Ahhh- Spring. And Senioritis!

This is a beautiful day. I think I am going to find out just how strong senioritis can be as I attempt to teach my psychology students the ins and outs of cognition, problem solving and our obstacles to problem solving.

The beauty of teaching psychology is that it is unarguably relevant. When we talk today about the difference between trial and error, algorithms, heuristics and insight, I will be teaching them something they can use for the rest of their lives. The applications are easy-I hope. On the other hand, several of my students are off to the university already, mentally, anyway.

And that's what I want to brag about today. I will be attending my first college graduation this spring (along with my colleague and friend and fellow-poster, Donna) as we watch one of our students from our "6-8 Loop." Our Ranah Voss is currently on the Dean's List and has had her art work chosen for permanent display at UW-Oshkosh. I can't tell you how proud I am of Ranah and the good choices she has made along the way. She's one of many MPS students who don't get the press they deserve.

I have several students from another "loop" in college now, and some on scholarships. UW-Milwaukee and UW seem to draw most of my former students, although there are some at Alverno, Mount Mary, and MATC. Let's not forget that MPS has sent students to the Ivy League, as well.

This year, I am even closer to the decision making process. I see some students living my dream and going off to UW (Madison) and UM (Minneapolis); several students are enrolled at UW-M (Milwaukee), and then some will attend the area private colleges. I'm so proud and excited for their upcoming journey! I was on the UW-M campus yesterday and I was so inspired FOR them.

I'm not going to pretend that this won't be difficult (it will--there were many, many moments when I wanted to give up, and I had EVERY possible advantage in terms of parental emotional and financial support), and I'll never say that MPS is "good enough." I'm not good enough; I'm always looking to improve my own practice. But I will shout from the mountain tops-or at least from Miller Park- that MPS does offer success stories that are largely ignored by the press.

I am surrounded by students who will do amazing things in their lives despite the fact that no one in the local press believes they can. I am surrounded by kindness, brilliance, and hard work-even in March. Let's not dismiss the accomplishments of our MPS students.