Most of us cringe when we think of spending a full day with Middle Schoolers, but not Vonda. She has always had a heart for adolescents and a passion for equality and equity. That combination has made this middle school science teacher a powerful force for change on her large urban middle school campus where she is educating her entire community on culture and the need for understanding one another.
Her dissertation research on the Relationship between an adolescents’ spirituality and their ability to cope with bullying and victimization has motivated her to step out in faith to make sure students, teachers and staff are aware of the need to embrace our differences. “所有人都需要被包容.”
Please tell us about what you consider to be one of the biggest impacts you are making/have made in one of your respective communities.
When asked about the positive impact she has had on her community Vonda immediately goes to the The Black Student Union. The Black Student Union is a club she established on her school campus that gives all students regardless of their ethnicity an opportunity to learn about African American culture. Students who attend this club and functions (school wide assemblies with guest speakers etc) come from all walks of life. 在会议和活动中，他们教导宽容. At one club meeting they showed videos of the impact of children in civil rights movement. “It has been amazing to see connections that have been made by stepping out in faith and making sure we are all educated on culture.” The enhanced climate the BSU has created has given kids on campus an opportunity to have a voice. 这让他们知道我们是不同的，但仍然是一样的. 旺达的学校是以牧师的名字命名的. 马丁·路德·金. and she feels that this club and what they are doing on campus reinforces his dream.
你对这个社区的不同需求有什么了解?
“The Social emotional learning needs of kids have to be met or the consequences are dire. When these needs are not met in adolescence it can lead to depression and anxiety that carries over into adulthood.这对旺达来说并不是什么新鲜事, who has been working with middle schoolers for most of her teaching career, however her research affirmed this and underscored the importance of finding a way on her campus to meet those needs.
How was your research/study as part of CUI’s EDD program helped you address the needs of this community?
当旺达谈到她的论文时，她高兴极了! Her study was on the relationship between an adolescent’s spiritually and ability to cope with bullying and victimization. What jumped out at her during her intimate interviews with her participants was their ability to forgive. “宽恕为你的生活打开了丰盛的闸门!” Vonda says she grew up in a church preaching brimstone and fire, 认为上帝总是疯了. This was an eyeopener for her to see kids today feel so comfortable in their faith.
通过她的课程作业, her research for her lit review and theoretical framework and her own research with her participants she learned the importance of not just teaching the content and academics but of addressing students' cognitive learning needs. Through the research she also saw the importance of the equity piece. “我们需要相互了解. “
How have you used your research or experience to develop strategies to meet these needs?
旺达的研究激励她做更多的事情. “I really saw the significance of us learning about each other and embracing our differences. Once we do, we tend not to be judgmental and have those bullying attributes,” says Vonda. 黑人学生会在毕业论文之前就已经成立了, 这一直是她的爱好, but her work 在欧文的康考迪亚大学 helped push her to use the Black Student Union as a vehicle share this message and educate her entire school community.
但她的工作和信息不仅仅是为了她的学生. 旺达的工作提高了校长的意识, and together they have attended two equity conferences and have had some dialogue about inclusiveness. “这要追溯到我对欺凌的研究. 所有人都需要被包容.”
How has your involvement with this community impacted other areas of your life?
旺达一直为平等和公平而奋斗, but she is much vocal and conscientious now that she has brought the need for equity into everything she does. Working with this community and doing this research has motivated her to get started educating people about all cultures, 帮助他们意识到需要接受我们之间的差异. “It is important that kids get together and realize that they are not alone and that they have a support system. 所有人都需要被包容.”
Vonda, your CUI family couldn’t agree more and we are grateful for your ability to step out in faith to do this work!
访谈前调查的补充回答
在哪些方面，如果有的话，Ed.D. program enhanced your ability to assess and develop positions/programs/interventions to respond to the needs of this community?
The program has helped me have a global perspective of the needs of communities. I have established an organization on my school campus to give students a voice and to embrace diversity on campus. Community leaders have been invited to campus to inspire students to reach their highest potential.