremely pleased because I have now received two acceptances to Graduate Schools for Exercise Science. The University of Memphis today confirmed my acceptance, along with my previous conditional acceptance at Loughborough University, United Kingdom. (However, I am still waiting to hear about my Graduate Assistantship applications, which is what I need to attend either of these institutions.) Therefore, some difficult decisions still await.

P.s.s. I think these acceptances to Graduate School's are prime examples of how thoroughly the PETE program has prepared me.