I thought I could use this space as a place to park some of my writing during Summer Institute so I could refer back to it and maybe show this as a way for my digital native students to keep a record of their own writing so here goes.

What does it mean to feel welcome?  How does it feel?

if you look at the word welcome, it is a combination of the words well and come.  when you are welcome, people are happy that you are there.  other ways to interpret welcome are that you are a needed addition to the group--as in this session--we are all welcome because we are now part of a grop of educators who are seeking our own professional development.  but what about when someone says thank you and we say you're welcome?  that could be transactional--I give you a piece of cake and you say thank you and I say you're welcome.  I suppose that is like a gift sort of thing.  I think originally welcome meant that it is good to have you here--but it has changed.  Oh and what about when you say you are welcome as in you are welcome to help yourself to some potato salad?  in this case it is like permission giving or allowing someone to share in something like you are welcome to have a seat means you can join the group.  but what does it feel like?  it feels good to be part of a group--we seek community and connection wherever we go, right?