Igniting Your Personal and Professional Growth

Describe one or two, specific learning experiences from your fellowship. In words, show us this experience and explain why it was powerful.

I learned the most as I ventured into the Sahara. By the last day of our excursion, the driver had already given me a gift of a caftan as part of his Eid preparations. Leaving the desert, we would pass through his ancestral village where there was a religious slaughter of sheep. I was invited to partake in the feast. Unfortunately, I am vegetarian for religious reasons. Over three hours, my driver and I figured out how he could enjoy the holiday with family while I could avoid eating meat.

What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn professionally?

I have deep well of empathy and kindness. Giving up was never an option. Pausing, giving space, practicing non-judgement helped me learn about culture, specifically Islamic culture. Making a beautiful and comfortable classroom matters. I'm drawn to water/engineering, city planning, architecture, and material science. It's crucial to consider context like natural and human history in science work I love learning. I'm curious. Getting out of my comfort zone, I grew.

What were some unplanned or unexpected experiences or outcomes of your fellowship? Or, how did the fellowship you crafted differ from the actual learning experience?

Seeing history unfold from Marrakech, Granada/Alhambra to Cordoba. I was tracking western civilization. Our mascot is Hercules not a moor. I had a moving insight into care and paying attention at Riad Fluer d'Orient in Marrakech. Insights into Islamic culture- Eid holiday, cooperation, and women's rights. Amazigh people offer hospitality and food/respite to all. Rhythms of life in the steppes and desert Learning contributed to my research into campus beautification and mental health.

Impacting Your Classroom, School and Community

Outline specific plans you have to implement your fellowship and reach your student goals.

I have power points now to demonstrate the process of site analysis and to explain climate adaptations in architecture and daily life. I shared examples in class and social media during a recent heat wave. Campus wide, our students will choose the theme of the next gardens. "What kind of beautiful?" I will garner campus buy in and engagement in campus beautification by having student vote between the Alhambra Palace and Majorelle Garden aesthetics. I plan a library exhibition of my work.

What is one way you can leverage your fellowship to create one authentic learning experience for students? (e.g. hands-on learning, projects, community engagement)

Adaptation is about paying attention and caring. I want students to have another perspective on climate adaptation. There can be a different tone; it can be subtle, small, and sweet. Our student have grown up in the new normal and asking them to work on a small scale can build up to large shifts. Students will explore, investigate and plan for climate adaptation in two units as we explore the intersections of architecture, city planning, gardens, and culture.

How, specifically, will your fellowship extend beyond your classroom? (e.g. families, school-at-large, afterschool groups, surrounding community, colleagues, etc.)

I'm sharing my knowledge about climate adaptation with students and families as well as utilizing my social media account to educate local decision makers and community leaders. I may have a photography exhibition on and off campus regarding of city's namesake the Alhambra Palace. I have evidence that our mascot as it appears is actually Hercules. Hercules is a ubiquitous figure in Spain and Morocco. Our teams are called the Moors. We'll see how this works out over the year.