HGSE has an unbelievable course catalog. As someone who is so deeply passionate about education, imagination, and justice, browsing the list of courses filled me with glee. Because of my program requirements, however, my opportunities to take many of these incredible classes are limited. I have program-specific classes I must take to graduate and to obtain my teaching license. I go to my school site full-time two days per week. I work three jobs (that’s on me, not my program) and I participate in a myriad of HGSE and community initiatives (also on me). Graduate school is great, but it’s hard. Much harder than undergrad. That being said, my classes are much better than they were in undergrad. And despite my schedule constraints, I was able to find and enroll in some incredible courses this semester. I feel very grateful to be inside the classrooms I’m in and to share these spaces with such thoughtful minds and voices every week.
My favorite class this semester is EDU T550: “Designing for Learning by Creating,” with Professor Karen Brennan. Dr. Brennan alone is an amazing instructor. In addition to her teaching, though, eight teaching fellows also support our learning and assist in facilitating class. The class could best be described as an assortment of all my favorite theoretical tenets as a future educator. Agency. Innovation. Creativity. Application. Relevance. Joy.
My first day in the class, I created a light! Me! The creator of a light! Dr. Brennan and the TFs distributed tiny envelopes to all of us. These envelopes contained a piece of paper, a battery, a light, and a copper strip. 15 minutes later, I was able to turn my light on and off by applying and removing pressure. On the paper, I drew a sun (not incredibly original, but a classic nonetheless) right on top of where the light glowed. I was quite pleased with myself and my work, as were my classmates with their own. I saw lights flourishing in quick sketches of skylines, dragonflies, stars, and rockets. I was—and still am, honestly—in awe of the power of making a common object and sharing it with those around me. I felt real joy! Joy is something I strive to cultivate in classrooms where I operate as the teacher. It had been a while since I’d felt it as a learner.
Every class has a making, reading, and reflecting component. For the course, we are expected to keep a “design journal” detailing our reflections on class, readings, and “making” assignments. And there’s SO much freedom in how we present these reflections. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I create flowcharts, sometimes I make lists, sometimes I write stories (you can see some examples below!). My TF makes comments on every post I share in my journal. She affirms me and my thoughts. We’re learning about learning, and I think it’s so valuable that we’re learning about how we personally learn through our course activities. For me especially, it’s so critical I know what helps me learn best. By giving me the space to become the most effective and reflective student I can be, Dr. Brennan and the TFs are helping my future students, too. I don’t believe the best students are always the best teachers…but in this case, for students and future educators of T550, it certainly applies.
Written by Harmonie Coleman. Photos provided by Harmonie Coleman.
Hi y’all! I’m Harmonie and I’m a Ed. M. candidate at HGSE in the Teacher Education Program. I am pursuing my middle school English licensure and special education certification, with the hopes of teaching in a full-inclusion classroom post-graduation. I’m originally from Dayton, OH, but I also call Cocoa Beach, FL (where my parents live) and Atlanta, GA (where I went to college) home. I came to HGSE straight from undergrad at Emory in Atlanta, where I studied psychology and race & difference studies. When I’m not teaching or studying, I love to write, explore new places, and listen to music.
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