ESPrit de Corps

Okay, maybe I’m not the FIRST person to use that title when beginning a new venture in cyberspace. But I admit to feeling a bit of a thrill at a BEGINNING– starting something anew and afresh (is “afresh” a real word?) where there was nothing previously. Out of the dark miasma: words and ideas spew forth.

So, how does one create from nothing? Or rather, how might a blogger begin a discussion that is stimulating enough for people to return. One of my oft-used strategies: when in doubt, look within.

So, when I reflect on the last few months, I find a few things worth sharing. Most of them have to do with the Strategic Foundation Building Retreats.

I’ve heard from so many different people about these retreats (which gather key personnel from an ESP partnership to discuss the purpose and goals of their work together), and I’m so impressed with how valuable people are finding them. People at cultural orgs., teachers, artists mention that they find the experience very valuable in establishing some real dialogue among partnership members. The facilitators have commented on how much they enjoy doing the retreats, because they get to see first-hand how a partnership of caring, concerned educators comes together. I’ll be hearing more of these stories, since one of my new responsibilities is to collect evaluations and assessments from the retreats. — You know the ESP adage: if it isn’t assessed, it didn’t happen!

Another strategy I use to create interest in a blog topic is to develop a dialogue. Therefore, on ESPrit de corps, we’ll always try to have at least two bloggers per month. This month, my co-blogger is my co-worker, Stephanie Pereira. And I’m gonna ask her the same question I asked myself: what has been surprising/impressive/interesting in the ESP world to you, during the last few months (i.e. since you began the job)?

(Please say you found SOMETHING interesting, Stephanie. Otherwise, everyone will think I’m a boring guy to work for.)

Bloggingly yours,

Phil Alexander