Research Spotlight: Ms. Zulema Williams
Q & A with Ms. Zulema Williams, Lecturer I in the Department of Teaching and Learning
What are your research interests and research achievements?
My research interests are in arts-based research, action research, teacher identity, science identity, and Latina science teacher identity. As an emerging scholar, I have a strong vision and persist in learning from others while gaining insight from my own research. There is a continuous need to grow and become aware of the implications taking place in education. For this reason, I attend and present at national and international conferences, attend workshops, as well as share some of the strategies being used in class with other faculty members. I am honored to have taken part in important peer-reviewed presentations at annual conferences such as the American Education Research Association, The National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, The American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies, The International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, STEM Education, The National Curriculum and Pedagogy Conference, as well as other state and local conferences which demonstrate my dedication to becoming a better prepared scholar in the realm of education and curriculum studies while being able to offer a better education to my students. Other research achievements pertain to publishing a chapter in a book:
Jewett, L.M., & Williams Z.M. (2018). Faraway Eyes: A Lived Curriculum of Daughter Care. Critical Intersections in Contemporary Curriculum and Pedagogy.
How does your work align with UTRGV’s and CEP’s strategic plans?
My work aligns to UTRGV’s and CEP’s strategic plans in many levels. For starters, I helped build a partnership with two Grade A Brownsville Independent School District schools; Egly Elementary and Pullam Elementary for two structured field courses. These two structured field courses pertain to EDCI 3331 and EDCI 3332. This bridge gave students the opportunity to not only observe their mentor teachers, but also attend faculty meetings as well as take part in building a strong rapport with school staff. As for the educational opportunities, I implemented arts-based approaches using pedagogical tools such as improvisation with my students to extend learning opportunities. I also referred to the recommendations by Branch ED Communities of Practice rehearsals aligned to the arts-based approaches mentioned. I have shared some of the current elementary strategies at faculty meetings used in EDCI 3332 Instructional Planning and Assessment. These strategies are all TTESS aligned and therefore shared with faculty members. As a lifelong learner, I have continuously been involved in presenting at international, national, state, and local conferences mentioned above. Significant contributions have been made when building research-based assessments to help our students. I helped create an important section, Part II of the Teacher Work Sample key assessment with my chair. This data analysis section has been used as the second section to the TWS from the EDCI 3336 ELA for Elementary course. As for evidence-based decision making, I can refer to the portals on Blackboard which have been very efficient for the structure and understanding of the courses that I am currently teaching. Our curriculum coordinators have done a superb job of designing and including important documents that are helpful for our coursework. These references have been useful and implemented in the courses being taught.
What are your current projects?
I recently presented on teacher identity and curriculum science elementary strategies at the 4th Annual STEM Education conference, which I plan to continue this research with my co-presenter. A second research project includes a particular arts-based approach that pertains to science, identity, and death. Some of my other current projects consist of defending my dissertation as well as participating in any upcoming projects that I can be included in. I am a strong team player and have much desire to work alongside with my peers to further my knowledge in the field as well as continue to help students be successful in education. As for future conferences, it is imperative to participate and learn from other scholars while thinking of ways to adhere to best teaching practices to provide a better education to my students.