2017 Teaching Initiative Award Winner

Grace Kang, Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2015)
Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning

Teaching Philosophy

Meet the students where they are and collaboratively dissect the content that will impact their future thinking inside and outside the classroom walls.

My motivation to become a college professor comes from

My cultural background as an Asian-American with immigrant parents, the value of hard work, education, and a desire to invest in others. At a young age I participated in language brokering for my parents because English was not their first language and we often faced discrimination and racism. Because of my past experiences, I am proud to be an advocate for students of color that are often marginalized in wider society.

The three most valuable methods that I bring to my teaching practices are

Culturally relevant teaching

Co-construction of learning

Gradual release of responsibility

The most challenging aspect of teaching for me is

When students do not have open minds when we discuss critical issues.

photo of Grace Kang — “It’s important to be honest and vulnerable with your students. I try to create a classroom community where I am the first to express myself in a genuine and authentic manner.”