Teaching

Philosophy
RILEY J. JELENICK | HE/HIM
"Why I do what I do drives what I do."
How I Approach What I Do

Growth as a continuous process for the instructor and the

learner
Life Long Student
Challenging previous ideals through a variety of
perspectives/shift the lens to which we view the world
Shared dialogues and testimonies about lived experiences
Lessons Leave, Stories Stay
Setting the physical scene and environment with group norms to
follow and course objectives
Make myself available and approachable
Present as personable as possible through vulnerability,
representation, and transparency
The 3 pillars that guide my practice
Encouraging intentional reflection about one's sense of self,
belonging, and purpose
Validate one’s passion areas, interest, and drives
Continuously challenge, motivate, and empower students to
view the world through a critical lens
Showing enthusiasm in the course material
What Theories Guide What I Do

Abes, Jones, & McEwen- Multiple Dimensions of Identity

Meaning Making Filter
Schlossbergs- Mattering & Marginality
Importance of connection to others to feel seen & heard
Baxter-Magolda- Self-Authorship
Intra-/Interpersonal relations
Rendon- Validation Theory
Sense of Belong & Purpose
Greater Academic success
Crenshaw- Intersectionality
Awareness that social identities don't exist in silos, yet they
overlap and 'intersect' with one another
Critical Race Theory
Racial Equity Lens
How race, racism, and white supremacy interact with power
to create inequity & injustice
A quote that guides my practice:

“All of us in the academy and in the culture

as a whole are called to renew our minds if
we are to transform educational
institutions- and society- so that the way we
live, teach, and work can reflect our joy in
cultural diversity, our passion for justice,
and our love of freedom.”

- bell hooks