It’s the beginning of February, and it already feels like the spring semester has been going on for months; not just barely three weeks. And yet, that’s how business (and admittedly, stress) fools the mind into thinking that time has either passed so slowly, or it’s just buzzing right on by.
This semester I am embarking on multiple new adventures! One of which I’m very excited for, which was adjuncting. I was given the opportunity to continue to work under Dr. Claire Cameron’s supervision and take up the responsibility of teaching Introduction to Child Development to undergraduate students at U.B. As I said to Dr. Erin Kearney (our current chair), this is the first time in several years that I’m working in a classroom setting such as this, as most of my work has been teaching preschool children with autism and supporting developmentally functional skills. I was a mess of nerves on my first night (it’s a 3 hour evening class), but student feedback that I got in the form of exit tickets showed me that they are looking forward to class and are really excited. I’m hoping that I can continue this level of joy throughout the semester with them!
Last week, we tackled child theorists and the basics of research, and I tried to guide them through a think-pair-share activity on using applied developmental research tactics to help guide public health policy for SIDS in leu of the new research that’s come up on it. In truth, this was just a practice activity, and I wanted them to just try it out. I told them, “We may not be doctors in this room, but we can still think about these things and advocate for change!” At the end of class, I asked for an exit ticket to have them write down at least one thing they learned tonight in class. Surprisingly, many of them (I currently have 31 enrolled students) wrote about this activity! They had said that they didn’t even know what SIDS was. One student specifically wrote how she was glad that I had brought it up, because she couldn’t imagine another opportunity in her time in her program that something so important would be talked about.
And though this wasn’t the focus on my lecture that night, I was touched. It reminds me of this revolving sentiment in education, wherein “learning” doesn’t just involve reading in a textbook. We must involve what’s going on in the world. That’s how you can connect the learning to something of value for these students, I believe.
Also, in preparation for my AERA roundtable talk in Philly this year, I’m presenting my research at U.B in March! As a Schomburg fellow, I applied for the opportunity to present my work through The Office of Fellowships and Scholarships. They selected me to present my work to a general audience at U.B.
I’m very excited about this opportunity as well! I may also be speaking earlier on in the week at the GSE Research Symposium, but I haven’t quite made up my mind yet if I’ll apply. I’m currently in conversation about that.
Also, on a random note, I nominated myself and my work to Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences committee for the Alumni Spotlight Award for 2024. I received word that they accepted my nomination, however, I wasn’t selected to receive the award. On the bright side, I was told that the committee was still very impressed with my work, and I have automatically been nominated for a chance to receive the award in 2025. I’m hoping to be able to submit more work from this year for my nomination!
I may be very busy this semester, but I do hope to update this every now and then! Thank you for joining me in this journey!
Samantha Didrichsen, MSED. 