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DL: Black Gen Zers report higher levels of optimism and fulfillment than their peers. Do you see that reflected in your own life? What experiences or influences have shaped your outlook?
ES: As far as my own personal optimism and how it relates to the research, I am very optimistic about my future. The biggest piece of advice I got right before I went away for college was to say yes to everything, and to do everything, and that closed mouths don’t get fed. So I came into college knowing that I have to find things to do. I have to go out and talk to people. I have to ask them questions. I have to put myself out there, obviously socially, but also when it comes to academics. I think every job or internship I’ve had throughout my four years has 100% shaped what I want to do.
The more opportunities I got, the closer I got to understanding what I wanted. I had a very clear view of what I wanted to do since maybe freshman or sophomore year. And then it was a matter of working backward. Having that very clear image of what I can see myself doing in the future, and understanding how that matters when it comes to education and students – like understanding my why, my purpose behind it – makes me very confident in everything that I’m working towards.
DL: I agree. If you asked me this question a few years ago, I probably would be nowhere near as optimistic as I am today, just because I think the opportunities make the optimism. And that’s a very important part to play. So, if you’re not really doing much in college, you’re not really optimistic about your future.
ES: Once you start to see the fruits of your labor pay off throughout undergrad, it definitely makes you more excited for everything that you’re working towards.
DL: What are some common misconceptions you have encountered about Black students and success? How have these perceptions impacted you or those around you?
ES: I would say that people assume that there’s one right answer when it comes to not only Black students succeeding but also the path to get there.
Within my research, I’m looking at factors that affect students’ mobility access and achievement. And when presenting this research, I get a lot of folks asking, well, “what are we going to do about it,” or “what do you suggest we do?” And I have to always reiterate that there is no one right answer. There’s no one right career path. There’s no one right path for anyone. It’s not just about advocating for college or careers or even emphasizing certain things so much. It’s about supporting students in their individual journey.
DL: My parents raised me that you go to school, you get your degree, and then you don’t stop after four years. There’s no stopping in my family. You need to go get that master’s degree, too, just so you can make yourself more credible.
There are other ways to be successful, especially now in today’s day and age. A lot of people use digital media, a lot of people go to school, and a lot of people get different certifications – so there are different ways to become successful.
DL: Research shows students thrive with passionate, engaging teaching…
I have my mentors here at IU Indianapolis, and I think that they’ve really helped me… I walked into my first education program and I was one of two Black students and the only Black male. And that first day, I was like, “I’m out.” I didn’t know what to think. I walked in and I was like 12, 13 minutes early, but all the white students were already sitting down and I was like, “Wow, I don’t belong here.” So having those mentors kind of push you and say, “Hey, no, you’re in the right space,” really helped me because four years later, I’m still in education.
I still remember switching my major to journalism. I already had a mock schedule, and I wanted to switch it so badly. But my mentors and my teachers have reassured me multiple times that, “hey, you are in the right field. Hey, they need Black teachers in higher education, in K through 12 – it doesn’t matter – just in education as a whole,” was really reaffirming to me. I can do this, I belong here, and I’m just as good as everyone else. And maybe, if not better, because having that confidence is really what you need to thrive and be successful.
DL: All right, this is our last question. If you could change one thing or implement one strategy to help students feel more engaged in the classroom, what would it be and why?
ES: I think the main thing that needs to be changed in education to improve student engagement would be the need for more one-on-one learning. I think students love and they need that one-on-one. Otherwise, it doesn’t seem very tailored to them if they’re not getting a bit of personalized support or, you know, explanation when it comes to certain topics.
DL: I’m in the classroom right now, and I have a rare situation because there are three adults in the classroom for two of my classes, at least. I tell my students all the time, “You’re going to be over me one day, even though it’s only 10 years. Y’all are going to be running the world. Y’all are going to be making these decisions,” even though they’re like 12 and 11-years-old. I’m trying to make sure that these students are learning and not just for the numbers, because the numbers don’t show the full picture. They don’t show that, “Hey, my student is in the classroom, but also he only eats twice a day at the school,” or “Hey, he’s been moved from house to house as well.” The data points don’t show the full story. They don’t show every individual student’s story and tell them, “I see you, and you see me.” When I’m building those close relationships, which I’ve been working on for the last month and a half, it really strengthens my connection with the students and teaching.
DL: Before we wrap up, any final thoughts on what we should take away from today’s discussion?
ES: I would emphasize the need for students to be guided and not directed – the need for students to be pushed towards what they want and not just told what they need to do. Looking at what students need, how students could be supported, and things of that nature.
DL: Guiding them in that direction and saying that there are multiple ways to get there and be successful is a key thing. Just because you have a strict household and parents saying, “This is the one way to be successful,” it’s been proven many times that education isn’t the only way to be successful. There are multiple ways to define student success within the student community, and whether they’re Black, whether they’re white, or Asian, every different ethnicity kind of has their own way of redefining success.
Erin, thank you for your time and I hope everyone has a good day.
