Grading and grading and grading…

I find grading final portfolios a process that is long and hard. Often it’s draining, sometimes it’s frustrating (I always find criticism of my teaching hard to hear), and it’s always a long haul. But every once in a while something is included that stops me in my tracks, and makes me grateful for having shared a learning experience with a student. This term I gave students the option of creating video meditations (basically combinations of song and image), as one element of their learning, and one of my students created this marvelous piece. It’s a meditation on his time in Iraq, set to a tune by Jars of Clay. It’s a haunting and powerful piece, and a gift to have received.