How are we creating student centered learning environments and meeting the needs of all learners? Well at the University of Tennessee one professor is making news for doing just that.
According to an article in USA Today, Sally Hunter’s response to a student who was unable to find childcare for her daughter. To which the professor replied “In the future, if you are having trouble finding someone to watch Korbyn, feel free to just BRING HER with you to class,” Hunter wrote in the email. “I would be absolutely delighted to hold her while I teach, so that you can still pay attention to the class and take notes.”
https://amp-usatoday-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/amp.usatoday.com/story/426427001/
I was reminded that 17 years ago, I was a single mother struggling with childcare a full-time job, and going to school. The faculty at Texas A & M – Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) were understanding of my situation. When I contacted my faculty about my own issues finding child care, I was met with the same response “Bring her to class”. It made me wonder how often this issue arises and what can be done to assist single mothers who wish to pursue various educational pursuits.
Thank you to the faculty at TAMUCC who were the first faculty that my soon to be college freshman had the pleasure of learning from and with. I am forever grateful for you making an exception for me and her.
Whitney Kilgore, PhD