So should I apply to Sorenson Institute?
By: teacherken
Published On: 11/12/2006 11:44:48 PM
The deadline is tomorrow, and I would have time in the afternoon to crank out an application (although if deadline is 5 PM my application probably could not be completed in time). For those who don't know about Sorenson, they can read about it here - and one might click on the link for the application to see what is involved.
More below -
I know people like Conrad Haskins and Waldo Jaquith have participated in this program and think highly of it. That commends it to my attention.
On the other hand, I have not had as specific a Virginia focus as have they, and given my age (60) and where I live (NoVa, Arlington specifically) it is highly unlikely that I would ever run for public office.
But I have worked in local government (Arlington 8 years for the County and 1 for the schools), I am clearly committed to service (I still teach school, albeit in Maryland, and serve on the board of my community association) and have a clear commitment to good government and clean campaigns, as I hope I have demonstrated not only in my work on the Webb campaign but in previous activities as far back as Frank O'Leary's 1st run for Treasurer 23 years ago.
On the other hand, were I to take this on, and be selected (no sure thing), I would have far less availability during the political contests to take control of the General Assembly, and I assume people here think I might be of some value in that effort.
I am NOT putting this on the front page. That would be far too indulgent. I am interested in responses, either in comments here or offline at kber at earthlink dot net.
I think it improbable I will apply given the timing of the deadline (and I could not even look at the possibility until this evening - far too much else on my plate). I value any feedback that may be offered.
Thanks.
Comments
Well... (Kathy Gerber - 11/13/2006 12:07:35 AM)
do you want to run for public office someday? Dyana Mason is the director of EV and she went to Sorenson so it's obviously not just for folks running for office.
RE: Absolutely (JPTERP - 11/13/2006 12:17:20 AM)
As a politically involved educator, I think you would pretty easily fall under the category of "community leader".
Even if you don't run for an election you are likely to pick up lessons that would be invaluable for your students. Some teachers at your school might be interested in learning these details second-hand as well.
Go for it! (CommonSense - 11/13/2006 8:34:09 AM)
After following your posts on here and KOS I am not sure what they could teach you, but I would say go for it!
Go for it (Quizzical - 11/13/2006 8:42:27 AM)
Learn stuff and blog about it here. Then we all get smarter.
SorenSEN Institute actually (jeisrael - 11/13/2006 9:40:13 AM)
And yes, absolutely.
It's an amazing experience. I'm a proud graduation of the Political Leaders Program '99 and made some amazing friends of all shapes, sizes, and ideologies. It's a rare opportunity to really learn from people who may have vastly different perspectives and find common ground.
Webb is 60 years old (Catzmaw - 11/13/2006 9:55:22 AM)
and look where he ended up.
Life begins at 60 (relawson - 11/13/2006 1:51:07 PM)
You have many good years ahead of you. Don't let your age stop you! In fact, you have more life experience so in that aspect you are better qualified.
I think the question you should ask yourself is not if you can serve (clearly you can) but why you want to serve and in what roles - and how Sorenson plays into that.
well, after listening to folks (teacherken - 11/13/2006 2:11:34 PM)
and getting permission from Frank O;Leary and Ingrid Morroy to use them as references, I have written my essays and will cut and paste into an application when I get home around 3:30 this afternoon and file online.
We'll see. I don't think I am necessarily a good fit, but even my wife is encouraging me, so what the heck.
Those references (Ingrid - 11/13/2006 4:28:56 PM)
are the best you can secure around here... :-)
Good luck!!
they allowed me to send supplemental materials (teacherken - 11/13/2006 6:36:28 PM)
via email, since I called and pointed out at 60 years of age the number of slots in the online application for education, jobs, volunteer service, etc were too limited. So I got to add a third recommendation - Steve Jarding
think they might consider me?
Heck, yes! (Ingrid - 11/13/2006 7:10:26 PM)
Of course they will. Plus, if they (Catzmaw - 11/13/2006 8:28:08 PM)
give you any guff we'll all recommend you. There's an idea. We should circulate a petition as if you're running for office and tell them to select Teacherken. People in this forum love signing stuff;)
No downside? (RenaRF - 11/13/2006 3:49:14 PM)
Why not, then?
there are some possible conflicts (teacherken - 11/13/2006 6:40:33 PM)
if I do get in, I will miss my wife's E Orthodox Easter. I will also possibly have one conflict during soccer season. Being away on weekends in the fall conflicts somewhat with the legislative campaigns. And I will miss a few classes on Friday afternoons -- getting to Roanoke by 5:30 really means taking a half-day off from teaching.
But I take so little time off, and it looks potentially so rewarding.
I still doubt that i will get selected, but it was worth the shot.
You're an inspiration, teacherken. (Kathy Gerber - 11/13/2006 8:27:48 PM)
And you'll work out the logistics for sure.
Fingers crossed for you here..
RE: Good luck (JPTERP - 11/13/2006 9:26:47 PM)
Either way, applying was the right move. If you get in, please share some of the lessons learned with RK readers.
will do - and several other bloggers (teacherken - 11/13/2006 9:33:16 PM)
Jaquith and Haskins, have already participated in this program and highly recommend it.