A Compilation of Experience and Thought
By Datta Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D.
Last updated - January 2010
Introduction:

Thank you for taking the time to read a short story version of my early years to present day interests.

My interest in children started before my present memory permits recollection. Having been born the oldest of ten children - nurturing, responsibility and teaching were a natural part of 'who I was.' That never went away.
When I decided to attend college in the area of teacher education in 1970, I left the steel city of Pittsburgh, PA and headed north to the Snow Belt, close to the Great Lakes. Here Special Education focusing on speech and language therapy with extensive social and dance activities opened up my view of life - just a bit.

It was when I headed south to Florida and taught for 7 years in the public school system that the constraints of my early years were loosened and I began to view education, its responsibilities and the needs of children with more sensitivity. I was also introduced to Kundalini Yoga. The change in awareness began to happen - full speed ahead.
Evolving Perceptions

I continued my emphatic athletic participation of running, swimming, biking and martial arts, but now I had added the subtleties of yoga and meditation. I approached this form of "exercise" with the same passion and devotion as my other athletic ventures, but the results were different.
With the well-known dedication and enthusiasm evidenced in most of my efforts, I embarked on expanding my understanding and practice of a new quality of life that continues today. I immediately became a vegetarian at the age of 21 and experimented toward a healthier and healthier lifestyle until the present day, when raw foods are 85% of my diet. I spent many summers in yoga training and hours each day learning the ancient sciences. Kundalini yoga has been a part of my daily practice since those earlier years and I have now taught it to adults and children for over 25 years.
What was next with the Speech Pathology? I did continue in a Masters of Education program and worked with individuals who were challenged through deafness, autism, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, stuttering and lesser language abilities - until my 'ripe old' age of 28.
Family has a New Meaning

Then it was time to start a family. Which I did. I moved to Ithaca, NY, home of Cornell University, where my husband was a researcher in the Horticultural Department. Our wonderful, peaceful home and land in the country, edging 1700 acres of state forest soon became a center - a newly formed undertaking that would serve adults and children - a center for retreat, learning, adventure and community. As I traveled and studied, learning more about the philosophies of education and helping with curriculum development on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and Massachusetts, we also developed our efforts at home.

The house was small, but the heart was huge - everyone was invited. Thirty five children from 2 to 21 came with or without their families to this haven on a hill each summer. Just as many animals came to live, too. You name it and it probably was roaming our land. There was a pony, sheep, goats, pot belly pigs, chinchillas, chicken, ferrets, geese, llamas, dogs, cats, even a monkey, who was saved from a dreadful life in a small cage, roamed the acreage.

Of course, who could appreciate the animal kingdom relationships more than the kids? They eagerly joined the efforts of my family of three children and flourished in this paradise created just for them. Kids from all over the country were now the students and teachers of our animal behavior program and 'live-in' 6 week summer camp that flourished for over 12 years.
Creating Memories

As the leaves began to change color, the forest became more still, but even then other children came to join in the "homeschooling environment." Daily they learned their unlimited potential within. They had opportunities to design their own curriculum with drama, art, music and all the academics. Community service was always the strength of this weave of experience as the children developed costumes and dramatic acts to entertain children at hospitals. They organized a 'once a month' free community meal in the nearby city. The children prepped, cooked, served and inspired their families to be part of this service that continued monthly for the next 15 years. Another team had been built in the community as businesses made donations, organizations provided spaces and kitchen facilities, advertisements were welcomed and the line to be fed grew to 150+ people.

When the snows came, we still hiked and camped during'adventure weekends.' The animals still needed to be fed and visited and there was always room for another 'student' that could benefit from a family, a home in the woods or an alternative educational experience.
Business as Usual?

As my own children grew older, more time was spent 'in town' and my interests turned towards a new business. The animals found new homes, the camp doors were closed and I formalized my health and wellness experience into a corporate trainer/coach position that benefited thousands and was rewarded by a corporation in Oregon. I began to appreciate more and more the convenience of the technology as I published a book, developed training materials, traveled and trained with offerings of up to 5 teleconferences a week that 'spoke' to 100-150 people each call (Before the web conferencing days:).
Education and service was a focus once again - still having the freedom to continue homeschooling, but with a different touch. The structure of business, the communication skills of team building and the focus needed for success were appreciated by this teacher-turned business women. I was a 'fast learner' who was now serving in a new way, which brought much prosperity with expanded connections throughout the country. Now I had made friends with many who were 'faceless.' Through the power of the word, 'seeing' through the wires, thousands of new contacts were made, which were enduring, priceless and filled with mutual respect and gratitude...all in the name of health, increased wellness and prosperity. When I traveled to train or met hundreds face to face at the annual corporate meetings, the 'physical look' never quite matched what I had imagined, but those moments were always filled with surprise and affection.

Technology continued to advance and my subcontracting work required more and more of a learning curve to be on the 'cutting edge' of what was available for change and efficiency. Continuing all else that existed with "business as usual," I added advanced computer skills, an online teaching and learning certificate and a Masters of Education degree, specializing in online teaching and learning.

I received a $100,000 grant and became co-founder of an online media source in January, 2000 (At that time the local papers did not even have a website - we inspired this, however). My accumulated communication, organizational and team building skills served a lcoal community to increase media options, while uniting hundreds of international journalists, volunteers, readers and writers while broadening choices in communication related to local and national news.

This endeavor also became the focus of my Masters thesis and I created an online media internship program that offered 2 college credits to students for an intense one month focus of 80 hours of learning in the field of journalism, multimedia, technology, and public relations. College students, high schoolers and homeschoolers were engaged in innovative, authentic, multidisciplinary learning and received interactive, immediate feedback from professinal journalists, photographers and friends as their work was broadcasted around the world.

I continued my passion for education and the use of technology and completed a multidisciplinary PhD from the University of Maryland. Please email me for a copy of my thesis.

In recent times, I also spent 3 years as director of the Khalsa Montessori Charter School in Tucson, AZ, while continuing to be involved in designing and teaching online graduate courses -  working with 5 universities. Presently I am Director of Assessment for the University of Maryland, University College's Graduate Department of Education.

The 'net-geners' are a new generation of independent thinkers, learners with a dynamic, active role in their personal goals and research. This is the main incentive for my continued involvement in education, online teaching and learning and my research interests.

Personal Learning Revolution Continues

My oldest daughter is now 27, and is finishing her fourth year at Tufts Medical School in Boston. She has been married 4 years to a Peruvian architest, whom she met during her one year medical volunteer services in Peru. She'll be a resident doctor this summer.

My son is 25 years old, a techie, pilot and aeronautical and space scientist. He recently finished a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan.

My youngest daughter is 19 - and she, too has an adventurous nature.  After graduating from an international high school in Northern India, she is currently in her second year at the University of Vermont in Veterinary Science.

In Finality

One aspect of me has always remained consistent - the devotion to education, hope, wellness and positive change. I look forward to continuing the use of my talents as a professor, trainer, administrator and team builder while continuing development and research related to the intersection of technology, teaching and learning - and - of course- what the future offers.

Thank you for 'listening' and I look forward to our next communication.

photos by Datta Kaur Khalsa (dattakaurk@aol.com)

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