Hello, Everyone. I am currently one of the two stewards for Unit 6, and I teach Critical Reading and Writing in the International Foundations Program at New College. My educational and professional background is in English Literature, Writing, English for Academic Purposes, and Gender Studies, with a 20-year-long resume of mostly precarious contract gigs at colleges, universities, writing centres, and newspapers throughout North America. (My non-professional background is in attending gay marriage protests and verbally confronting hateful people.)
I started my work for Unit 6 as a Bargaining Support Team member and was responsible for writing and disseminating important bargaining announcements to other members via social media.
I later joined the Bargaining Committee and fought alongside my fellow members to not only gain more permanent employment for Unit 6 members, but to form the Joint Curriculum Committee for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. This is a committee made up of IFP instructors and faculty and administrators from other areas of New College with a mission of making specific recommendations to more fully integrate EDI concepts into our curriculum.
As a member of the JCC, I try to bring diplomacy and tact to heated discussions about how our program can best address EDI integration. There is a time and place for crucial confrontation, and as a queer person, my experience is that there can be no “neutral ground” when it comes to issues affecting people’s access, well-being, and livelihood. However, I do think incorporating EDI is a learning process, and I firmly believe all voices need to be fully heard when it comes to educating ourselves, asking respectful questions, and working toward practical solutions.
To that end, I would welcome the opportunity to serve as Equity Officer and help ensure all access needs are met during meetings and conversations. Thank you for your consideration.
No conflicts to disclose.