Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As an Educator:
As an Educator, I have a passion for helping students to discover their unique strengths by providing an encouraging environment and creative learning opportunities. I have found that learning occurs in an environment that is equal, fair, and empowering, celebrating each student’s unique contribution and diversity they bring. I believe that by treating all students with respect, giving clear expectations, and providing choices encourages academic integrity, student creativity, and critical thinking. An environment that is rooted in respect provides students with a feeling of belonging (inclusion) and encouragement. Encouragement allows students to explore their strengths, take risks, become responsible for their learning, and feel part of a learning community with others who share the same interests.
As a Counselor:
My philosophy of diversity is centered on building clients’ strengths to empower their ability to manage problems. This can be done by actively advocating for underrepresented people by developing, coordinating, and initiating support systems to improve the conditions that foster wellness. I also believe that it is important to understand my own cultural worldview. I strive to provide counseling services to clients acknowledging counselor-client differences and similarities as significant to the counseling process. This knowledge and awareness provides a strong foundation to be able to effectively work with people from diverse cultures, and advocate for fair and just systems for all people.
Social Justice:
Before I earned my doctorate degree I spent 12 years working in alternative education programs that served at-risk and underrepresented youth. Not only did I provide advocacy and leadership, but I also provided counseling for youth and their families. Through these roles, I learned the importance of service learning and social justice work. While working within the social environment of my students I learned that many issues could be seen through the lens of political and institutionalized ideas and the discourse these ideas have within families and communities. I became interested in the psychology of human behavior and this connection with the construction and deconstruction of a community’s culture and social structure. I worked with families on issues of inequality, attainability, gender, culture and ethnicity, and how social change is created and/or oppressed. I was very active in working with community leaders and organizations to provide more opportunities, positive experiences, and bridging the attainment gap for my students.
As an Educator, I have a passion for helping students to discover their unique strengths by providing an encouraging environment and creative learning opportunities. I have found that learning occurs in an environment that is equal, fair, and empowering, celebrating each student’s unique contribution and diversity they bring. I believe that by treating all students with respect, giving clear expectations, and providing choices encourages academic integrity, student creativity, and critical thinking. An environment that is rooted in respect provides students with a feeling of belonging (inclusion) and encouragement. Encouragement allows students to explore their strengths, take risks, become responsible for their learning, and feel part of a learning community with others who share the same interests.
As a Counselor:
My philosophy of diversity is centered on building clients’ strengths to empower their ability to manage problems. This can be done by actively advocating for underrepresented people by developing, coordinating, and initiating support systems to improve the conditions that foster wellness. I also believe that it is important to understand my own cultural worldview. I strive to provide counseling services to clients acknowledging counselor-client differences and similarities as significant to the counseling process. This knowledge and awareness provides a strong foundation to be able to effectively work with people from diverse cultures, and advocate for fair and just systems for all people.
Social Justice:
Before I earned my doctorate degree I spent 12 years working in alternative education programs that served at-risk and underrepresented youth. Not only did I provide advocacy and leadership, but I also provided counseling for youth and their families. Through these roles, I learned the importance of service learning and social justice work. While working within the social environment of my students I learned that many issues could be seen through the lens of political and institutionalized ideas and the discourse these ideas have within families and communities. I became interested in the psychology of human behavior and this connection with the construction and deconstruction of a community’s culture and social structure. I worked with families on issues of inequality, attainability, gender, culture and ethnicity, and how social change is created and/or oppressed. I was very active in working with community leaders and organizations to provide more opportunities, positive experiences, and bridging the attainment gap for my students.
