Student Profiles

Dyan Watson, EPLIP

Q & A with Dyan Watson

Dyan Watson, a third year doctoral student, has been involved in the Urban Impact Project (UIP)- a group of student researchers that examines the impact of teacher traning and how this training mediates the experiences of new teachers in urban school settings. She has also served in the Black Student Organization and the AOCC (Alumni of Color Conference) Steering Committee, and has been a teaching fellow for four courses at HGSE.

What did you do before you came to the GSE?

I taught high school social studies for 6 years in Oregon.

Comments on the coursework?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my methods courses and feel that they have laid a solid foundation upon which to conduct research. One of the most outstanding courses I have taken here is Teaching Across Cultures. I feel it helped prepare me to teach similar courses when I become a professor. Specifically, I came away with content, great reading material, activities, and ways of approaching the struggle teachers have in exploring race in America as educators.

What is your research question?

My research interests revolve around the intersection of race and teaching. Currently I am conducting a study that examines the ways in which urban teachers' understandings of race mediate their choice in where to teach.

What is your career goal?

My goal is to be a professor of education, particularly in the field of teacher education and to continue to conduct research in the realm of teacher education.