About Me:
Something is wrong with our education system. Underrepresentation is not only a symptom, but also a reliable indicator of the structural inequality that pervades this system. Structural inequalities are more challenging to overcome; they are often shrouded in invisibility and insulated by hegemonic discourse, as is the case with education: with the [myth] of meritocracy played out the “even” playing field—the cream is said to rise to the top. While students do rise, why is the great diversity of our nation not as well represented in this ascension? Perpetuators of the hegemony—unknowingly or not—assert that the answer to this question lies in closing the “achievement gap”. But, are we to truly believe that if all students performed equally well on standardized exams, underrepresentation would cease to exist? How we choose to frame this issue dictates our avenues for resolution. Time to reframe.
To achieve truly equitable outcomes in education, it is crucial that we become equally concerned with the conditions that guide and shape how, when, and why diverse groups of students achieve and learn in meaningful ways, not simply what students learn or the scores they attain. The implications for greater equity are clear: the ways in which students perceive themselves as learners and doers—and how others perceive them in these ways—shapes their actions in school thereby impacting learning outcomes, success, and conceptions about accessible, achievable, and appropriate futures.
Improving education through seeking to foster diversity as well as my own personal commitments to equity and social justice are the primary motivating factors for why I do what I do, and are the manifestations of how I define myself as a scholar and as a person. This work is my passion, and I will build my career around promoting productive educational spaces resulting from the equitable, just, and respectful collaboration among a true diversity of students: the genuine strength of our nation.
Area(s) of Training
anthropology, applied anthropology, cultural anthropology, ethnography, psychology, other
Current Area of Employment
Research & Teaching
