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Database of the Month September 2020 | Poetry & Short Story Reference Center

09/04/2020
profile-icon Rhonda Kitchens

Poetry & Short Story Reference Center

"Poetry & Short Story Reference Center is a rich full-text database of hundreds of thousands of classic and contemporary poems, plus thousands of short stories, biographies, essays, lesson plans, and learning guides. It also includes high-quality videos and audio recordings from the Academy of American Poets and other sources." 

 

 

Your Librarian Rhonda Kitchens does a brief demo.  Have more questions?  Ask your Librarian!  

 

 

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You have had a varied and interesting life.  Could you give a sort of summary of your pre-BBCC life?​

I'm not sure how far back you want me to go, but here are some of the highlights. I was a percussionist in the US Army band, which gave me the opportunity to live in Germany and play in about 20 countries. I was also a drummer for Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm in California. As a performer, I have run a number of my own bands, recording with various musicians, toured with an OC Punk Rock Band, and was a street drummer in Washington DC for a few years. When I lived in Germany a friend asked me to help with his drummers and at that moment, I knew I loved teaching. Since then, I taught music at St Augustine HS, Page HS, Coconino Community College, Kent State University, and Lake Michigan College. In addition, I served as the music expert for the Department of Defence Education Activity and consultant for the non-profit Little Kids Rock. ​I earned my Ph.D. and Masters in Music from Kent State University. I have also written a number of articles (published internationally), two books, and I am currently completing a book titled Street Beats: The People, History, & Grooves. 

 

When I first met you, we talked a little bit about the instruments you discovered in the music department. Could you describe one? Have any been brought back into use?
 

There are a few crazy instruments that we have at BBCC, such as an old Fender Rhodes, some cool tube amps, and Mariachi instruments. We have started using some of these instruments, as the tube amps have been used by the BBCC Viking Percussion and there are plans to add Mariachi back into our offerings soon. 

 

One of your assignments gives students a chance to look at the richness of music history.  Have you ever discovered something amazing in your research? What types of journals, groups, organizations, professionals, or media to you follow to keep up with your work?
 

Interesting question. So, I would say that I discover amazing things all the time. Probably a few times a week. For example, working on my current book Street Beats: The People History, & Grooves, I found a number of historical connections between modern street drumming and musicians in ancient Persian markets and Greek street performers. Likewise, I love ethnography and case study research; so, I am constantly engaging in interviews and observations of musicians in my areas of interest. 

There are a number of academic journals that I find essential to my field and research. In fact, I was an editorial assistant for Contributions to Music Education (music education research journal) when working on my Ph.D., which gave me some insight intothe peer review and editorial processes. Anyways, the journals I use on a regular basis in my research and lecture preparation include The Journal for Research in Music Education; Journal of MusicologyPercussive Notes; Action, Criticism, & Theory for Music Education. ​In addition, I focus a lot of my research source material; so, reading the journals and writings of musicians and scholars is a big part of my research. For example, Beethoven's Heiligenstadt Testament or Plato's Republic, as both provide insights into their views on music and life. 

 

You have been sharing music out in the community at the farmer's market and you've been hosting events in nontraditional spaces like the library.  How does this fit your mission? What more do you have planned?  

I participate in a lot of music outreach in area schools, as I have provided multiple music workshops at Moses Lake High School, Ephrata High School, Othello High School, Quincy High School, Soap Lake High School, and others. Of course, the BBCC Percussion Ensemble performed an original work in the BBCC Library. I do share music in the community, such as a drum circle I facilitate at the Moses Lake Museum and performances at local venues (Farmers Market, Pirate Regatta, Private Events, Community Events). 

 

Regarding my mission, I see the Moses Lake Area as a culturally and musically rich area. While there are some traditions that are established, my hope is to fill the gap and enhance what is already being offered, which will strengthen area music programs, musicians, and aspiring musicians. A good example of this was the master sessions we had the BBCC Viking Percussion performance of "Viking War Chant," which featured three musicians in the area. 

Regarding what I have planned, I would say I'm just getting started. I have seen BBCC Viking Percussion improve a lot since its inception; so, that group will continue to push musical boundaries. Likewise, I have plans to increase our offerings and musical activities at BBCC and in the community

​What book, poem, or study have you read that engaged you so deeply you were changed?

That is a tough one, as I read a lot and frequently refer to classic literature in my lectures, as music is informed by just about every aspect of society. On a personal level, the two books that I refer to a lot (too much according to my children) are Homer's Odyssey and Thoreau's Walden. Both works are filled with wisdom that I strive to live by. While there is a myriad of profound insights in each work, I personally endeavor to "simplify, simplify, simplify" as Thoreau advised and have the grit, determination, and stoic focus of Odysseus

 

 

Issue 7 and 8 of Dr. Sara Tweedy's Down the Research Rabbit Hole

 

You have had an amazing range of studies, professions, and successes. Not everyone has been a heavy wheel diesel mechanic and also attended Yale Divinity School. Your range is breathtaking. You've worked on issues of justice, reform, LGBTQI, and education. Your tagline "See you around the Bend" has also been attention-grabbing.  It seems in addition to the range of studies and experiences you may also have some promo mojo.  Through these years, what have been your go-to texts, journals, magazines, and/or online resources?  Do you have gurus, mentors, or writers/researchers that serve as your inspirations?

 

I can’t resist saying that the question implies that I took a well-thought-out path through life. I definitely did not. Life has invited me to embark on interesting journeys and I have taken a variety of different trails getting stronger and more confident on each adventure. Maybe the universe has this well-laid plan, but I am not privy to the plan. Whenever life tempts me with a new adventure I just keep saying, “Yes!” I want to learn and grow as a result of the places life takes me. 

In college, I was introduced to the advocacy and writings of incredible people like Audre Lorde and bell hooks, who shared a perspective and a vision that really pricked my conscience. I also was fascinated by Eleanore Roosevelt who used her position of privilege to advocate for equity. From then on, I read voraciously—books, magazines, journals—and listened carefully to others about their lived experiences. My go-to writings are the biographical stories of individuals who pursued a fairer, more equitable world enduring great risk, ridicule, and harm.

  Image of Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy

What kind of research did you do to prepare for your interview at BBCC?  What sources did you consult? Did you use social media or another other digital media? Is there a story about a place or event in the area that intrigued you?  

 

My research on BBCC began before I even applied for the presidency. One of my make-or-break criteria is related to diversity. Because Big Bend is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS), I decided to learn more. I read the college’s strategic plan, the Academic Master Plan, the Campus Climate Action plan, Board of Trustees Minutes, and other publicly available information such as completion rates. I studied the organizational structure, read the local newspaper, and researched all things Moses Lake and Big Bend. I also spoke to people who live in Washington and work in the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) system. As I progressed in the search process, I returned to those sources and individuals and kept digging deeper. 

 

 

Your dissertation: Tweedy, S. T. (2018). More than Just Numbers: Strategies for Improving the Use of Data to Increase Community College Student Progress and Success (Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland University College), includes in the acknowledgment a small anecdote about your sons who wanted to play soccer, but you were busy researching, writing, refining, and completing your dissertation. We have many student parents on our campus.  Do you have any research advice for them and their unique challenges?

 

My most important piece of advice, GET HELP FROM LIBRARIANS! They know their way “around the stacks.” They’ll save you a lot of heartaches trying to figure out a research approach on your own. 

In addition, I deployed two strategies that served me well. You may know the old adage, “How do you eat an elephant?” Disgusting, but useful imagery that encapsulates one of those strategies—one bite at a time. Being a mother of two, a professional with great responsibility and a part-time doctoral student meant that every single day was chock full of things that I needed to do, places I needed to be, and people to whom I needed to attend. If I did not take my research in bite sizes, I could be overwhelmed quickly. My first piece of advice: Break the assignments down into smaller actionable steps and the first step in that process is… wait for it… talking to a librarian. Accomplish that step!

Lastly, keep the goal in mind. When I wanted to cry and tear my hair out, I took a mental break to imagine that moment when my sons would ask me to play soccer on some Saturday afternoon and I would be able to say, “YES!” (When they read that statement in the acknowledgments, they held me to it too!) Another was imagining graduation day when my sons would also see their mother at the hooding ceremony with all of the pomp and circumstance that comes with it. While they may have been too young to fully understand all the implications, I know they will in time. 

 

Image of Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy with pet

 

Tell us about one of the biggest or the most important presentations you have ever done.  What was your research approach? How far did you go with audience research?  What type of feedback did you get?  Did you use any unique sources? 

Presenting myself as a candidate for president at Big Bend was my most recent high stakes presentation! I was so honored to progress through each stage of the process, but I had to check my ego that I was not in this process to get the job at all costs. I wanted to present an authentic version of my vision so that there would be no question about who I would be as president—a student-centered, approachable leader with heart and passion for the justice mission of community colleges. While I was reading cues that this vision was resonating with the BB community, I could not venture into guessing what someone might want to hear which could result in a poor match. When I was offered the position, that was the ultimate feedback that there was a like-minded college locked in the same pursuit to use education to uplift socio-economically marginalized persons. The commitment to students was palpable and I wanted to be part of Big Bend.   

 

We started a tradition of Holiday Haikus at BBCC last year. Do you have any poetic interests or writing you might share with us this year? On the scale of "poet and I know it" to "Haikus?"  where does your wordsmithery fall? 

 

I have dabbled in writing poetry, but my craft is the spoken word! I love to bring written words on a paper to life for an audience. I get chills when I can see my words landing on others in a way that resonates with them, inspires them, and/or humors them. I experience great fulfillment from introducing ideas in ways that provoke thought and deep consideration. In that sense, I do consider myself “a poet and I know it.”

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