Can we talk?

        Within the English language, there are many phrases that instill discomfort and angst among listeners. “Your check is in the mail” is one such phrase. No one wants to wait to be compensated fairly for a job well done. “Can we talk?” is another phrase that may make the heart beat a little faster for many folks, particularly if these words are uttered by a supervisor or significant other. After all, we’ve all had the experience of feeling the walls move in on us as we enter a conversation that may put us on the hotseat. Another phrase which may provoke one’s palms to sweat and butterflies to flutter is: “Would you write something?” What? Me?? Write??? I can’t do that!

You’d be surprised. Actually, you can do that and, in doing so, may discover rewards beyond your best imaginings. Writing, after all, is just speaking on paper. Whether we use a pen and notepad or a keyboard, the act of writing can be as comfortable as carrying on a conversation with a good friend. Ideas and stories can be shared in writing. Thoughts, opinions, arguments, and anecdotes are all fair game when we write. Furthermore, in writing, we have the tremendous opportunity of going back and removing some of our words and adding others, a luxury we don’t have when speaking.

When I was a middle years’ English teacher, I would tell my students to write and not think. Although this may sound absurd to most people, it’s a trick that works. When we write, the pen or keyboard takes on a life of their own. Words pounce onto the page and blend together to create something entirely new and unique. We can change their order, replace them with other words, and expand upon the details in a way we might never do in conversation. It’s a magical process that is available to each one of us, yet few people seem to want to experience the incredible mystery that begins with writing just a single word.

We— all of us—have stories. Many have taught us lifelong lessons. They are happy, sad, tragic, comical, or a dozen other emotions. Regardless of their nature, however, all stories are valuable. When we craft a narrative, we give selflessly to others, and we benefit by the experience of releasing what is truly in our hearts and minds.

Can we talk? Yes, let’s talk! Let’s talk about the thrilling world of writing and becoming writers. It’s there for each one of us and, with a small dose of confidence and courage, we may even discover a new passion for the written word.

Yes, we are all writers. Yes, we can write something!    

Shar McGowan

Credentials for the DKG Bulletin: Supporting Professional Growth

 

The DKG Bulletin publishes in two formats: the journal and the magazine. The journal focuses on academic articles, including research-based pieces, and is generally the format pursued by members working at the college and university level for whom publication is an imperative for advancement and/or tenure. Supervisors of members at this level sometimes ask for the journal’s credentials, which are readily and happily provided. 

Aside from confirming the issue date of the published article, the credentials letter includes the following:

     The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honorary society of women educators. With a membership of more than 55,000 in 17 countries, DKG promotes the professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education. Its members come from all grade levels, subject areas, and facets of the education profession.
    The Bulletin is the official journal of the Society and promotes professional and personal growth of members through publication of their writings. Manuscripts for the Bulletin, a refereed journal, are reviewed by its editorial board and the Society editorial staff. Selection is based on relevance of the topics addressed, accuracy and validity, contribution to the professional literature, originality, quality of writing, and adherence to submission guidelines. The acceptance rate is 30-40%. The journal is included in the ProQuest educational database and is recognized as an academic journal by Ulrich’s Periodical Directory. 

    Editorial board members are doctoral level educators who are active at the post secondary level. They review and rate submissions in a blind process, assessing each article’s focus, organization, development, readability, and accessibility to the general audience of Bulletin readers, which includes not only Delta Kappa Gamma members but also international educators.

Members who are published in the Bulletin can request a formal, personalized credentials letter from the editor, Dr. Judy Merz, at bulletin@dkg.org. All members can use the credentials information to publicize the importance of this key Society publication.

Writing for Publication: Fulfilling the DKG Mission

One of the ways members develop personally and professionally is through writing for publication in the Society’s Bulletin, which publishes in two formats. The International Journal for Professional Educators (journal) publishes academic articles, including research, reviews of literature, program descriptions, position papers and book/technology reviews. The Collegial Exchange (magazine) publishes articles of a more practical, personal nature, including classroom and DKG practices/programs, viewpoints on current issues, personal reflections or anecdotes, inspirational pieces, biographies and interviews, book and technology reviews, and creative writing.

Check out the latest issue of the Bulletin, which was Volume 88, #2—in this case, the magazine. You will find it chock full of ideas from members and from committees, as well as information about how YOU can write for publication!