For weeks I have anticipated the sweet, sweet beginning of Winter Break. However, as we sat in class this past week reflecting upon the lessons we have learned, our hopes for the progression of theory, and things to keep in mind as we venture into the next phase of our Graduate school experience, I began to feel the bitter twinge familiarly associated with the nearing end of a chapter. [Note: I am still PUMPED for Break… but the feeling was there. (: ]
In a blog post assigned as part of our readings for the week, Dr. Nicolazzo’s (2013) dug right to the root of the dialogue we have exchanged throughout our time in the course. That although student development theories should be used in building a foundation of understanding, especially within Graduate programs, we need to be realistic about how it was created, who it was created for, and therefore its practicality. Dr. Nicolazzo further advises that we “take a break from student development theory… and, while we are on our break, we need to reconstruct courses that use critical, queer, and poststructural analyses to decolonize the way we have come to understand development” (Nicolazzo, 2013). Not only is this advice timely as we literally step away- or “take a break”- from the student development theory course, but as a reminder to be cautious in our interactions with students to not force prescribed developmental stages and outcomes upon them.
Shortly after reading Dr. Nicolazzo’s post, Daniel [yes, that is THE Daniel Tovar in our 1st year HESA cohort] sent me a link to Elizabeth Lesser’s (2016) TEDWomen talk titled Say Your Truths and Seek Them in Others. Although the themes in her presentation weren’t directly aimed at the application of student development theory, I saw inherently powerful similarities woven within her uncovering of human connection. She highlights that “as we grow, a lot of things happen to us that make us … want to hide our soulful eccentricities and authenticity” (Lesser, 2016). Lesser challenges viewers to recognize that growth is painful, unpredictable, and impacted by circumstance. Even further, she urges us to be bravely authentic with the people in our lives, say our truths, and then seek those truths in others (Lesser, 2016). In taking this on, we have to be open and curious about the things that we don’t know about both ourselves and the people we interact with.
Her words connect back to student development in the sense that there is no one way to prescribe the human experience. That uncovering your most authentic self is a painful process, but ultimately spawns authenticity in your interactions with others. Taking a break from theory and creating space for people to discover more holistic truths, makes room for less disingenuous forms of support and empathy. I can say that for me, this is the room I want to leave for my students as a practitioner.
As a cohort, we have only just begun to challenge one another to share our vulnerable truths in the pursuit of these genuine interactions. While we have made immense strides over the past 16 weeks, I can only imagine where we will go as we turn to the first page in a new chapter in the Spring!
Lesser, E. (2016). Say your truths and seek them in others. [TEDWomen Video] Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lesser_say_your_truths_and_seek_them_in_others?utm_source=tedcomshare&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tedspread
Nicolazzo, Z. (March 19, 2013). Taking a break from student development theory. Trans*Resilience Blog. Retrieved from: http://znicolazzo.weebly.com/trans-resilience-blog/taking-a-break-from-student-development-theory
Gabbing with Gabby 
Gabby,
I don’t get an opportunity to read all of the articles but every once in a while, one comes across a blog that I read that piques my interest. I am very big on getting the proper amount of rest and so your points and Nicolazzo’s (2013) article resonated heavily with me. Therefore, I definitely plan to read it over the break.
Lori did an excellent job of introducing us all to and walking us through critical theoretical perspectives that forced us to reexamine our own thinking. Many of us are wresting with these new ways of knowing but in the end, Nicolazzo is correct. We have to break away so that we can see the uniqueness in others while appreciating their culture and identities. Properly utilizing theory in student affairs is like dancing. We first learn the fundamentals and which one works best for us but once we get it, we have to put our own twist to it. You’re well on your way to that, Gabby.
Happy Holidays!!!
~Myron
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