COE Miners Attend Yale University’s 2018 PIER Institute
Photos Courtesy of Majd Sarah and Rocio Acevedo
By Timothy Cashman, Ph.D., Professor of Teacher Education
Five graduate students from the University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Education developed understandings of African and Middle Eastern religions through their engagement in Yale University’s PIER (Programs in International Education Resources) 2018 Summer Institute. Students from the Teaching, Learning, and Culture (TLC) Doctoral Program; Educational Leadership and Foundations (ELF) Doctoral Program; and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Program travelled to New Haven, Connecticut, to engage in a five-day institute. Scholars, researchers, policy advisers, field practitioners, and grassroots leaders from around the world led interactive sessions and workshops for educators from various parts of the United States during the institute held July 9-13, 2018.
Participants from the COE recently discussed their experiences at Yale as part of a question-and-answer session. Rebeca D’Antoni, Rocio Acevedo, Ricardo Acevedo, Majd Sarah, and Hans Duran applied for the summer institute and were among 30 educators chosen nationwide.
According to Rebeca D’Antoni the learning experiences were “unforgettable” and an opportunity to draw from the ideas of educators who represent other parts of the country and world. D’Antoni expressed her appreciation for professors and presenters who were accessible. Moreover, she established contacts with peers from various locations in the United States and looks forward to maintaining connections with her fellow educators.
Rocio Acevedo recounted her Yale PIER Institute participation as fulfilling her high expectations. Especially memorable were the opportunities to work with fellow UTEP students as well as the “human connections” established with fellow educators from diverse backgrounds. She reflected on how those same individuals were inquisitive and eager to learn from the UTEP participants’ educational backgrounds and professional experiences in the United States and Mexico borderlands.
Ricardo Acevedo stated he was highly appreciative of having the opportunity to participate in such a varied, high quality, and informative educational experience. At the same time he noted his realization that “we (as UTEP students) can compete; UTEP prepared us well.” Overall, he reported his immersion in the institute promoted an increased level of cultural sensitivity, and his experiences were an “eye-opener.” Ricardo recommended that UTEP students embrace similar opportunities to reaffirm and provide extra confidence.
In a like manner, Rebeca D’Antoni reflected on her decision to apply for Yale University’s PIER Institute. She now views this past summer’s academic engagement as a highlight of her professional development. D’Antoni also noted a sense of empowerment and now considers “the sky is the limit”.
As part of PIER, participants submitted their own curricular units based on the program content. Selected submissions have been published on the PIER website, https://pier.macmillan.yale.edu/, for the benefit other instructors.
Students thanked Charles Ambler, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School and a Yale alumnus, and Timothy G. Cashman, Ph.D., professor in the Teacher Education Department, for their efforts to secure UTEP’s PIER participation.
Margaret E. Marcotte, director of Outreach for the Councils on African and Middle East Studies in Yale’s MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, stated this year’s participants—Rebeca D’Antoni, Rocio Acevedo, Ricardo Acevedo, Majd Sarah, and Hans Duran—were part of a highly successful summer program. Marcotte offered, “I hope the students enjoyed their time here as much as we enjoyed them.”