Browsing by Subject "Educators"
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Item Avery Wright Interview(2022-06-10) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Avery Wright, a theater educator living in San Marcos, TX. Avery talks about growing up in College Station and living cautiously as a young transgender man. He compares these experiences to his time at Texas State, where he became involved in the student organization Bobcat PRIDE. Avery describes his leadership role in Bobcat PRIDE and the educational and entertainment events that he and the organization hosted.Item Elizabeth Melton Interview(2023-04-13) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Elizabeth Melton, the public engagement director at IDCL, from Crumpler, NC. Elizabeth describes her childhood in Longview, TX, where she was surrounded by her extended family with deep ties to public education and the Presbyterian Church (USA). She shares how her childhood involvement in theater eventually led to her PhD in performance studies. Elizabeth talks about her experience of the Texas Freeze of 2021. She also discusses her complicated relationship to Texas as both a beloved home and site of political strife.Item Faegheh Shirazi Interview(2021-06-18) Institute for Diversity & Civic LifeThis interview is with Faegheh Shirazi, a professor in the Middle Eastern Studies Department at UT Austin. Faegheh talks about her family life and education in Iran before the Iranian Revolution, including her early exposure to education and religion prior to moving to the United States for college. She tells the story of her higher education and how she ultimately found her scholarly passions for textile history and Muslim women’s studies. Faegheh also discusses the areas in which she teaches and publishes, such as understanding the hijab in intersectional contexts and Muslim women’s lifestyles and leadership.Item Gregory Han Interview(2022-03-14) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Gregory Han, an educator and Presbyterian minister active in interreligious dialogue in Houston. Gregory shares his story of growing up biracial in a very White area and the experience of simultaneously fitting in anywhere and nowhere. He talks about his path in education toward discovering his passions for both academics and ministry. Gregory discusses his work with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, such as leading visits to houses of worship and organizing dialogue between leaders and communities of different faiths. He also talks about the unique challenges of interfaith work in Texas as well as doing this work in the aftermath of 9/11.Item Jaime "Mujahid" Fletcher Interview(2022-01-25) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Jaime “Mujahid” Fletcher, founder of IslamInSpanish. Jaime shares about his youth, during which he was involved in gang activity in Alief then developed his value of education in Colombia. After his conversion to Islam at twenty-three, Jaime began to translate Islamic literature and thought into Spanish so his Latino family and community could better understand Islam. Jaime goes on to describe the growth of IslamInSpanish from its inception as a family project to its current state as a vibrant community in the Centro Islamico in Alief. He also discusses the social justice projects IslamInSpanish is involved in and shares his advice for working toward social change.Item Jessica Disla Interview(2022-02-25) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Jessica Disla, a member of the IslamInSpanish community and an aspiring teacher. Jessica talks about growing up and family dynamics in a Dominican-American family in Dominican Republic and New York City. She shares her journey in her career and education and is currently working towards her bachelor’s in education in order to teach ESL. She discusses spiritual seeking and asking difficult questions about religion, and how her curiosity eventually led to IslamInSpanish and her conversion to Islam. Jessica describes her love for the IslamInSpanish community and the many ways she participates in it.Item Juan Coronado Interview(2021-08-18) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Dr. Juan Coronado, a professor from the Río Grande Valley. Juan reflects on growing up surrounded by Latino culture and on his exposure to migration and the presence of the border. He talks as a historian about his impressions of changes at the border and in the US at large that followed 9/11. Juan also discusses the effects of wars in the Middle East on Middle Eastern populations, American troops, and American culture.Item Latifah Hameen Interview(2021-12-22) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Latifah Hameen, a life/relationship coach and domestic violence awareness advocate in Sachse, TX. Latifah describes her education and family life growing up Catholic in Milwaukee, WI. She talks about her conversion to Islam at twenty-one, her family’s acceptance of the change, and the ways in which Islam influences her morality and actions. She discusses her activism in domestic violence awareness, which includes several published books and life and relationship coaching. Latifah also tells of her life as an educator, including the years of teaching and tutoring she has done with Muslim youth.Item Ramon Mejia Interview(2022-11-02) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Ramon Mejia, a veteran of the Marine Corps and anti-war organizer in Waxahachie, TX. Ramon describes his childhood in Oak Cliff, Dallas, leading up to his decision to join the Marines. He shares about his experience in the military, his deployment in Kuwait and Iraq, and being discharged for his health. He talks about his curiosity about Islam after deployment and his decision to convert. Ramon goes on to describe his work as an educator and organizer. He talks about how his intersecting identities influence the work he does, particularly in the post-9/11 United States.Item Sarah Aburumuh Interview(2023-03-14) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Sarah Aburumuh, a high school teacher in San Antonio, TX. Sarah describes growing up in her large Muslim family, memories of 9/11, and her decision to put on the hijab in middle school. She talks about her experiences as a teacher, especially with regards to race, religion, and teaching diversity. Sarah shares about being seen as a representative of Islam because of her hijab and talks about her approaches to prejudice. She also talks about her inspirations and influences.Item Sola Akinola Interview(2022-08-04) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Sola Akinola, a musician and musical instructor in Grand Prairie, TX. Sola talks about his childhood as the son of Nigerian immigrants, describing a sense of alienation from both his peers and his culture. He discusses his interests such as favorite school subjects, stories, games, and musical involvement that led to his current career. Sola shares his experiences of discrimination and racism as a Black man and first-generation American, and he describes how these experiences have impacted his relationship with and understanding of the United States. He also talks about the intersection of these aspects of his identity with his neurodivergence.Item Tara Bonds Interview(2022-03-26) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Tara Bonds, an educator and librarian in Elgin, TX. Tara shares the story of a trip she took to Egypt with her grandmother after college, and how it opened her eyes to cultural diversity and intercultural connection. She then describes her first year teaching middle school, which began with the events of 9/11, and how she navigated that in the classroom and provided a safe escape for students. Tara also discusses the lasting impacts of post-9/11 legislation on every-day freedoms and national security.Item Victoria Ferrell-Ortiz Interview(2022-03-17) Institute for Diversity & Civic Life; Department of Religious StudiesThis interview is with Victoria Ferrell-Ortiz, an education and urban planning organizer in Dallas. Victoria describes the disconnect she saw at a young age between the resources available to the Mexican-American side of her family and to the White side. She talks about other organizers she has worked with and been inspired by in Dallas, including her co-founders of the Rayo Planning nonprofit. Victoria shares her experiences of religion throughout her life, and how her relationship to Christianity has changed over the years. She also details her work, such as with educational and urban planning nonprofits and with oral history.