Inclusive Pedagogies: Celebrating International Women's Day

March 08, 2024

Melisa Small-Cooke,
Master's student, Educational Psychology

In honour of International Women's Day, how have your cultural background and experiences as a woman shaped your research topics, methodologies, or findings?

My Jamaican cultural background and my experiences as a woman have played a significant role in shaping my teaching career. I can draw from my cultural awareness and experiences to create inclusive, engaging, and empowering learning environments that celebrate diversity, promote resilience, and inspire positive change within the communities I encounter. In the Jamaican culture, we value community, family, and respect for others, which I have integrated into my teaching methodologies by promoting inclusivity, collaboration, and acknowledging diverse perspectives. As a Jamaican woman, my resilience and determination help me overcome daily challenges to navigate the demands of teaching, fostering resourcefulness and building a strong commitment to my students’ success. Infusing creativity and cultural expressions like music, poetry, and storytelling into my methodology enhances students’ engagement, nurtures creativity, and enriches the learning experience.

During your academic journey, what is a pivotal moment or insight that deepened your understanding of gender equity or inspired a shift in your research focus?

A crucial moment in my academic journey was an incident shedding light on gender disparities among students, despite our comparable abilities. The incident prompted me, a Jamaican female student, to delve into the systemic factors creating gender gaps in education, such as subtle biases in classroom interactions and curriculum content. I also grasped how conventional gender expectations influenced teachers' outlooks and students' access to opportunities. Furthermore, I recognized the significance of intersectionality in comprehending gender equality, especially for marginalized female students, as elements like race, socio-economic status, disability, and cultural background intersect with gender to shape educational journeys and results.

Looking forward, how do you hope your research will influence or inspire other women scholars in your field, particularly those from diverse racial backgrounds?

My research aims to inspire and empower women scholars, particularly those from diverse racial backgrounds in my field, by tackling gender equity, intersectionality, and systemic factors impacting educational results. I aim to prompt women scholars to delve into related subjects, amplify marginalized perspectives, and cultivate a supportive environment for exchanging research and ideas. By championing inclusivity and diversity, I hope to embolden women scholars to pursue their academic passions, overcome obstacles, and make substantial contributions to their fields, catalyzing positive transformations and enabling them to leave a lasting impression in academia and beyond.

Bio

Melisa Small-Cooke is an SD42 elementary school teacher enrolled as a master’s student in the SFU Faculty of Education’s Educational Psychology program. Her research interests include social and emotional learning, effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in students, culturally responsive teaching in the classroom, and school culture as it relates to student achievement. Her graduate research focuses on the impact of parental involvement in students’ education and well-being.

Bahar Zandrazavi,
PhD student, Educational Technology and Learning Design

In honour of International Women’s Day, how have your cultural background and experiences as a woman shaped your research topics, methodologies, or findings?

Growing up in Iran and experiencing life as a woman have profoundly influenced my research direction, methodologies, and findings. My journey began years ago as a social activist advocating for the educational rights of Afghan immigrant girls deprived of formal education in Iran. This experience ignited a passion for understanding the transformative power of literacy, particularly for young women, and its potential for shaping lives and societies. I believe that young women’s literacy can change many things—not only in their lives but also in the region. As an anti-oppression researcher, I have reshaped my approach to believe in what Potts and Brown (2015) suggest: that research can be used not only to suppress ideas, people, and justice but also to respect, empower, and liberate. They emphasize that good intentions are never enough.  My experience and background in communication guided me toward hope in technology and education in the digitization era.  However, I have also realized that women, especially women of colour, often do not have a voice in shaping the development of these technologies or determining how they are used to address societal needs. I am beginning my journey and want to investigate the potential of digitalization for female stakeholders.

During your academic journey, what is a pivotal moment or insight that deepened your understanding of gender equity or inspired a shift in your research focus?

I've always known that my grandmother, who now suffers from dementia, dreamed that I would have an independent social and economic position, separate from male members of the family, while also encouraging me to be myself and have a positive impact on my surroundings. Truly comprehending this dream was a pivotal moment in my academic journey that ignited a profound shift in my perspective and aspirations, leading me to pursue a PhD at Simon Fraser University. My grandmother used to say, “Don't let others dictate your life.” Embracing my feminist beliefs, I understood I had a responsibility to advocate for change, not just for my benefit but for the benefit of others and my surroundings. This realization propelled me to embark on a new journey of becoming an empowered version of myself, equipped to effect positive change.

Looking forward, how do you hope your research will influence or inspire other women scholars in your field, particularly those from diverse racial backgrounds?

My research aims to have a meaningful impact on other women scholars and female activists, especially those from diverse racial backgrounds. I want to empower women working in grassroots organizations, particularly in my region, and non-profits worldwide. I believe many of these organizations will benefit greatly from utilizing technology to enhance the efficiency of their services. However, they often lack access to resources and support. I hope my research can help pave the way for them to leverage technology more effectively, thus empowering them in their endeavours.

Bio

Bahar Zandrazavi is a PhD candidate in the SFU Faculty of Education’s Educational Technology and Learning Design program. Her research interests include digital Literacy, migration studies, grassroots movement, and community-based development. Before coming to Canada, she completed a PhD in communication, focusing on participatory stakeholder management in water crises, and worked as a freelance journalist and social activist. For this second PhD thesis, she wants to investigate the potential of digitalization for female stakeholders in grassroots organizations.

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References:

Potts, K. L., & Brown, L. (2015). Becoming an anti-oppressive researcher. In S. Strega & L. Brown (eds.), Research as resistance: Critical, Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches, 2nd Edition (pp. 17-41). Canadian Scholars’ Press.