Dear College Student

Dear College Student,

You’re in the midst of a civil rights revolution, a pandemic, and an economic crisis. What a perfect storm to navigate through as you head into this year of college. My heart feels heavy for you. At the same time, I wonder how this most challenging moment will be the one that most defines who you’re on your way to becoming.

The fact that you’re still pressing forward with your education impresses me greatly. You have so much testing your mental toughness right now, especially if you identify as Black, Latinx, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or as part of any other minority group.

I want you to know that my classroom is a space where difference is welcomed and vulnerability is encouraged. I believe that when we share with others what makes us vulnerable, we grow and transform in powerful ways. As your teacher, I believe it’s my responsibility to model for you what that vulnerability looks like, so I’ll begin by sharing what makes me feel vulnerable right now:

   I feel ashamed when I think about the ways I wasn’t prepared to address racial issues in the classroom.

To be clear, I’m not saying that being white makes my situation more difficult in this cultural moment. Much to the contrary, I recognize my privilege as a white, cisgender female has made my path into education easier than yours. I’m revealing this vulnerability to you to fully disclose that I won’t always have the best response to every question about racism. I’m learning alongside you and from you, and I want you to know that I’m open to feedback.

And, to be frank, it’s worth acknowledging that most faculty are white, had their degrees conferred at predominantly white institutions, and/or were trained by professors who perpetuated teaching and learning principles that cater to white students. The onus is on us to relearn principles of teaching and learning that better serve all of our students, not just white straight ones. Having worked at four other universities prior to Texas Woman’s University, I feel confident saying that our institution tries in earnest to support students from multicultural backgrounds, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that we can do better than what we have done. We can and should do more to support our students who are in especially vulnerable and underserved populations.

I recognize that in order for you to feel comfortable sharing your vulnerabilities with me, there are actions I need to take to ensure your safety and comfort in our class. To that end, here are the commitments I’m making to our class right now, in writing, early on so I can be the educator you need me to be:

I will uphold the diversity statement on my syllabus.

I will assign texts written by non-white and LGBT writers.

I will not shy away from difficult conversations.

I will try not to assume you identify with a particular group of people.

I will never single you out by asking you to speak on behalf of a community.

I will try to not pacify negative emotions.

I will let you feel what you feel.

I will listen to what you feel.

I will validate what you feel.

I will support your self-expression through writing.

I will help you identify campus support resources when you need professional help I’m not qualified to provide.

And I will continue educating myself on how to be an anti-racist educator because I am never finished learning what I can do to be a better ally to you.

We don’t know each other yet, but I hope I can earn your trust. Your transformative learning experience is my top priority this semester.

When we meet in the fall, I hope the world feels a little kinder and safer than it does now. Until then, take care and take heart.

Dr. Jackie Hoermann-Elliott

Jackie Hoermann-Elliott is a senior lecturer and the Assistant Director of First Year Composition at Texas Women’s University. She wrote for newspapers and magazines around the Midwest before settling down in the Lone Star State. Since she moved here in 2013, she’s written for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Indulge, K Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and GuideLive. For fun, she cheers on her husband, Billy Ryan High School coach Buck Elliott, practices yoga poses with her amazing bonus daughter, “E,” runs after toddler “B the First,” and teaches at Texas Woman’s University with baby “B the Second” hanging onto her every word.