Last year, a friend of mine asked me to be on a panel on allyship. The fact that she thought of me for this panel was an honor, and one that I felt uncomfortable with in many ways because of how imperfect of an ally that I am. In prepping for the panel, I didContinue reading “Memphis”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Grand Challenges
Wednesdays this semester have been my craziest, busiest days of the week, and yesterday was the last official “regular” Wednesday of the semester. I am so very thankful! But I totally went out with a bang, in that not only did I teach my 4 classes but I hosted a tandem drama troupe of individualsContinue reading “Grand Challenges”
Cookies, crumbs, community
When I was in my PhD program, I had the opportunity to teach several courses at the UNC-Chapel Hill MSW program, as well as a course in their “triangle” MSW program (though they may call it something different now). One semester I was teaching a course that students typically dreaded (Research I) and I wasContinue reading “Cookies, crumbs, community”
Grief and longing
Several years ago I saw a poster that said “To teach is to touch a life forever”. I like the sentiment and in general agree with it, but my experience of teaching in higher ed is that the students touch my life as much or more than I touch theirs. It is a gift thatContinue reading “Grief and longing”
Winners, losers, and nuances
I was in the car a good bit this weekend, shuttling kids from various points to other various points. I was in my husband’s car, which meant I could actually use the radio. (My car radio has been broken for….awhile.) As a result of this car change, I got to listen to the TED RadioContinue reading “Winners, losers, and nuances”
Laying a foundation for community in a class with (emotionally) tough content
I am teaching a child welfare class for the first time since spring of 2020, which as we know is a semester that went upside down and sidewise due to the onset of COVID. And, we haven’t had a truly “regular” semester since then. Even in the summer I feel like there has been aContinue reading “Laying a foundation for community in a class with (emotionally) tough content”
Being kinder to yourself: Strategies for self-compassionate talk.
In the swirl of prepping syllabi and other things to get ready for the semester, I am feeling exhausted and scattered. Trying to remember that I don’t have to do everything (or even anything) perfectly. This piece from the Harvard Business Review was very helpful, which I found surprising because I don’t think of theContinue reading “Being kinder to yourself: Strategies for self-compassionate talk.”
Blank space
We listen to a lot of Taylor Swift in my house, as I am the parent of three “Swifties”. Some of the lyrics get into my head whether I want them to or not (though I am a moderate Swiftie myself). “Blank Space” is one of those songs I like even though I am sureContinue reading “Blank space”
Loaves and Fishes
A few weeks ago, on a sunny day, I put my students in pairs and told them to go for a 15 minute walk and check in on each other, and to specifically ask “What are the words you need to hear right now?” When they got back from their (much appreciated) walks, I askedContinue reading “Loaves and Fishes”
“A writer’s heart is always breaking…It is through that broken window that we see the world” (Alice Walker)
One of my laments in life these days is that I don’t have time to read as much as I would like to do. I know a number of people who feel the same way. On the eve of the beginning of Black History month, I wanted to share 5 of my favorite authors, voicesContinue reading ““A writer’s heart is always breaking…It is through that broken window that we see the world” (Alice Walker)”
Teaching (toward) the Beloved Community 