by Gina Merys, Director, Reinert Center
The occasion of end of the academic year often asks us to hold in tension multiple different emotions. We are anxious about end-of-term exams, projects, and presentations; enthused about summer jobs and first “real” jobs; nostalgic about memories from years ago and yesterday; sad to say farewell to close friends, treasured students, and inspiring mentors; and relieved by the promise of a change of pace and a much-needed break. A dear friend said to me recently that she feels like she spends every April and May in tears, and it is no wonder with so many bittersweet moments that mark the end of the academic year.
Here in the Reinert Center, we just held our annual ceremony honoring those people who completed the requirements for any one of the certificates in our University Teaching Skills program, the faculty mentors who supported them through that process, and the faculty and staff who led Praxis workshops and online courses for the program. This ceremony marks an end in the journey to transformative teaching, but we hope it also represents the beginning of a lifetime of making intentional choices about the role of teaching and learning in one’s life and the lives of our students, that does not become static nor ever truly end.
This year’s ceremony speaker, Sandy Gambill, highlighted the ways in which our journeys in teaching and learning continue. After nearly 30 years of service to SLU, Sandy is retiring. She shared the wisdom she has gained thus far on her path and gave all in attendance new perspectives. If you would like to hear Sandy’s reflection, you can find it embedded at the bottom of this post.
Sandy’s well-earned retirement is a prime example of the season’s bittersweet moments. She has been the been the Center’s most steadfast member, she is our ethical compass, and educational forecaster. She thinks big and pushes us to think bigger during calm times, and grounds us and keeps us focused during difficult times. She is unmatched in her unique combination of deep teaching knowledge and fluency with academic technologies. In short, we are immeasurably grateful to Sandy for influencing who we are as a Center, and for changing the lives of thousands of instructors and students at Saint Louis University. We are forever indebted to Sandy and wish her all the best as she sets off on the beginning of the newest branch of her path in retirement.
The Reinert Center sends hearty congratulations to all those who are starting something new at this time of year, whether it be retirement, a new job, graduate school, or just a slightly altered routine. As always, we are available all summer long, so stop by and say hello, or let us know how we can support you in a new beginning of your own.
The Notebook 