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Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award Recipient: Kathy Yang, L&T'09

Kathy YangBronx, N.Y., native Kathy Yang, Ed.M.'09, thought HGSE would help transition her from teaching elementary English as Second Language to working with immigrant adolescents and their families in a nonprofit. However, after a year of taking classes that focused on urban education, immigration, and community partnerships, she plans to stay in teaching.

"Along with the many students who have recognized Kathy's intellectual contributions to the HGSE community, the Learning and Teaching Program (L&T) is deeply indebted to Kathy Yang," says Professor Sally Schwager, director of the L&T Program. "Through selfless work on behalf of the program, Kathy has shared not only her passionate intellectual commitments, but also a generosity of spirit with her colleagues at HGSE. I am deeply pleased that she has been honored with this appropriate and well-deserved award."

Following commencement, Yang will return to the classroom in either New York or Boston where she can continue her focus on underserved communities. "The dream and vision is to extend the empowerment of students in the classroom to the local community," she says.

Upon learning that she had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for L&T, she answered some questions about her time at the Ed School.

What was your favorite class and why?
[A] hard question. I have two: the first is The Why, What, and How of School, Family, and Community Partnerships with [Lecturer Karen] Mapp. Her class solidified many thoughts I had had with regard to incorporating parents and community members to the school environment in meaningful ways for real substantial community change. The second is [Lecturer Janice] Jackson's class, Curriculum Controversies. This was the first and, sadly, only class where we talked about critical pedogogy, critical race theory, and the multiple controversies in education. Our conversations did not end with verbal reflection, but rather she provided a space to develop a genuine community of learners where we could learn from each other and have the difficult conversations that often impede a unifying understanding about the purpose of education and how to provide an excellent education for all students.

What is something that you learned at HGSE that you will take with you throughout your career in education?
Two words/phrases: "Social capital" and "institutional change." Too often, as a society, we look at poor communities and academically struggling students as deficits. And in the process of "saving" them, society perpetuates racism, ethnocentrism, and the marginalization of such communities. First, especially educators need to realize and utilize the unique and important capital students and their families bring to schools. Second, there needs to be explicit efforts to develop students' social capital within and beyond their communities. However, it is not enough to develop relationships, there needs to be institutional change so that such efforts and movements towards democracy are met.

How did you stay inspired throughout the year?
There were three groups of people that kept me inspired. First, the students whom I had worked with in the past and those I will meet in the future were the driving force for me to develop as an educator. Second, my close friends reminded me daily of our purpose to continue improving education for all students. "Thank you" is not sufficient a word, and I dedicate this award fully to them for having my back through and through. Last, but not least, I was driven by remembering how hard my family had worked so that I could be here.

If you could change one thing about education today, what would it be and why?
I would emphasize that all educators should be prepared to teach utilizing a critical pedagogy. True community and school reform cannot take place without allowing all students to realize their individual and collective potential to bring about that change. However, critical pedagogy is not simply a tool to be used in the classroom. As educators, we need to constantly reflect on our collaborative work to truly empower our children.

If you could transport one person/place/thing in Harvard Square to your next destination, what would it be?
I will miss the plethora of resources that were right at my fingertips. And, I will greatly miss the community of friend and learners.

 

2009 Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award Recipients

Suzannah Holsenbeck, TEP

Elisha Brookover, L&L'09

Mangala Nanda, IEP'09

Andrew Cabot, SS'09

Nancy Schoolcraft, MBE'09

Joe Baker, EPM'09

Kathy Yang, L&T'09

Angelica Brisk, AIE'09

Melissa Mayes, R&P'09

Jerome "Jay" Green, HDP'09

Ashton Wheeler Clemmmons, SLP'09

Terri-Nicole Singleton, TIE'09

Emily Almas, HE'09

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