Research
Authenticity, Accuracy, and Respect in Picturebooks About Africa: Implications for Pedagogy in the United States
Springer Early Childhood Education Journal
June 11, 2024
June 11, 2024
My undergraduate research advisor, Dr. Ariri Onchwari, and I co-authored a rich and reflective article on children's books set in Africa and their pedagogical implications within the United States. Ariri's positionality and perspective as a Black Kenyan woman and immigrant to the United States are centered in this article. She applies both her expertise in early childhood development and anti-racist pedagogy along with her personal experiences growing up in Kenya and navigating predominantly white spaces in the U.S. to critique three children's books set in Africa. I provided resources to enrich her research, theoretical frameworks, and book selection.
It is an honor and privilege (as a white person born in the United States) to share this research space with Ariri: an expert on early childhood anti-racist pedagogy and one of my close college mentors. I hope you enjoy this article. Its contributions to early childhood pedagogy and children's literature practices are profound. Let it serve as a catalyst for self-reflection and further research.
It is an honor and privilege (as a white person born in the United States) to share this research space with Ariri: an expert on early childhood anti-racist pedagogy and one of my close college mentors. I hope you enjoy this article. Its contributions to early childhood pedagogy and children's literature practices are profound. Let it serve as a catalyst for self-reflection and further research.
"The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on long-term brain development and health"
Aisthesis: the Interdisciplinary Honors Journal
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
"It is crucial to understand that [Adverse Childhood Experiences] ACEs have both immediate and long-lasting detrimental effects that have significant impacts long into adulthood. These effects impact brain development, behavior, and health" (p.1, para.1).
Blog Articles
Explore links to blog posts featured in UMD Careers and CEHSP!
Photo Credit: UMD Careers
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WHat can you do with a major in Unified early Childhood Studies?Collaboration with UMD Careers
Are you interested in a career in early childhood education?
Discover the entry-level and graduate careers you are qualified for with a degree in Unified Early Childhood Studies! |
Outside Articles and Other Spotlights
Photo credit: StarTribune News
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"Where a democratic election happens in an atmosphere of collective pride"StarTribune
November 13th, 2024 Co-authored with Ryan Kyle In this guest opinion article, Ryan Kyle, a good friend and fellow Fulbrighter, and I offer perspective and a window into Uruguay's model democratic process.
"There are only three full democracies in the Americas: Canada, Costa Rica and Uruguay. We have spent the last seven months living and teaching English as Fulbright scholars in Uruguay, arguably the least known of these three. Referred to as the 'Switzerland of South America,' Uruguay is a hidden gem of 3.5 million people that models a healthy democracy. Voting is mandatory and unifying. In Uruguay, voting is not just a 'right'; it is a civic duty." |
Photo credit: StarTribune News and Getty Images
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"Dear graduates: it's ok, really. . ."StarTribune
May 14th, 2023 In this featured opinion article, I share my thoughts as a recent college graduate and offer affirmations to other graduates' complex emotions and experiences. You are not alone, and you will be ok.
"College graduates, I write to you in this period of darkness and dismal isolation as a fellow 20-something struggling to forge her own path after four years of protected guidance. I write to you as a friend. However, I write also as a scared young girl who is just trying to paint on a face of confidence every day. I am here to tell you that you are not alone; I remind you that it is OK to not be OK, especially through this kind of existential crisis." |
Photo credit: CEHSP News
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"evolving through travel"CEHSP News (University of Minnesota Duluth)
December 10th, 2024 This spotlight article, written by Jax Wilder, explores my past travel experiences in Peru, Spain, and Croatia and how they inspired my desire to teach abroad in Uruguay. Moreover, Wilder highlights how travel is a formative force in my life, encouraging me to evolve and seek out diverse perspectives.
The article also features several photos from my experience teaching and living in Uruguay! |
Photo credit: Duluth News Tribune, Steve Kuchera
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"University of Minnesota Duluth 'co-conspirators' target racist literature"Duluth News Tribune
March 22nd, 2022 In this article by Abigail Keely, I am featured in a discussion on the work the Anti-Racist Literacy Advisory Board to strip the UMD library of racist literature. The article also features narratives from Dr. Ariri Onchwari and Dr. Suki Mozenter, two of the founding faculty, and Laitzia Yang, a student board member.
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"Journaling Teacher Education" UMD News Center
September 23, 2021 In a feature which highlights students' unique accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, I discuss my inspiration for creating Journal of a Future Teacher, my decision on early childhood education as a career, my process of launching and growing the blog, and my hopes for the blog's future.
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Photo credit: CEHSP Instagram Page
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Student spotlight: Meghan HestermanInterview with UMD CEHSP
In an interview with my university's College of Education and Human Services (CEHSP) program, I discuss:
What I enjoy most about my major/minor Advice for incoming students My most meaningful experiences at UMD |