Inclusion In Curriculum and Pedagogy
Faculty across disciplines are taking innovative approaches to bringing inclusion to our community.
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“Much of the reason why I came to Saint Mary’s as a faculty member is because of TFT,” said Spencer. “All too often, teacher education is not taken seriously or not enough time is given to it. In Teachers for Tomorrow we have five years with our students to grapple with the question of what it means to be an exceptional teacher in our schools.”
More than a decade ago, Professors Alvaro Ramirez, Myrna Santiago, and Maria Luisa Ruiz (left to right) dreamed of establishing an institute dedicated to Latino studies at Saint Mary’s. This fall, that dream will blossom into being, with the official opening of the Institute for Latino and Latin American Studies.
For the past several years, the Office of the Provost has offered research grants for up to $9,000 for tenure-track faculty. This year several professors are reasearching topics that fall under the inclusive excellence umbrella. From understading students with disabilites, to illuminating the lives of older LGBQT activitst, to feminisim, professors at Saint Mary's are furthering the commitment to inclusion.
Theology & Religious Studies department hosted Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, Professor of Systematic Theology. Dr. Copeland’s grounding in the Catholic tradition informs her exemplary commitment to theology that advocates for the dignity and liberation of black women and men, LGBTQ individuals, all women, refugees, and victims of violence.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not traditionally topics of focus in science classrooms, but it is extremely important that we include topics such as race, ethnicity, gender, and accessibility as they relate to environmental science, the outdoors, and our public spaces in our conversations and actions especially in today’s environment.
Hispanic and low-income students studying science at Saint Mary’s now have more access to tutors, mentors, internships, and diverse speakers, thanks to the CALC (Caminos a Las Ciencias or Pathways to Science) program, funded by the $2.7 million Hispanic Serving Institution STEM grant the College received from the U.S. Department of Education last year.
"If you look historically at the groups that have produced change, you will find that young people are at the forefront of nearly every single movement.”
- Professor Myrna Santiago