Welcome, class of 2030! I am Sonia Sánchez, one of the fellows at the Teaching and Learning Collaboratory (TLC). I recently, officially became Dr. Sonia upon finishing my doctoral program in Critical Social Psychology at the Graduate Center, CUNY. I have a lot of love for the CUNY community and have very much enjoyed working with CUNY students and faculty across campuses and departments. Through the TLC work, I work most closely with Hunter, Queens, and Macaulay Central classes.
I am particularly geeky about social movement history, solidarity, foraging, sci-fi, embroidery, and eating all the seasonal produce. I am always longing to be outside more. One of this year’s goals is to learn more tree-identification 😉
Affirming words
My affirmation for you is a combination of a couple pieces of wisdom:
1) There are things in this world that only you can do, ways of thinking that only you can think (I can’t remember from whom I first heard this). As nascent scholars, it may be easy to focus on external expectations of how our writing/work should look. There may be pressure to center how you measure up to those expectations or how you compare to others around you. However, there are unique contributions that only you can make. Where do your own values/commitments and unique insight intersect? How can you build from that?
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2) While we each have our unique contributions as individuals, I’ll add the words of Nick Estés, Sicangu Lakota scholar and organizer:
“All knowledge is produced through relationships”
Our insight, skills, commitments, are ALWAYS improved and sharpened collectively. So, I recommend continuing to build with communities you’re already part of while also building new community and support systems. And, importantly, that part of this involves listening and learning and sharing across experience/wisdom.
One thing I’m excited about:
I’m excited to reflect on the insights and ideas produced by Macaulay students in the Critical AI Literacy Institute last semester, to think through resources that could be of use to students and faculty.
One thing I need community support to get through:
I am forever trying to be a better educator, and I really value learning more about teaching with TLC colleagues, faculty, and students.
Anyway, the TLC is here for you – please do reach out!
– Sonia
