The critical, social and Global perspectives I gained during my doctoral work and throughout my life are probably some of my most treasured experiences.

 

 

My growth came through the people I met and the relationships I have created. What you will find on this page is pictures, reflections and an assignment that demonstrates my growing perspectives.

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I have found variety and crossdisciplinarity connections particularly valuable because each one of us came from a different country. Each topic we discussed had insights from Paraguay, China, Jordan, and America. We are all similar in age, so for me it was fascinating to learn how they were growing up in their home country at the same time I was growing up in America. The comparison and contrast added greatly to the depth of growth in this class.  What follows is the slideshow presentation I created for this class.

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I have been blessed to have classes with and work with people from all around the world. Some of those places include; Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Africa, China, Italy, Paraguay, Taiwan, Canada, and various parts of the United States. Each of us brought unique interests, educational pursuits, fields backgrounds, customs, beliefs, skill levels, abilities, and understandings. These perspectives created an even greater need for an inclusive atmosphere.

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From Chinese friends, I learned to appreciate freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and a democratic government. I learned about government and social oppression and the need to educate and share information. I was unaware that the Chinese people are censored and restricted by governmental control. My friend attempted to post information about the yellow umbrella protests in Hong Kong. It was shut down by her government. 

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From many of the women, and some of the men, I have gained an appreciation for my rights as a woman. America may not be perfect, however, many who come here experience, for the first time, the ability to drive, talk and think for herself, make decisions, and gain an education simply because she wants to. I learned that many of them choose to cover their face and or hair as an outward declaration of an inward commitment. Many of these women have not had someone believe in her ability and during their time in America have found out who they are. I also became aware that my choices should not be imposed on anyone else, just as her choices should not define who I am. For example, I am not a caged woman because I chose to stay home with my children for the last 18 years. I am not a better woman because I chose to get a Ph.D. These choices I have made, and while they shape me, they do not define me. Each of us has the right to choose who we are and what we do.

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Navigating the social and global perspectives I have been introduced to in the last two years has been an invaluable education. I have broadened my ability to think about how to include the vegan in-class celebrations, how to create a lesson plan which will include and respect all religious beliefs. Thankfully, the friendships I have forged with these people has made it possible for each of us to ask questions and practice the potentially volatile differences in a safe space. My father was in the air force, and because of that we moved a lot and even lived outside of the USA. I have never thought of myself above another and believed that every human life is to be respected. Working with a conglomeration of people with these distinct differences caused me to reflect and challenged me to practice new ways of thinking.

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I have been blessed with professors who didn't just suggest that we question our beliefs, they provided safe experiences and opportunities where we could not only challenge beliefs, we could also explore why we believe something to be a dominating truth. These experiences were delicately scaffolded to create equality in the class instead of a teetertottering power balance. Quite often these opportunities and reflections came as we taught each other. The mutual love and respect we have for each other heightened our desire to create lesson plans that were inclusive and equal.

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I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Canada, Iceland and various new states during my life. The relationships I have created and the growth in my own understanding of others deepened my experience and caused me to think about the cultures and reasoning behind the places I visited. This broadened perspective continues to sweeten my travels and relationships.

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