Statement of
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
I believe in working with each student by honoring where they come from and where they wish to go. I recognize that learning is a life-long process and therefore, my students come to class with a multitude of life experiences and from a variety of backgrounds that inform and uniquely contribute to the learning experiences we build together in our classroom.
As an educator dedicated to the social learning principles of scholars such as Vygotski, Bhaktin, and Dewey, I work very hard to foster a democratic, socially collaborative, co-constructed learning space where each and every member of my classroom feels empowered to share their voice. As a composition studies scholar-teacher influenced by the critical work of Paulo Freire, Michel Foucault, Stuart Hall, Mike Rose, and the New London Group, I am passionately devoted to connecting writing and language studies with increased self-awareness in the hopes this leads to an expanded sense of individual agency for each learner. My goal and commitment to you, the student, is to foster a sense of democracy and relevancy throughout this course so that you might transfer this knowledge to other parts of your academic journey...and beyond.
Communication and mutual respect are essential components for success in any learning scenario, and as such, I strive to create experiences centered on dialogue and developing critical empathy in my classroom. This requires a mutual commitment from both teacher and students to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within our learning environment that values all races, ethnicities, sexualities, and backgrounds. To effectively build this environment, it is essential that every participant (including me!) commit to active, respectful participation in class activities and assignments. I recognize that this commitment to sharing and communication rests on your ability to feel safe and appreciated in our classroom, and I assure you that I will do my utmost to protect your right to contribute while also protecting the rights of others in the class to feel safe and appreciated.
