I love your analogy of our class and the new Star Wars movies! I’m actually really kinda nervous and sad that this class is ending. I feel like I’ve learned so much and had so many much needed conversations. But the work is not ending. Now we get to take what we’ve learned and put it into practice. We get to start training the new professional and change the current education system from within. And as with the other GEDI, we will always be connected by the Force, no matter where we go from here. ?
Author: Qualla
Comment on “He chose to do what is right, not what is easy” by Qualla
I thought of Dr. Edwards speech too after reading this week’s readings! This was the epitome of The New Professional. You did a great job of tying the two together and I love your application of Palmer’s five proposals to engineering education. It really ties everything we’ve learned this semester together.
Comment on Overwhelmed… by qualla
“We should also foster an environment where the Humanities is considered as an integral part of the curriculum, and not a check box to be ticked off in order to meet “minimum credit requirements.” ”
YESS!! I agree with so many of your points as well as Alex’s comment. We’ve talked about this in Foundations a little as well. Students feel so pressured and rushed with all the strenuous requirements for getting their degrees that the humanities classes are just a box and there’s no space for things like diversity, communication, or studying abroad. But it starts with us, the instructors, to change the culture. As Palmer says, we must recognize that we are a part of this system and that we can influence it in the right direction. I thought that was very reassuring and powerful.
Comment on I’m Tired…. by Qualla
Thank you guys so much for your kind words. I needed them. I posted this and then felt really afraid that what I said was going to be read as bitter or angry or unappreciative or {insert bad thing here}. I actually teared up reading these comments. I needed to know that I wasn’t alone in my struggle, that it was okay to be tired, that my feelings were valid or whatever, and that it was okay to share those feelings even when their not entirely positive.
This is definitely the year of self-care for me. I’ve been making it a priority but I’ll admit the last couple of weeks I’ve slacked a little bit on it and I’m feeling it now. But it’s okay. It’s okay to be tired and it’s okay to rest. But tomorrow I’ll get up and get back to work.
I LOVED this btw “But the burden of blackness is also a gift; the greatest privilege of my life. And that I must remember.” I relate so much. My “Indian-ness” is who I am. It’s what’s gotten me to this place. It’s in my blood. It’s why I do what I do & am passionate about my passions. It’s why I have an problem making eye contact (culture thing). It’s why I need community. It’s everything. It’s me. And I would never give up the trauma, fatigue, or burden for what it has given me. And that I must remember. ?
Comment on What it means to be a GEDI by qualla
I love this! As a Star Wars fan, I love this parallel! It’s such a good way to look at this topic. Thanks for sharing!
Comment on Achieving Diversity without Doing a Disservice by Qualla
I love this video. I think this pile up of microaggressions and this “disservice” you talk about might actually be what I’m dealing with right now that I discussed in my blog. I really appreciated your insights :)
Comment on “They wouldn’t even look at me” – Unexpected Insights on Inclusivity by Qualla
I loved this Rachel! It’s so true that it’s not until we see things through other peoples eyes that we really see what’s going on. Eye contact is such an interesting thing because it’s so different for different people, cultures, and backgrounds. I loved your closing especially – “the task of working toward an inclusive pedagogy is a continual one where there is still more progress to be made”.
Comment on So they can grab the hands of a thousand more… by qualla
I’ll have to admit, I had to look up “habodah” but I like it! ?
Comment on So they can grab the hands of a thousand more… by qualla
Awww… Thank you! This means so much! I don’t feel brave a lot of the time. I hope so to on both counts for colleagues. This class definitely helps with that. ?
Comment on So they can grab the hands of a thousand more… by qualla
Thank you so much! I hope so! I love these questions! I’m going to be teaching sophomores in their intro to our department’s class so I’m actually curious to ask them these questions too and see what their answers are just one year after this. I had already been thinking about starting the semester with questions similar but these will be great to add too! Thanks for the idea!
