My Philosophy
I believe college is a time for students to grow in all aspects of their life, but especially in the areas of their faith and worldview, morals and ethics, and racial and ethnic identity. In these areas, I want to help students grow into more of who they can be, pressing them to reach their full potential. I want to be supportive throughout this developing process; helping students cope with the deeper sides of themselves they may not have processed or known before (Parks, 2000).
With faith and worldview, I want to help students grow to possess the capability of living in paradox (Fowler, 1981). I want to help students hold opposing viewpoints in their mind, to consider the validity of each, and be able to dwell with the resolution that both are seemingly true yet contradictory. With morals and ethics, I want to help students clearly define their beliefs on their own terms, separate from the influence of groups or specific people (Kohlberg, 1971). Students need their own space to process what they believe. I also want to help students further understand their roles in a pluralistic world (Perry, 1968). I want to help them shape their identity into one that flows with who they are and one that knows its place at society’s table. Lastly, I want to help all students, including racial and ethnic minorities, feel their worth (Sue and Sue, 1990) and I want to help all students, including white students, to work toward developing a multicultural outlook (Ortiz & Rhoads, 2000).
With faith and worldview, I want to help students grow to possess the capability of living in paradox (Fowler, 1981). I want to help students hold opposing viewpoints in their mind, to consider the validity of each, and be able to dwell with the resolution that both are seemingly true yet contradictory. With morals and ethics, I want to help students clearly define their beliefs on their own terms, separate from the influence of groups or specific people (Kohlberg, 1971). Students need their own space to process what they believe. I also want to help students further understand their roles in a pluralistic world (Perry, 1968). I want to help them shape their identity into one that flows with who they are and one that knows its place at society’s table. Lastly, I want to help all students, including racial and ethnic minorities, feel their worth (Sue and Sue, 1990) and I want to help all students, including white students, to work toward developing a multicultural outlook (Ortiz & Rhoads, 2000).