Tell me about yourself:
I am the first-born daughter of two Chinese immigrants and the proud sister of my younger brother. Growing up in a small town in Southern California, I fell in love with reading, writing, and learning; there was something about the written word that just ignited my imagination and lifted my soul. As a teenager, some of my favorite authors and poets were (and still are) Wharton, Milton, Austen, Wordsworth, Angelou, Dickinson, Eliot, and Proust. My identity is deeply shaped by my Chinese roots, my passion for books, and my commitment to education.
What inspired you to get involved in education?
As the product of three generations of educators, I grew up with dinner conversations on pedagogy and education reform. It was also very important to my mother and my grandparents that at a young age, I was not only exposed to diverse viewpoints about teaching and learning, but also able to think critically about my own educational experiences. Taking Ed 190: Critical Issues in Education during my freshman year further exposed me to the transformative power and reach of education. A key takeaway was the extent by which learning environments shape micro and macro constructions of hierarchy, equity, difference, and democracy. I also had the privilege of taking this course under the tutelage of the late Professor John Hurst, a trailblazer in the world of education and one of my early mentors. John’s class helped me see the purpose of education as an exercise in democracy. John’s encouragement allowed me to have personal clarity and purpose. Shortly after my freshman year, I decided that advancing education would be my life’s work.
What was your most memorable experience at Harvard?
My most memorable experience was organizing and chairing the first annual “HGSE Thinks Big” Research Conference at Askwith Hall. My vision for the conference was two-fold: (1) to highlight the big ideas and most pressing challenges in education, and (2) to create faculty/student dialogue and collaboration around these ideas and challenges. Dr. James E. Ryan, Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Education, captured the spirit and scope of the conference in his opening statement: “The challenge of all of us at the Ed School is to improve education and in doing so, create a more just society. This demands big ideas and bold moves.” After Dr. Ryan’s opening remarks, six Harvard professors (Dr. Felipe Barrera-Osorio, Dr. Karen Brennan, Dr. Katherine K. Merseth, Dr. David H. Rose, Dr. Joseph Zolner, and Dr. Mitalene Fletcher) took to the stage to discuss their big idea. These big ideas covered a wide range of topics, including international education, computational learning models, K-12 teaching and learning, adult learning, and American higher-education. “HGSE Thinks Big” would have remained an idea if it were not for the support and guidance of Dr. Liz Thurston, Director of Student Affairs, and Kevin Boehm, Associate Director of Student Affairs. I am especially thankful for both of them for allowing me to dream big.
What did you do in the years after graduating from Harvard?
Upon graduation, I sought to gain both breadth and depth in the world of American K-12 education. To develop experience in the field, I became the lead teacher, department chair, and later, instructional coach for public schools in California and Massachusetts. To create further impact, I worked closely with district and school leadership on the strategy and vision for project-based learning at several California districts and independent schools. I’ve led professional development on data-driven instruction, differentiation, and assessment for 200+ teachers, principals, and leadership teams. In the past year and a half, I’ve transitioned from the role of practitioner to that of researcher.
What are you working on now?
One of the biggest challenges facing education leaders today is properly leveraging the power of technology to improve students’ academic and career outcomes. This is essential if we are to prepare our students for the demands of an increasingly digital, 21st century world. My current research explores this challenge through the intersection of organizational change, technology, and social justice. My dissertation focuses on the development of blended learning, a formal program that incorporates both online learning and traditional instruction. Specifically, I am interested in the role of the principal and the systems and structures necessary for building a blended learning school.
In addition to my research work, I am also this year’s Co-Chair of the Graduate Student Association in Education (GSAE) and the Student Representative on the UCLA Education Faculty Executive Committee (FEC). GSAE is responsible for event programing and student representation across the nine Education School divisions. The FEC advises the Dean on key administrative decisions, strategic plans, task groups, and budget proposals to the Chancellor’s office.
What advice do you have for other HGSE alumni?
Being a Harvard alum means that you are given incredible access: to talent, to resources, to opportunities. This is your privilege. And yet, with great privilege comes great responsibility. There is a saying that “to whom much is given, much is to be expected.” My advice to you is this: as you make your impact on the world, do not forget your responsibility to give back and pay it forward. Share your knowledge and your privilege so that others may benefit from them. After all, isn’t that what education is all about?
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” -Lilla Watson
Xianhui (Grace) Dong is a 2nd Year Doctoral Student in the Educational Leadership Program Division at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Manager of Curriculum and Implementation at Achieve3000. Grace is deeply committed to equitable outcomes for all students and her research explores the intersection of organizational change, technology, and social justice in education. Grace received her Master’s in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and her Bachelor’s with Distinction and Department Honors from The University of California, Berkeley.
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