Graduate Workshops Highlight: Zotero & Reimagining Immigrant Education
As a graduate student at Tufts University, I have had the privilege of attending several enriching seminars and workshops (School of Engineering workshops detailed here) that have significantly contributed to my academic journey. Two of the events I have attended stand out for their impact on my growth as a student and educator.
The first of these was a workshop hosted by Tisch Library, focusing on the versatile research tool, Zotero. In this session, I discovered that Zotero serves as a valuable "personal research assistant," streamlining the often challenging task of managing bibliographic data. The workshop provided insights into the various capabilities of Zotero, demonstrating how it can be employed to collect and store bibliographic information, organize PDFs and reading notes, and even automatically generate citations and compile bibliographies in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Mastering Zotero has proven to be extremely useful in navigating my class readings. The ability to efficiently manage references and citations has saved me valuable time in sorting through relevant readings for assignments and has allowed me to keep these readings as references for future study. This newfound skill is undoubtedly one that will continue to benefit me throughout my academic and professional career.
The second impactful event was a thought-provoking talk titled "Making Americans: Reimagining Immigrant Education." Given my interest in working in the education field and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, this talk resonated deeply with me. The speaker, Jessica Lander, delved into crucial questions surrounding immigrant education in America.
"Making Americans" explored the contemporary landscape of immigrant education and addressed how educators, policymakers, and school systems can foster a sense of belonging in newcomers and help immigrant students forge their American identities. Jessica Lander's comprehensive examination of immigrant education, as presented in her book, highlighted key historical moments, court decisions, and ongoing experiments aimed at improving the educational experience for immigrants.
I was excited to attend a talk directly related to my career aspirations in the education field. It not only deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant students but also inspired me to explore innovative ways to create inclusive and supportive learning environments. By sharing inspiring stories of students' immigrant journeys and their efforts to shape their American identities, the talk instilled in me a renewed commitment to advocating for diverse and equitable education opportunities.
I appreciate and recognize the unique privilege that graduate students have with the wide array of workshops, seminars, and lectures that are facilitated and hosted at Tufts. They have equipped me with practical skills and a broader perspective on education, reaffirming my passion for making a positive impact in the lives of students from all walks of life. These experiences have not only enhanced my knowledge base but have also fueled my dedication to contributing meaningfully to the field of education.