The Inquiry Oasis: A UArizona College of Education Podcast

Join us for Part 1 of 2 of Dean Berry's interview with Dr. Jameson D. Lopez. Dr. Lopez is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education's Educational Policy Studies and Practice program and is an enrolled member of the Quechan tribe located in Fort Yuma, California. Dive into Dr. Lopez's work as an Indigenous quantitative researcher whose research focuses on Indigenous students and Indigenous communities, particularly using large data sets to understand these notions of statistical erasure, understand the notions of Giving back, a native nation building. 

Mentioned in this episode are the following reports:
The Meriam Report (1928)
National Post Secondary Student Aid Study, (conducted every 3-4 years since 1987)

Mentioned in this episode are the following Indigenous researchers:
Dr. Django Paris, Professor of Culturally Sustaining Education at the University of Washington's College of Education.
Dr. K. Tsianina Lomawaima, retired professor of Indigenous studies (Arizona State University).

For more on Dr. JD Lopez's work: https://vimeo.com/372466640

Join Dean Robert Q. Berry and Executive Director of the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, Colin Waite, on their discussion about the Cooper Center's six decade long history in Tucson, AZ. The Cooper Center began in 1964 and celebrates its 60th year of providing Tucson K-12 students with hands-on environmental education experiences in Southern Arizona.

To celebrate, the Cooper Center is crowdfunding September - October 2024 with a goal of $60,000 to be raised, you can donate here. 

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony engages with Dr. Kristin Gunckel, a distinguished scholar in science education at the University of Arizona College of Education. The dialogue traverses the landscape of climate literacy, linking classroom pedagogy to community empowerment. Dr. Gunckel also walks us through her research on preparing elementary teachers for science education and the role this plays in cultivating informed citizens. The conversation delves into the synergies between scientific knowledge and social justice, particularly within the context of the Desert Southwest.

Topics Discussed

• Integrating Computational Thinking into Environmental Science
• The Role of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Education
• Environmental Science Literacy Beyond Climate: Water Systems and More
• Social Justice and Science: Interconnections and Implications
• University Collaborations: The Learning Progressions and Science 3 Project
• Preparing Teachers for Multifaceted Science Education Challenges
• Future Directions: Where Science Education Meets Community Needs

Recommend Books

• Evolution's Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People by Joan Roughgarden
• The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, we welcome Dr. Taucia González, an assistant professor of special education at the University of Arizona College of Education. Dr. González sheds light on her groundbreaking GANAS project, where high school students use testimonios as a narrative tool to critically reflect on systemic barriers in education. We explore how these narratives from bilingual, Latina/Latino/Latinx, and Hmong youths, with and without disabilities, challenge traditional pedagogies and contribute to a more inclusive educational landscape. Dr. González's insights underscore the importance of integrating cultural and linguistic diversity into educational systems to empower marginalized communities.

Topics Discussed:

• The GANAS Project: Empowering Bilingual Youths Through Testimonios
• Educational Inequities: Insights from Bilingual and Disabled Students
• The Intersection of Race, Language, and Disability in Education
• Testimonios: A Tool for Critical Reflection and Social Change
• Case Study Highlight: Diego's Educational Journey
•  Envisioning a Future of Inclusive and Affirming Educational Spaces

Resources:

• Sustaining Disabled Youth: Centering Disability and Assets Pedagogies - Edited by Federica Waitoller and Kathleen King Thorius
• Mentioned Scholars: Mariana Pacheco (UW Madison), Na Lor (Teachers College, Columbia), Joan Hong (University of Maryland, College Park), Kate Roberts (Doctoral candidate, UW Madison)

This episode of The Inquiry Oasis we dive into the REEDS (Research on Educational Equity and Diversity in STEM) Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona College of Education. Funded by a significant NSF grant, this initiative aims to reshape STEM education through research focused on creating inclusive and diverse learning environments. The episode features conversations with the first cohort of REEDS fellows - Drs. Abby Rocha, Sy Simms, Nicholas Witt, and Shakuntala Devi Gopal - who share their individual research projects, personal inspirations, and experiences in transitioning from graduate students to postdoctoral scholars. They reflect on the intersection of STEM, diversity, and education, and discuss how their work contributes to a more equitable academic landscape.

Topics Discussed:

• Cultivating Culturally Affirming Mathematics Curriculum
• Equitable STEM Access for Marginalized Learners
•  Institutional Diversity and Sense of Belonging
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Higher Education
• Challenges and Opportunities of Postdoctoral Transition
• Role of Personal and Professional Identities in Academic Research
• Impacts of Research on Policy and Practice in Higher Education

Recommended Books/Papers:

• Funds of Knowledge for Teaching: Using a Qualitative Approach to Connect Homes and Classrooms by Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, Deborah Neff, Norma Gonzalez
• The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky
• On Being Included, Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life by Sara Ahmed
• Reading and Writing the World with Mathematics: Toward a Pedagogy for Social Justice by Eric Gutstein 

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, we delve into the fascinating world of cognitive processes in education with Dr. Jonathan Tullis, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona College of Education. Dr. Tullis, a prominent figure in the Cognition and Memory in Education and Learning Lab, shares insights from his groundbreaking research on the interaction between memory and learning environments, with a special focus on "Remindings." We explore his NSF-funded CAREER grant and its implications for optimizing learning strategies, aligning them with our natural cognitive tendencies. Dr. Tullis’s work is a critical beacon in understanding how cognitive processes shape effective learning environments, contributing significantly to the field of educational psychology.

Topics Discussed:

• Journey to the Forefront: Dr. Tullis’s Path in Educational Psychology
• The CAMEL Lab: Pioneering Research in Cognition and Memory
• The Essence of 'Remindings': Transforming Educational Strategies
• Cognitive Environments and Learning: An Intersecting Realm
• Memory Optimization: Strategies for Effective Learning
• Unearthing Discoveries: Surprises in Cognitive Research
• Future Visions: Integrating Cognitive Principles in Education

Book Recommendation:

• Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning – by Peter Brown, Henry Roediger, Mark McDaniel

In this episode of The Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony speaks with Dr. Dawn Demps, exploring her remarkable journey from a high school dropout in Flint, Michigan, to becoming an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, College of Education. Dr. Demps shares her transformative experiences with educational policy and social justice, highlighting the pivotal role of TRIO programs and the impact of community support on her academic pursuits. She delves deep into the realms of Black Feminism, Critical Race Theory, and Community Cultural Wealth, illuminating their importance in challenging educational exclusion and shaping inclusive futures. Dr. Demps underscores the importance of storytelling in research, advocating for the inclusion of diverse narratives as valid data sources. Her vision for the future of K-12 education is one of freedom, community engagement, and inclusiveness. 

Topics Discussed:

• Educational Resilience and Personal Transformation: Exploring the transformative journey from high school dropout to academia.
• Intersection of Race, Policy, and Educational Leadership: Examining how these elements interplay in shaping educational landscapes.
• Empowerment through Black Feminism and Critical Race Theory: Delving into the impact of these frameworks on understanding and addressing educational inequities.
• The Significance of Community and Cultural Wealth in Education: Highlighting the role of community support and cultural knowledge in enriching educational experiences.
• Storytelling as a Powerful Tool in Academic Research: Discussing the importance of integrating personal narratives and community stories into scholarly work.
• Advocating for Inclusive and Community-Based Education Models: Envisioning a future of education that is inclusive, community-centered, and liberating.
• Scholarly Activism and Its Role in Transformative Educational Change: Emphasizing the importance of activism in academia for driving systemic change in education.

Resources:

• Journal of Negro Education: Blooming In the Shafts: A Black Mother Scholar’s Tale of Flipping Pandemic Precarity to Educational Possibility
• Derrick Bell: Brown V. Board of Education and the Interest Convergence Dilemma
• Brittney Cooper: Link to Resources
• Octavia Butler: Link to Resources

Book Recommendation:

• Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom – By Bell Hooks

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, Dr. Adai Tefera, an associate professor of special education at the University of Arizona's College of Education delves into her pivotal research on racial disparities in special education, examining the complex interplay of race, disability, language, and other social factors. We take a look at Dr. Tefera’s article she co-authored in the American Educational Research Journal - The Aftermath of Disproportionality Citations: Situating Disability-Race Intersections in Historical, Spatial, and Sociocultural Contexts, and explore the historical, socio-cultural, and spatial contexts shaping educational policies and their impact on students with disabilities. Dr. Tefera's insights illuminate the urgent need for transformative changes in educational equity and policy-making.

Topics Discussed:

• Navigating Intersections: Race and Disability in Education
• A Deeper Look: Disproportionality in Special Education
• Methodological Insights: Uncovering Systemic Inequities
• Breaking New Ground: Key Findings from Dr. Tefera's Research
• The Construct of Defectcraft: Rethinking Disability and Race
• Unveiling Histories: The Impact of Past Policies on Present Practices
• Shaping Futures: Implications for Education in Diverse Communities

Resources:

• Disability and Difference in Global Contexts: Enabling a Transformative Body Politic – by Nirmala Ervelles
• Toward an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Educational Equity and Difference: The Case of the Racialization of Ability - By Alfredo Artiles

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony talks with Dr. Ji Hong a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona's College of Education. The central theme centers around Dr. Hong's research on multiple marginalized and underrepresented teachers. We explore the challenges these teachers confront, emphasizing the role of intersectional identities in shaping both their personal and professional experiences. Dr. Hong underscores the necessity of qualitative research methodologies in capturing the depth and nuance of these lived experiences. By doing so, she argues for a reevaluation of educational systems to better support and understand marginalized teachers. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Significance of Identity: Understanding the experiences of multiple marginalized and underrepresented teachers.
• Methodological Choices: The role of qualitative research in capturing complex lived experiences.
• Intersectionality: How intersecting identities complicate the challenges faced by marginalized teachers.
• Educational Systems: Critiquing current practices and policies that perpetuate inequality and marginalization.
• Personal Narratives: Dr. Hong's journey into this line of research and its relevance.
• Real-world Implications: The direct effects of teacher marginalization on educational quality and student well-being.
• Future Directions: Dr. Hong's vision for a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.

Recommended Paper

Can educational psychology be harnessed to make changes for the greater good? By Francesca Lopez

Other Resources:

Wellbeing under threat: Multiply marginalized and underrepresented teachers’ intersecting identities by Ji Hong and Dionne Cross Francis

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Inquiry Oasis as we delve into the inspiring work of Dr. Iliana Reyes at the University of Arizona, College of Education. Dr. Reyes takes us through her vital role at the Borderlands Education Center, an initiative strengthened by a recent Department of Education grant. Her rich dialogues with children, pre-service teachers, and community stakeholders shed light on the multifaceted nature of education, from fostering inclusive experiences to enhancing local and global perspectives. This episode is a compelling exploration of the intersections of education, community connection, innovative teaching practices, and cultural understanding – an essential listen for those committed to a more engaged and reflective educational landscape.

Topics Discussed:

• University of Arizona's status as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
• Project ADALANTE and The Borderlands Education Center
• Interaction between pre-service teachers and young children's theories
• The role of educators in translating knowledge into practice
• Responsive teaching strategies for specific students and community needs
• International initiatives and the value of diverse local community experiences
• The 25th anniversary of the influential book "Funds of Knowledge"

 Recommended Book:

Funds of Knowledge: Theorizing Practices in Households, Communities, and Classrooms by Norma Gonzalez, Luis Moll, and Kathy Amanti