Katie's CIDRE Portfolio
Katie's CIDRE Portfolio
Embedded Files
My name is Katie Riggsbee. I'm a native North Carolinian and have lived in the Triangle area my whole life. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I received my bachelor's degree in elementary education. I have been teaching 1st grade in Wake County Public Schools since 2011 and I am beginning my 13th year teaching 1st grade at the same school, Mills Park Elementary.
When I am not in the classroom, I love spending time with my family who are all still living locally as well. I enjoy baking (especially my grandmother's pound cake recipe), listening to music (especially early 2000's boy bands), and traveling to the beach.
Written Reflections
Austrian Education System Reflection
The article that I read was “OECD Reviews of School Resources: Austria 2016.” This article discussed the structure and basic policies of the school and education system in Austria. I found it very interesting to read about the Austrian Education system as there were many differences from the system that I have always known from both growing up and teaching in The United States.
One major difference I found intriguing was the structured pathways, or tracks, that students are placed on early in their school careers. These differentiated pathways and schools funnel students into different opportunities later in life. There is a heavy emphasis on vocational schooling and pathways with more than half of students enrolled in vocational schools by age 15.
While there are some opportunities for students to test into another pathway once they’ve been separated into their tracks, it is not easy to do so. I found it particularly interesting that these tests are some of the very few standardized style tests found in Austrian schools. The lack of standardized testing and assessments is both alluring as a teacher who knows how unfair such tests can often be, and also alarming as it draws into question whether or not there is a way to know if students in Austrian schools are all being taught equitably and effectively.
Despite being a country with relatively low urbanization, Austria also has a very large migrant population. Students who are Croatian or Slovenian are even entitled to education in their native language, provided through the Austrian school system, for the duration of their “primary education” which lasts for 4 years beginning at age 6 (when school becomes compulsory). I wondered as I read and as we discussed with our group just how the Austrian school system funds and operates primary schooling for students in other languages besides German when those students are potentially spread out in rural areas throughout the country.
The Austrian education system seems to be very complex. As someone not already familiar with the setup, I struggled a bit with keeping up with the acronyms, names, and terminology used in the article to describe the different types of Austrian schools and opportunities they provide. I would be intrigued to have the opportunity to talk to students and teachers who have lived through this educational system to see how they view it and what insights they could provide into the pros and cons.
Film Review
The Sound of Music
1965
This is a film of layers. Layers of production, layers of story, layers of history and fiction.
The 1965 movie The Sound of Music is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which is based upon the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers written by Maria von Trapp herself. The movie is set in 1938 Salzburg and tells the story of a young woman named Maria as she joins the von Trapp family as a governess. The story of Captain von Trapp, his seven children, and Maria is a story of family and love, political convictions in the beginning stages of WWII, and the importance and power of music. (It is a musical after all!) There are layers of lighthearted singing as the children bicycle their way through beautiful Salzburg backdrops. There are nostalgic favorites such as Do-Re-Mi and My Favorite Things, that you may have heard even if you’ve never seen the movie. There are layers of drama and suspense as family and friends grapple with their political convictions and responses to the Anschluss. And there are layers of poignant beauty in the majestic views of the Austrian Alps and the healing power of music and love. The Sound of Music is considered a must-view classic film by many, and it is easy to see why it has captivated so many generations of music lovers, history lovers, and lovers of love stories.
Book Review
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
The Only Woman in the Room written by Marie Benedict is a historical fiction account of the life of Hedy Kiesler (later known as Hedy Lamarr) and her transition from young stage actress in Vienna, Austria to wartime inventor and film star in Hollywood’s Golden Age. The life of Hedy Lamarr is, in short, fascinating. Married at 18 to armaments seller Friedrich Mandl, the story follows Hedy’s time playing hostess to her husband’s many business associates, including Mussolini and Hitler. After escaping the abusive marriage, Hedy makes her way to Hollywood where she pursues acting again. She even begins working on inventions to further the war effort. (Her inventions ultimately laid the basis for WiFI, though she would receive no recognition for her work during her lifetime).
If these brief events of Hedy Lamarr’s life seem intriguing, the book will do little more than whet your appetite a bit further. The fascinating and intricate events of her life are often skimmed over and cut out through broad time jumps in this book. The writing is a little shallow and overall not an incredibly satisfying reflection of Hedy’s life. Though the author seems to be attempting to paint Hedy as a strong woman in a time where women were locked away, the book spends a great deal of time focused on Hedy’s romantic endeavors, rather than her political and scientific accomplishments or the other personal relationships in her life.
This book strikes an odd balance between introducing the reader to a fascinating character from not so long ago history and reading like a “chick-lit”/”beach read.” If you really want to know more about the life of Hedy Lemarr, your time may be better spent researching her elsewhere, and if you really want an enjoyable easygoing read for the beach, there may be books with lighter subject areas to pick from.
Waypoint for Group-Created Clio Tour
The House der Musik (House of Music) located in Vienna, Austria, is an interactive museum of sound and music. With four floors of musical exhibits to explore, this museum provides visitors with a chance to learn about how sound is produced, famous classical Viennese composers, and the Vienna Philharmonic. Some popular exhibits include The Virtual Conductor (where visitors can try their hand at conducting the real Vienna Philharmonic orchestra), Namadeus (where visitors can find out what their name sounds like as a Mozart composition), and Sonotopia (where visitors can create their own sound creatures called "Clongs" that will float around a virtual world of sound).
Visual Thinking Analyses
Flower Market at La Madeleine IV, 1889
Theodor von Hörmann
I found this painting to be so beautiful. The vibrancy and variety of the colors, the scenic and serene glimpse of life long ago, and the textures of the painting were all lovely. The scene feels peaceful and quiet, but still full of the hustle and bustle of life in a city. My eyes couldn’t quite sit in one place for long on this painting. I found myself glancing between colors and flashes of light. Initially drawn to the beauty of the flowers, I found myself lingering trying to notice all the tinier details in the background. The plants are all so vibrantly colored, while the people, buildings, and structures are more subdued and in neutral tones. In a museum such as The Leopold, this painting stood out to me because it wasn’t necessarily the one many visitors were there to see. It didn’t have a crowd lingering in front of it. Instead, people just walked by, briefly admired, and moved on. Perhaps a bit like those at the market in the painting itself, glancing at the flowers, appreciating their fleeting beauty, and then carrying on with daily life.
Handstone with Christ on the Mount of Olives
Attributed Caspar Ulich (1555 - 1576)
There were a few of these “handstones” in a collection together at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The collection struck me with all of its contrast. The handstones are carved out of rock, but they are delicately detailed. The dark stone carvings sit atop shining golden pedestals. Many of them depicted biblical scenes (this one is Christ on the Mount of Olives) mixed with scenes of mining life. I found myself wandering around the display over and over trying to see all sides of each piece all at the same time. The darkness of the stone forced me to get rather close in order to see all of the minute details. I felt I was being intentionally pulled into the tiny scenes before me and then pushed around again to the other side in order to see more. The contrast between the ancient scenes and what was more modern when these were made seems to be trying to draw some sort of connection between the two eras, or maybe between the everyday man and the heavenly.
Cultural Insights Posted as WhatsApp Texts
The following photographs and descriptions are from cultural insights that I posted to our WhatsApp group throughout the duration of our trip.
This large compass rose can be found on the ground under the archway of Michael's Gate in Bratislava. As the last remaining of the medieval gates of the city, Michael's Gate is now one of the popular spots for tours and tourists visiting the city. People coming from all over the world walk across this compass rose that points back out to many cities from different countries. It gives distances to places such as Vienna, Rome, the North Pole, and New York (suggesting this inlay isn't quite as old as the gate itself 😄).
Is it a tiny dried out Christmas tree on a pole? Nope! This is a Maypole found in the town square of Mariazell! Its height and central location make it easy to spot as you enter the city square. I wasn't able to find any plaques or markings describing the Maypole or its history, so I was originally unsure if that's what it really was. I was later able to find an article about the the 2023 ceremony to erect the current Maypole.
Gertraud was such a kind and welcoming host. She took great pride in showing us how to make strudel, and she really wanted to emphasize how simple and easy it was. She said not as many people make it at home anymore, but she loves how easy and versatile it is. It was evident that she's been making delicious strudel for years and she loves getting to share that tradition with others. She often opens up her home to various tenants and loves to meet new people. She sometimes even pays for yard work with a place to stay and promises of strudel. It was a delightful evening listening to and learning from Gertraud!!
I had the chance to just sit for an extended time today and just be. The park at Hellbrunn Palace was a beautiful place filled with other people doing the same. Families came with picnics, friends sat on a shady bench and just chatted or enjoyed the silence, and people ambled slowly along the paths. It would have been easy to walk quickly through the park just to get from one exhibit to another, but taking the time just be and just take it all in was delightful!
On the other side of Hellbrunn Palace were the trick fountains! Far from relaxing, this area is exciting and surprising! Everything in the fountain area is water powered, from jets of water that catch you off guard as they spray you as you walk by to grottos with elaborately designed pipes that mimic bird sounds, to this mechanical theater with figures depicting court life, all still powered by water. We may have all ben listening to different languages on our audio guides, but the squeals of delight and surprise and the laughter were certainly universal! 🤩
Travel Writing Piece
Slow Down, Take it Easy…Just not *Here*
Austria, and Vienna in particular, are known for a slower, easy going pace of life. During our two week stay in the region, Vienna was our “homebase.” Throughout our time in the city, I and my colleagues were told on numerous occasions that we needed to slow down in order to really enjoy the Viennese way of life.
Viennese locals loved to tell us about the right way to enjoy a lunch or dinner out, or even a trip to a local cafe for some coffee. Many restaurants and cafes allow you to seat yourself when you arrive, but don’t expect any other part of the dining out process to be “speedy.” I was told by locals, and colleagues with previous travel experience to the area, to allot hours for a meal out. Waitstaff are in no hurry to bring you a menu, take your order, or come around to check on you. They expect that you are there to relax, kick back, bask in the company of those you are dining with, and enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace. And certainly don’t rush the waiters when asking for the check at the end of your meal. They are expecting you to continue to sit, chat, and relax for a while! (We were even warned by some locals that if you do try to indicate you’re in a hurry, some restaurant staff may even take their time even more just to make sure you get the message that you ought to be taking it slower!)
It’s certainly a change from the way of eating out in the states where you are rushed away from your table as quickly as possible!
However, as much as it is a point of pride and superiority for many Viennese locals to make sure you know all about their laidback way of life, it doesn’t necessarily extend into every part of the city.
Yes, be laid back, take it easy, don’t rush, slow down…just not here:
The Grocery Store
Almost every one of the grocery stores I visited during my trip was hectic and hurried. Locals and tourists alike huffed and puffed behind me as I leisurely perused the baked goods or produce. While a grocery store is typically a pretty laid back experience for me back home, in Vienna I felt very anxious. I felt like I was constantly in the way of someone, and was definitely getting stares from people as I took too long to select my pastries. The checkout was another hectic experience as well. One cashier even grabbed my credit card out of my hand to tap the machine for me because I was apparently taking too long trying to pay and bag my handful of items for myself. A colleague of mine was yelled at in line because she took just a little too long putting the cart away and annoyed the person behind her. Even when I had my card out, reusable bag at the ready, and my quickest reaction times for taking the receipt…I never felt like I quite measured up for the speed that was expected of me.
Public Transit
You have to be ready! When the train, tram, or bus comes to a stop, you better be ready to push your way on or off within moments of its arrival. They don’t stop long, and the doors will shut on you if you’re taking too long! For a city that prides itself on a slower pace, that expectation is never extended when it comes to using public transit. We even had one experience where we were running for a tram that arrived at the stop while we were just about 40 yards away. The driver watched as our group of about 30 adults ran, full speed, to the doors, just to close them when we were mere feet away. (He did laugh at us and open them again to allow us on, but we definitely got the message to be faster next time!)
Waiting in Line
Or rather, I should say, there aren’t often many people really “waiting” in the line. Austrians not only tell you to slow down at a restaurant, they also tell you they don’t really always abide by a queuing system when in other parts of life. We were told “If you see a line somewhere, it’s probably Americans.” Waiting in line for some gelato? Someone is very likely to step right in front of you to order. Think you’re waiting for a turn to buy your tickets somewhere? Someone just might walk around you as you step to the counter. You certainly might need to slow down for your meals, but sometimes you’ll need to be on high alert and be a little more assertive to get your chance to have a turn.
So if you find yourself in Vienna, definitely heed the warnings of the locals and allot yourself plenty of time to enjoy the leisurely pace of a delicious meal at a local restaurant! But, keep those literal and figurative running shoes ready as you enjoy other parts of life in the city!
Lesson Plan
Technical Projects on Selected Cultural Theme
Theme: Holidays Celebrations and Traditions in Austria
One Second Every Day Documentary
One Second Every Day Documentary
This is a documentary of my trip to the Salzburg Christmas Museum, or Salzburger Weihnachtsmuseum, located on Mozartplatz in Old Town Salzburg. The museum offers visitors a glimpse of Christmas celebrations and traditions from 1840-1940. This museum is open year round!
The documentary here is accompanied by the Christmas hymn "Silent Night," composed by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics written by Joseph Mohr. This classic hymn was written and first performed just miles away from Salzburg.
Celebrate!
Celebrate!
Google My Maps
Explore this map to learn a little bit about some important holidays and festivals in Austria. This map features locations and information about a Christmas museum, summer Film Festival, New Years performances by the Vienna Philharmonic, and Maypoles!
Austrian Foods
Austrian Foods
Check out this Interacty matching game to learn more about famous Austrian foods! Food is an integral part of every culture, and it's often a big part of holidays and celebrations. Play this game to learn about some Austrian favorites that you may have seen before, and maybe a few that you've never even heard of!
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