Kareen Wilkinson, TEP'11: Inspiration from Children

During her time at the Ed School, Kareen Wilkinson only needed to think of the kids to keep her going. "They were the ones that inspired me to commit to education in the first place, so I will always keep them as inspiration in everything I do," she says.

A Boston transplant by way of Seattle, Wilkinson came to HGSE to further her own knowledge as a middle school science teacher. Along the way, she caught the attention of her Teacher Education Program (TEP) classmates and faculty.

"Kareen led her colleagues quietly yet powerfully in investigating the hard questions regarding the education of youth living in urban settings. She led by example, inviting others into meaningful, encouraging, yet challenging discussions about what it means to be an on-going student of teaching and of students' learning," says Lecturer Vicki Jacobs, acting director of TEP. "Described by her peers as thoughtful, hardworking, and passionate, Kareen relentlessly sought productive connections between theory and practice always with an eye on her students' growth."

Wilkinson plans to return to the classroom, teaching middle school science in Boston Public Schools this fall. Upon learning that she had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for TEP, Wilkinson answered some questions about her time at the Ed School.

What was your goal upon entering the Ed School? I was looking to complete a program that would equip me with the knowledge, skills and tools to be a successful middle school science teacher. Since my work prior to HGSE involved managing out school time programs at City Year Boston andScience Club for Girls (in Cambridge), I thought of it as taking a year to fully transition from the out of school time to the in-school time aspect of serving youth, where I felt I could make a larger and more lasting impact.

Is there any professor who significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? Professor Susan Moore Johnson. I got so much out of her Pursuing Teacher Quality class! I brought very little prior knowledge and research with me to the class so everything I learned was very new for me, and she is so incredibly knowledgeable on the issues that surround determining teacher quality. But also, because it was Professor Johnson who encouraged me to submit a research paper I did well on in class to the Student Research Conference - something I would have never considered doing had it not been for a professor's encouraging words and feedback. Seeing this ability in me really changed how I saw my own writing, and what I brought to HGSE. Presenting the paper at the conference was an amazing experience too which I will remember as a huge part of my time here.
What advice do you have for next year's students going through your program? To next year's cohort, I say take those classes that speak to you - even if you're the only TEP person in them like I was! Get over the shock and intimidation of Harvard by challenging yourself to speak within the first two days of your summer classes. Challenge your perspective! A quote I have kept close over the year is this: "The only way to change someone's perspective is to give them a new one." So be aware of when that new perspective, although it may be uncomfortable at first, is your ticket to seeing the world in a whole new way.

What will you change in education and why? I'm really committed to teaching science in a way that shows students that their culture and ancestral peoples have contributed to what we consider science today. Make it more hands-on and experiential with more opportunities for students to share what they have learned. I will try to make science a bonding experience so that you feel like you are on a team with a focus and mission of discovery, but through the process learn about yourself and each other.

What is your favorite place to get a slice of pizza in the Square? For those on a budget! The food court in the Harvard Science Center has some surprisingly good pizza. Really good toppings, and you can get two slices for under five bucks! Plus, show your ID and you save even more money.