Extension Cohort Project Instructors: Dr. Karin Jacobson and Dr. Kate Maurer Writing and Research Project: Self Assessment by: Mary Krentz

I found it intriguing to look back on my childhood and identify some of the factors that influenced the type of writer I am today. My life experiences have truly shaped my values and defined my interests and skills. At a young age, I remember having a lack of enthusiasm for writing. I didnt like to write, but I loved to draw. Expressing myself through art was what I enjoyed most. I loved to create! As a child I won several poster contests at school. I experienced great satisfaction from the praise I received about my artwork. I felt confident about my art work; however, writing didnt come as easy for me. An artist couldnt create a work of art without a pallet of colors. I wouldnt be who I am today without the influence of other people. It was people like a childhood friend, my dad, and a teacher who helped to paint my future and craft the type of writer I am today.

During grade school I had a good friend that absolutely loved to write. She carried a notepad with her everywhere. At the time, I was unaware, but she not only stimulated an interest in writing for me, but also helped me to become a more proficient writer. She gave me a diary for my birthday. I would faithfully write in it every day. When I would stay over at her house, instead of watching TV or playing we would sit down and write stories and letters for entertainment. I didnt think much about it at the time, but now I look back upon it and realize it played a key role in motivating me to become interested in writing. Today this friend is a top journalist for a large newspaper in Detroit.

Another person who influenced me was my dad. My dad was a very hard worker. Farming took up most of his time; however, in the little spare time he had, he could often be seen with his small pocket notebook writing a poem. Growing up, I have fond memories of waiting anxiously for him to finish writing a poem. It was hard to believe that those large, callus covered hands could create such a eloquent, gentle message. It was my dad who inspired me to write poems at a young age. This was a great way to channel my creative energy. Still today, I love to write poems!

When I entered junior high school, writing took on a new meaning. I was actually starting to enjoy it. I credit this in large part to one particular teacher. This teacher believed in learner driven education. When I was asked to write something, I could negotiate and plan my own learning experience. That made a huge difference for me. Writing about something I enjoyed made it fun and meaningful. I began to build confidence in my writing skills. Writing didnt take near as much effort as it used to for me. I could clearly express my ideas and feelings. My history as a writer had lasting implications for my future path and decisions in life.

My academic and professional background has played a key role in the type of writer I am today. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Home Economics with an emphasis in Adult Education. During my last year in college, I had the opportunity to do an internship with the Steele County Extension office. During this time I was expected to do a lot of writing. For the first time in my life, I had to write for professional reasons. I was really nervous knowing that the newspaper articles and newsletters I wrote would be read by hundreds of people. I was also asked to write an article for a magazine, which was later published. This was a critical turning point in how I viewed myself as a writer. I was able to gain the confidence that I needed to properly function in the real world of work!

My first job out of college was in retail management. This position didnt require any writing. Soon an opportunity came up to work with the Extension Service as a Nutrition Educator for limited income families. Due to my past experience with the Extension Service, I knew writing would be a required skill and I felt up to the challenge. This position was part time, which enabled me to take on more responsibilities and explore other areas of interest. Additional positions I have held include: Parent Educator for Early Childhood Family Education, Coordinator for a Family Service Collaborative, Coordinator for the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters and Nutrition Educator for the WIC program. Writing is an integral part of each of these positions. Writing played a critical role in marketing the programs and providing feedback regarding evaluation to various decision makers. Im looking forward to this Writing and Research course, as I hope to enhance my skills in this area so I can become a better educator.

There are several professional issues involving children and families that interest me. Meeting the unique needs of all learners is of special concern and warrants further consideration. For several years, I have been educating limited resource families. I believe there needs to be better educational materials available for our emerging diverse populations. Often times, literacy levels and language barriers prevent people from learning to the best of their ability. Furthermore, an increasing number of parents are now working which has created some new challenges for educators such as myself. The time and location of a program and lack of childcare are often critical barriers that are overlooked. Educators need to be more realistic about their expectations for their audience. More emphasis should be put on creating educational experiences that are behaviorally focused, learner driven and outcome based. The M.Ed. program will provide a wonderful opportunity for me to study these issues further. Continuing to work with children and families in an educational capacity is my most desired professional goal. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to see change and truly feel like you are making a difference for families. The area of nutrition education has always been of great interest to me and will continue to be in the future. In addition, I would like to expand my knowledge base and skill level in the health education field. A greater emphasis continues to be place on preventative education, especially in the health and nutrition arena. The M.Ed. program will be instrumental in preparing me for future endeavors in these evolving fields.

For my thesis project I plan to complete a curriculum development project. I will assist in the development and evaluation of the effectiveness of a food safety education program for limited resource families. The program will be delivered through computer software and corresponding print materials. The desired outcomes of this project are to reduce food safety risks for limited resource participants through providing an educational program that will: 1) promote learning of food safety hazards and potential control options, 2) assist the implementation of safe practices to reduce unsanitary conditions in the kitchen. A pilot test of the curriculums effectiveness will assess participant learning and document levels of behavior change. I will be working with Bill Schafer, Extension Food Technologist, in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 1999