Educator stories sought

Etta Kralovec.

By Rob Levin

A new research project by former COA education program director (1989-2001) Etta Kralovec seeks to explore the stories of alumnx educators. 

As a teacher educator, the question of how a COA education shapes the development of future educators has been central to Kralovec’s work since her time at the college. Uncovering their stories is the first step towards uncovering how COA has shaped a generation of educators.

“I know there are many alumnx out there who have become educators, both in formal and informal settings. Many of you have built new schools, led museums, been leaders in online learning, written curriculum, served on local school boards and have led public schools and districts,” Kralovec says. “I’d like to start a conversation with those of you who identify as educators. Hopefully, these conversations will be published in some form and will shape the direction of a larger piece of writing about the college.”   

Kralovec, who is professor emerita and the founder of the Borderlands Education Center at University of Arizona, has identified two questions that drive this inquiry. How were COA alumnx shaped as educators by the structure of courses at the college, the governance system, the advising system, internships, senior projects, and the human ecology essay?  Secondly, how have the progressive ideas that shaped the college shaped the next generation of educators and their classrooms and learning environments? Please consider reaching out, the more voices the better: endhomework@gmail.com