Due to the cancellation of the 2020 AERA Annual Meeting, award winners from this year were recognized during the 2021 AERA Division K Annual Meeting. The interviews below highlight the success of two 2020 Career Award winners: Dr. Gholdy Muhammad and Dr. Cheryl Matias . Read on to learn more about these intelligent women, their current research endeavors, and their advice for graduate students and new professors. Dr. Gholdy Muhammad 2020 AERA Division K Early-Career Award During the AERA 2021 Virtual Conference, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad received the 2020 AERA Early-Career Award during the Division K business virtual meeting. While, Dr. Muhammad introduced herself during the meeting and graciously accepted the award, AERA Division K’s GSEB invited her to share a little more about herself for this blog post. Dr. Muhammad’s award-winning work exemplifies her dedication to literacy development and writing practices in Black communities. In 2020, she released her first book Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. When describing the individuals who have most influenced her journey, Dr. Muhammad refers to her two mothers. For her, these women have modeled the importance of keeping Islam first and following the footsteps of their excellent ancestors. She explains that Islam especially has been the center of her progress and success. Her faith keeps her lifted while centering her thinking and understanding about literacy, education and anti-oppression. Some of the challenges Dr. Muhammad has faced thus far are anti-Black racism and folks not supporting her work until she sold copies of her book. She combatted these hardships by seeking advisement and mentorship from other Black women and by keeping detailed time-stamp records of all racism she’s experienced to submit to folks in the chance they try to interrupt her work. Finally, Dr. Muhammad has always held firm to believing in her own work. Moving forward, Dr. Muhammad is penning her second book which focuses on curriculum design and development. She is also supporting schools who have adopted her culturally and historically responsive model for pedagogy. For graduate students and new professors, Dr. Muhammad offers three pieces of advice. First, stay true to your real purpose- to serve youth and to better education and communities. Next, seek the proper village of brothers and sisters who will lift and support you in this work. Last, always believe in your work, even when others don't. If you would like to hear more from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, you can follow her on Instagram (@gholdy.m) and Twitter (@GholdyM). Dr. Cheryl Matias 2020 AERA Division K Mid-Career Award During the AERA 2021 Virtual Conference, Dr. Cheryl Matias received the 2020 AERA Mid-Career Award during the Division K business virtual meeting. Dr. Matias introduced her three children to the audience during her acceptance speech, and the “motherscholar”—a term that stems from Zeus Leonardo’s concept of raceclass—gave thanks for her award and the gift of her children. AERA Division K’s GSEB invited Dr. Matias to share a little more about herself for this blog post. Dr. Matias’ award-winning work exemplifies her dedication to uncovering Whiteness in education. In 2021, the “motherscholar” added to her substantial repertoire, a third book, Critical Theoretical Research Methods in Education. This book complements her other titles, Feeling White: Whiteness, Emotionality, and Education and Surviving Becky(s): Pedagogies for Deconstructing Whiteness and Gender. Dr. Matias admits that being a woman, and a woman of Color, means that certain obstacles are guaranteed to create challenges. She offers an empowering perspective towards life's roadblocks; Dr. Matias says, “Obstacles are not for overcoming. Rather, they are a reminder for perseverance: Refuse to give up!” Dr. Matias has been influenced by Zeus Leonardo, Charles Mills, and Christine Sleeter because of their work and the people they are—prolific scholars and amazing human beings. For graduate students and new professors, Dr. Matias offers this advice: remember that you possess intrinsic value. She suggests you relinquish the need for external validation as you research and work. Instead, she encourages you to center what you are doing according to personal high standards, and not let others’ negativity dissuade you from your goals nor allow positive accolades motivate you. When Dr. Matias is not working, she can be found doing yoga, performing as a Bachata ballroom dancer, or enjoying a Lakers game (she’s quite the fan). You can find Dr. Cheryl Matias on her website http://www.cherylmatias.com. |
AuthorsThis blog is published and updated collaboratively by various members of the Division K Graduate Student Executive Board and its affiliates. Archives
October 2021
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