Research & Future Projects

 

About

My academic work is focused on developing pedagogies that confront the carceral nature of the educational space. Centering the practices of Black rhetors and literacy workers in the mid-20th century is important to the development of this work as well, as these teachers made significant contributions to what we understand now to be critical pedagogy. My research necessarily informs my teaching practice and vice-versa. The synergy of this dynamic inspires me to continue thoughtfully contributing to both endeavors and serves as a reminder that we can, as scholars, truly merge both theory and practice.

Lateral pedagogy

In my research, I explore how we as instructors, scholars, and educators can acknowledge the contributions of Black rhetors and teachers by continuing to develop supportive pedagogies that allow students to contribute to the life of the classroom in expansive ways. My future research specifically aims to examine how the literacy work of organizers and educators inform social justice pedagogies that are relevant to the academy and beyond. One of my short-term research goals is to develop a monograph on how Ella Baker’s theory of organizing can inspire political and scholastic pedagogies rooted in care and rhizomatic leadership.

Recent Writing

 
 

Teaching

My major interest as an instructor is rooted in examining the conditions we create in the classroom space—how we make room for our students as learners and creators and how we might actively move away from correctional pedagogical imperatives that often embed themselves in our learning communities. I often incorporate ritual-work and reflective activities in the classroom to assess and examine how we, students, writers and teachers, are showing up and what we are in the midst of developing as producers of knowledge.