With the final landing of Endeavor, this shuttle chapter of space exploration will be closing soon. At the moment, I’m closing a college quarter and identifying with NASA. I have advantages over NASA: my physical life in adjunct teaching is only occasionally at risk, and I do know where I’m working for the summer.
But like NASA, this is also a career more celebrated than funded. Our institutions depend on our intelligence, passion, tolerance for uncertainty, and ability to make course corrections. Our circadian rhythms are rarely consistent, and even off-duty, our creative and critical thinking processes never end. When the project ends, evaluations are only beginning. Like NASA, we reclaim spare parts, including engines, for future study, and possible reuse.
And this time, some of my students are graduating. May they be happily and successfully launched.
___________________________________
Text © Gwyn Nichols 2011. All Rights Reserved.
Photo © NASA by Chuck Tintera: Endeavor final landing 05 31 2011
Writers' Resort LLC 