Yesterday I successfully defended my dissertation*. It was a wonderful day and one I have been daydreaming about for a very long time. I’m still processing my feelings and thought that writing a reflection would help. I’ve spent the past 6 years working toward this day. I started my pHd because I thought it would help me do my work better but what I actually learned were new ways to think, study, read, write and share about my work. My career has been rich in unique learning experiences, collaborations and challenges – all of these have shaped who I am and gave me a firm foundation for doctoral studies. Over the past 6 years I’ve been a full-time doctoral student along with co-leading (K-12 Partnership, TSO-UP) and creating several new programs (MiTEN, MRMTN) with amazing collaborators. It has been a wild ride, with late nights, long days and many miles on my little Chevy Volt. I am thankful for all of it.
The culminating product of a doctorate is the dissertation, which I knew would be a long paper about my research. Although I have been thinking about this paper for a long time…it wasn’t until about a year ago that I started to wrap my head around how much work it would take to create it. I’m not sure I could or should quantify the number of hours that a dissertation takes to create. It’s a lot. Lucky for me my topic of interest has never waivered. Place-based, outdoor education in K-12 public schools is what I care about. Getting more kids and teachers outside, joyfully and meaningfully learning about nature and their community has always been the goal.
Yesterday, I was able to share my journey and the stories of some of the amazing teachers I have had the privilege to work with. A dissertation defense is public and I am grateful to the many classmates, colleagues, friends and family who attended. My committee was intently listening, after having read the 150 page manuscript I’d written about three research studies. They asked insightful questions and offered supportive feedback to help move my writing closer to being ready for publication.
I am so honored to work alongside teachers. Sharing our stories brought me joy and I hope will influence others to create student-centered, caring learning experiences for children and teachers. My journey to become Dr. Haas has not always been easy but it has been amazing. As I close this huge chapter, I am thankful for every person I have met along the way. I hope many of you are able to make an appearance in subsequent chapters!!
**For those not familiar with the tradition, the defense of a dissertation is a final step in earning a doctoral degree. A dissertation is a final scholarly product of doctoral studies. My dissertation is a long paper, including 5 chapters: an introduction, 3 separate research studies and overall conclusions and implications. ‘Defending’ the dissertation involved a presentation, time for questions, discussion and feedback with my committee.
