i am back from southern africa.
back in worcester, massachusetts.
i have graduated from clark university (again), this time with a master of arts in teaching.
i kind of want to be a teacher.
do you want me?
Harris O. Daniels
hdaniels@clarku.edu
58 Florence St. Apt. 3
Worcester MA 01610
508| 890 5694
EDUCATION
Clark University Worcester MA
B.A. English / Screen Studies 19 May 2002
GPA: 3.46, cum laude, with High Honors in English and Screen Studies
Clark University Worcester MA
Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education 18 May 2003
GPA: 3.64
AWARDS AND HONORS
Southwest Popular Culture Association Conference Albuquerque NM
Presented paper on “Shakespeare and Pedagogy” panel 12-15 February 2003
EXPERIENCE
Substitute Teacher Worcester MA
Worcester Public Schools May 2003-Present
Avid Tutor Worcester MA
Information Technology Academy, South High Community School Fall 2002
• Assisted students with organization and study skills.
• Conducted help sessions with the AVID program.
Student Teacher, 9th Grade English Language Arts Worcester MA
Team Avid, Worcester South High Community School August 2002-May 2003
• Assisted John Grady with five 9th grade English classes.
• Assumed control of three classes, designed and taught lesson plans.
• Worked closely with Inclusion Specialist Dennis Vanasse on IEPs.
• Completed practicum requirements and “E-Folio” for Clark University.
Senior Interviewer / Tour Guide Worcester MA
Clark University Admissions June 2001-May 2002
• Spoke with and inquired about prospective Clark students.
• Answered student and parent questions about Clark University.
Peer Advisor Worcester MA
Clark University First Year Orientation August 2001-May 2002
• Mentored 12 incoming students, helping adjust to life at Clark University.
• Worked with each student to select courses and find academic direction.
i have returned safely to windhoek from victoria falls. actually we stayed in "Jolly Boys International Backpackers" hostel in Livingstone, Zambia, and we never entered Zimbabwe, where the town of Victoria Falls is. but we saw the Falls, and we experienced canoeing on the Zambezi River (no whitewater rafting-- the water level of the Zambezi is the highest EVER right now!), a game drive in Mosi - on - Tunya National Park, and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi... rather nice. we also did our exploring of the area, and saw how Zambia sees itself as "The Real Africa." back in the city of windhoek, i can see the difference.
tomorrow we board a plane from windhoek to johannesburg, then jo'burg to jfk in new york... and my 2 weeks will have come to an end, as i bring julie back to united states with me-- for a period of adjustment... she hasn't been home in 4 months! -- and i graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Clark University on sunday. so... now that i am no longer a student, what am i? mr. daniels? just harris? we'll see. either way, it's all been an experience.
so here i am one week, five days, and thousands of miles later... and i am in windhoek, namibia, in southern africa.
the place i have consistently complained about not being in, and have often longed to see, feel, hear, and touch, is now my current location. i'm here. i'm here with julie. it's pretty amazing, every second of it. i want to write more, but now i understand how julie has felt all of these four months... taking everything in and not being able to communicate it very well. i will soon, though. i just know now that i want to focus on the taking it in. i am spending some lazy days catching up with julie in the Center for Global Education house, with many college students from different U.S. universities living together in a house way nicer than any a typical namibian could afford. that's okay, because i am trying to get to know many namibians, south africans, and people from zambia and zimbabwe. people seem quite friendly so far. i am exploring the capital city of Windhoek, which is small but breathes with much life. on friday julie and i will travel by loooonnnng bus trip to Livingstone, Zambia, to stay four nights near Victoria Falls, where we will see animals, a giant waterfall, whitewater raft, walking, hiking, and just being together in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
more to follow, but please consider travelling in this lifetime if you haven't already. not for the "vacation," "tourist," "spend money have fun" reasons... but to experience other cultures in a way our own president never has. it helps for the humility required to be a decent human being in this world.
peace and love
-h