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Erika Starzynski, Ed.D., is a 2024 graduate of the Ed.D. program in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University.

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Dr. Erika Meers Starzynsk

Dissertation Committee:

  • Y. Falami Devoe, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Stephen Brookfield, PhD, Committee Member
  • Joaquin Muñoz, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

BITOC flourishing, poetic inquiry, healing, agency, counter-narratives, poetry, narrative inquiry, private/independent schools, teachers of Color, critical race theory

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

The teaching profession has historically been defined by an “overwhelming presence of whiteness” (Sleeter, 2001, p. 101), leading to experiences from Black, Indigenous and Teachers of Color (BITOC) often being neglected and undervalued. This action-oriented research project employed poetic inquiry techniques to capture the full experiences of BITOC participants speaking their stories in their voices through poetry. The centering of BITOC experiences is crucial to shifting the paradigm from mere survival and retention towards what aspects of the BITOC experiences support them to flourish and thrive in private/independent schools. This study examined poetry as a generative practice for building community, healing, self-reflection, and providing affirmations for BITOC in their independent school settings. Critical race theory (CRT) served as the theoretical framework of this study, specifically the centering of the counter-narratives of BITOC. Their stories are centered and amplified as integral sources of knowledge and experience, while exploring an embodied and generative practice to support their thriving. This study seeks to contribute towards an equitable and inclusive teaching profession which embraces and acknowledges BITOC experiences. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https:// etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID: 0009-0001-0258-4877

Bio:

Dr. Erika Meers Starzynski is a secondary school educator and student support teacher. She is passionate about creating schooling environments that center the thriving of Black, Indigenous, Teachers and Students of Color.

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