Writing Tip: Show Your Scholarship

Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

Please write one paragraph providing your advice to a future EDUC 251 student. Any words of wisdom? Things to look out for? Please include any insights you feel comfortable sharing with your regard to your self-care practices this quarter: In particular, please feel free to share any advice you have for people who share any of your identities (for example: if you are a person of color, advice regarding self-care in this class for future students of color). These will be shared with next quarter's class! Get ready to take one of the most therapeutic classes ever. At first it might be a little hard to share your personal stories but as time progresses you will get more comfortable sharing stories about yourself. Looking at the reading list, it may seem overwhelming at first but they are worth reading. I found myself having many similarities with the readings and I am sure you will to. Get comfortable being vulnerable because that is what is going to make this class worth it. While I was writing my final paper I caught myself crying at times because I would be writing about horrible things that happened to me in my life. I am sure it might be hard for you too when writing your final paper but you will be doing yourself justice by releasing all the stress that your past holds on you. If there is any advice I could give you is sign up for your conference ASAP and stay after class or come before class to talk to TAs about any questions you have for your paper. While you read throughout the quarter take notes of what readings most resonate with you because you will end up needing them for your final paper. I would have ended up saving so much time if I would have done this but I didn’t. Good luck! And hope you have an amazing quarter! -AAC This class is a massive journey for those that choose to partake in it - what I mean by that is that you need to be willing to put in the effort to get what you want out of it. Bring what you are struggling with and try your best to open up as much as you can in order to question your beliefs and even find out more about these struggles you're going through. It may take some time to open up, but you should try and connect with the people around you. These connections will not only make it easier for you to open up, but will make opening up that much more profound. Take care of yourself and be sure to take a break when you need. This class has an impact of being overwhelming sometimes, if you don't take care of yourself, but enjoy the journey and take it step by step. You're not a machine, so don't treat yourself like one. I would also take advantage of Afnan, Kriya, and Jondou. They are so empowering and uplifting - they have profound stories of their own, but know how to make you feel like your stories have power. When you're upset or feeling down, reach out to them and tell them you're experiencing that and you'll find that they will be a wonderful support system for you. They make this course as impactful and amazing as it really is, so let them help you in your journey! Be safe and enjoy yourself! -AA My advice to you as an incoming student in this course is to be real. Take this class time and this quarter to learn with an open mind, get to know those around you, and grow. There are a ton of tough subjects but they will be handled with tact and respect, and I promise there are people in the classroom who can empathize with whatever you've gone through, so fear not. Despite the serious subject matter, the class is a lot of fun and an awesome opportunity to build community so take advantage! -JA

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

Welcome, EDUC 251 students! I’m so glad that you decided to embark on this journey. My favorite thing to do was keep a notebook of salient phrases or ideas (and attributions, of course) with an annotation about why it was meaningful to me. These notes have helped me get closer to answering the question, “what does justice look like for me, my relationships, and the world I inhabit?” I hope you have people that you can process your thoughts with outside of this class. I hope that you never forget that you’re an expert in your own story. I hope that you see every conversation as an opportunity to learn. You got this! -AA This is a class where you truly get out of it what you put it. I would recommend getting to know the people around you, learning your classmates names, and also learning to trust them. This is an extraordinarily unique class in that the curriculum is based on the stories that you share with each other, so the more you become comfortable with sharing your experiences with each other the more you will get from the class. Make sure to stay caught up on the readings and the Pre and Post Writes because it’s too easy to get behind but also super easy to stay on top of things if you are aware of your time and the outline and structure of the week. Jondou and the TA’s are really open and understanding, so if you are having a rough time with something, just make sure to be communicative with them so that you can work something out. This course, my classmates, and Jondou allowed me to find a passion in the subjects incorporated in SEED and I am grateful to have been a part of the experience. -RA Hey future Education 251 students! First off I really think you are going to love this course. It is going to challenge you in many different ways, and force you to see things from many different perspectives. What I loved so much about this course was that I was able to hear so many student’s stories, and get to see that I am not alone in a lot of my struggles. There are so many people out there going through similar things as you, or that come from a similar background. I challenge you be vulnerable and really dig deep in finding your stories. I guarantee you will find out more about yourself then you knew. For me I was able to see where I need to grow in my identity, and places that are pretty secure. There are going to be weeks that are harder than others, but use that as an opportunity to listen or learn more about what makes you uncomfortable. As a white female, the week on race and ethnicity was the hardest for me. If you are similar to me, I encourage you to ask yourself why this is hard for me, and what sorts of things can I do to change this. I hope you like this course, and this little paragraph was encouraging for the things to come. -KB This class is an opportunity to get justice for your identities and an opportunity for you to give justice for others. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s easy once you decide to fully immerse yourself. You won’t benefit anything from this class unless you dive deep into it. You get out of it what you put into it. Sharing personal stories may seem uncomfortable or hard, but Jondou and his TAs do an amazing job at creating a safe space to share. I made friendships in this class and have developed a great support system. I wish this class was a requirement for all majors. By the end of the quarter, you will not only recognize all of your classmates, but be able to know all of their names. One tip for success is to create a folder in google docs with all of your post

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

and save the resources you use in your weekly post. Being honest about yourself and your stories makes it easier to write about. -EB Trust the process. You might be thinking to yourself that writing roughly 1000 words a week is overwhelming. You might also be thinking that a 3000-word essay is way too much. However, do not let this dissuade you. By week nine, with all of the work you have done in class sharing stories, journaling, pre and post assignments that paper has written itself 3 or 4 times over. Lastly, be open to being vulnerable. This class touches on topics that can be heavy at times, but the more vulnerable you are, either through assignments or in class, the better this class will be for you and the more you will be able to take away. I am so glad I was able to take this class during my time here at the UW. As it was not only one of the best courses I have taken, but the most impactful to my education. I hope you will be able to say the same once you have completed this course. Best wishes – ZB Jondou will explain this class metaphorically as a hike. He explains how vulnerable the class will get, and he invites you to be open. I remember hearing this on the first day and thinking "oh my god, I'm gonna actually have to talk in this class". If you're like me, this is probably scary for you. Although, I have found that over the course of the past ten weeks, it became easier and easier for me to speak up. In this class, you will get vulnerable- yet you will also find your voice, you will recognize other identities that are not dominant. You will learn about people who are completely different from you. At the end of ten weeks, the classroom isn't really a classroom. It starts feeling like a community of people you know. My advice- PAY ATTENTION to the daily check ins. Learn your classmates names!!! Unfortunately, I know that there are about 4 people whose names I don't know, don't be like me!! -EB It’s hard to summarize this class into one small paragraph. My biggest piece of advice is to be open. Be open to waking up at 8:30 am (I promise you it’s worth it). Be open to being vulnerable in your writings, sharing with your partners, and if you are really open, sharing with the whole class. In this class, are getting what you are giving. It is easy to just do the work and not really think about the messages Jondou and all the readings are trying to convey, but then what’s the point? This you class is meant for people who are willing to be introspective about their experiences and listen to new perspectives (you don’t always have to agree). Before this quarter, I knew what my identities were, but I never questioned why they were. I learned what I need to do in order to be in just relationships with my peers, family, society, and myself. Don’t be afraid to question norms you have grown up with your whole life. Be vulnerable, be brave, and be yourself. -SB A word of advice for future students would be to fully emerge yourself into the class. You can learn a lot from this class and it's what you make of it. If you will learn a lot, about different types of people from varying backgrounds. You will learn a lot of different perspective and how people live their lives. The class will make you more well rounded and help you work on your communication skills. The biggest thing that helped me was writing down all my assignments for

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

the class so I didn't miss them. Another piece of advice would be to take all the Pre's and Post seriously they can seriously help you when you're writing your essay. -DB To the future students taking this class, this class will open your mind to new perspectives and give you appreciation for what you have and acknowledgement for others who don’t. I found myself relating to a lot of the stories we read throughout this class and seeing what you will soon learn to be as “windows and mirrors” with the authors and my classmates. I also found out that I disagreed with some of the stories as well, and as Jondou said “these readings aren’t always meant to be agreed with.” Our teacher doesn’t agree with them all! He encourages space to discuss. So don’t worry, do not get frustrated, but have an open mind. Let yourself see from others’ points of view and learn to be understanding and open. Throughout the ten weeks of this class, keep up with your pre’s and posts and speak up and share your opinions with the class while being mindful of the different background and cultures of your classmates. You’ll see amazing growth in yourself if you let yourself be immersed in the readings, videos, discussions, and stories of yourself and your classmates! -CC This class had the ability to change you tremendously. Personally, this is the best class I have taken at the University of Washington. This class has helped me find myself, my identity, what I’m passionate about, and how I can use my new-found knowledge to truly make an impact in the future. In order to feel that effect, you have to put in the work and force yourself out of your comfort zone. I know that in the beginning it can be intimidating to open up to strangers and show your vulnerability, but I encourage you to open up and make new friends in your class. Not only will you make connections with your peers, but it will also make you more aware of how our society functions. Some of the readings can be challenging, but I strongly recommend to continue reading even if you don’t agree. Listening to conflicting opinions can be beneficial. All in all, I strongly encourage you to put your heart into this class, because it will give back to you in monumental ways. Best of luck to you! -MC First off, I believe that everyone at the UW should take this class because you will hear about so many different stories, identities, and perspectives. I will make some close friends in this class and if you feel comfortable enough, I suggest to you to share personal stories because your story matters. This was a safe place for me, and I felt open to share anything that I wanted to talk about. Jondou mentioned to us a few times that my class was the quietest one of all, so I suggest your class to just share whatever is on your mind because no matter what you say, it can’t be wrong, you’ll be adding to class discussion, and not waste time. Also, I suggest you save all of your writing, I took notes every day because I’m forgetful and it helped me write my final paper because I wrote down whatever I was feeling that day and stories I didn’t want to share. If you are a forgetful person like me, write it all! As a Latina, I suggest you meet others and hear stories from people who are non-Latinos. Let me tell you, some stories I could relate, and others were eye opening and you will most likely never hear first-hand stories like theirs. Lastly, come in with an open mind and heart because we all deserve to be heard and not be judged. This space will allow you to ask questions and talk about disagreements. You’re going to do great! -RC

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

I used to be a very shy person especially in front of the stranger. So for the first couple classes, the discussion session with classmates actually bring me lots of pressure. And the writing seems very heavy for me also. (That’s my first w-class in UW). For those reasons, I was thinking about dropping the class in the first couple classes. But I am so glad that I did not because what I gain from the class is so important in shaping me as a whole person. So for those who are reading these post for the first pre-assignment, I STRONGLY suggest that not to give up so easily. The professor and TA here will give you strong support in helping you break your boundaries. The most appreciated part that I gain from this class is fearless of talking about my story. Lots of thanks to Joudou for creating such a safe space for me to share my opinion. At the end of the class, I find the public speaking is not as scary as I thought because I know there is no judge in the classroom. Lastly, I just want to say it’s the best class I’ve taken at UW. And for those who are about to take the course, please enjoy the journey! -CC Congratulations! You got into Educ 251 and made it to the first week of classes. I am going to be totally honest with you. I took this class, as someone in an engineer major, because of the three credits that it offered (I&S, DIV, & WRITING). I actually almost pulled out after the first week because of how Jondou was describing the class and all the writing/reading that we had to do each week. But I didn’t. This ended up being the best decision of my life. If you are on the edge of between taking this class or not, PLEASE DO IT. It was so refreshing to do something that wasn’t STEM related and to be able to talk about your life experiences/stories makes you feel much more at peace with yourself. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of this class and was so sad when it came to an end. One huge tip I have for self-care/getting the most out of this class is to be as real as possible with your TA’s, writing assignments, Jondou, and all the other students in the class when participating in discussions. You only get as much from the class as you put in. Trust me, you might not feel comfortable at first, but know that other people are may have stories just like yours. You got this and be ready for a very exciting class. Jondou has been one of the best professors that I have come across at the university. I am glad I went through the trouble of getting into this Educ major class and if I could, I would not hesitate to take it again. -JC This class is definitely the best class ever for me in UW. Not only because of the adequate workload and interesting readings, but the class as a whole will also make you feel comfortable and safe. Wherever you come from, or what’s your race/nationality, even gender, you will find what related to you in this class. Most of the classmates never meet each other before, but when they share their stories, you will feel a sense of trustfulness, that makes you more willing to share. Topics and identities covered in this class are those you might never openly discussed outside of this class. Feel free to ask any questions or any concerns, because you will always find out someone can understand you. If you are also international students like me, I suggest you don’t seat at the last row of the class to avoid engagement because of some topics discussed in this class you might not familiar with, or because English is not your native language and you are afraid of making mistakes. Everyone has their weaknesses and things that they are vulnerable. So remember, you are not alone. -JC

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

To future Educ 251 students: I’m glad you have made the decision to take this course because it is going to be a special journey for you. This class will be different from any other classes you had because it is all about what you think and how you feel. Get ready to share your stories and be honest to yourself, even if it is just a small moment in your life. The class and the teaching team really push me to think deeper about justice and to adjust balance between shelves and selves. Have fun in the class discussions. You will be able to hear about other people’s experiences and opinions and that has always been inspirational to me. Don’t be overwhelmed by the final paper because everything will come together in the end. I already start to miss the time we spend together and I believe you will too! -SC Hello friend! Welcome to EDUC 251, guaranteed to be your most self-reflective course you’ll take at the UW. I’m hoping that this class helps you find and refine your identities. This class will ask you to recall a lot of your past, which may be difficult, as it was for me. I hope, however, that you’ll truly put in the effort, as you’ll get the opportunity to rediscover who you are and why that is. You truly take away what you put in. I encourage you to always find new stories and self-expression, and to never repeat the same one twice. There must be a million stories you’ve lived, so look deep within yourself and be brave enough to bring them to light. Try your best to put your ego aside in this space—don’t be fearful of looking uninformed or ignorant, as we are never born into this world knowing everything. If there was ever a place to be vulnerable and show your lack of knowing, it’s in this room. I greatly suggest reaching out to the teaching team around you as often as you can, I regret not doing so myself. They are truly magnificent individuals with so much to share, and have such kind spirits. Good luck and enjoy your time! -LC Well, get ready for the most intense, eye opening experience of your life. Don’t get too overwhelmed by what’s about to come (sorry if I’m scaring you!) and something that I would recommend that will help is being in the moment every time you walk into that room. You’ll be going over a lot of things about yourself that, as Jondou will explain, you didn’t know you didn’t know and it’ll make you think a lot. My advice would be to take time with that and don’t be afraid to talk to someone about it or write it down! I had so many ideas and new things that I learned that I couldn’t wait to share them with my friends outside of class or even journal them. Yes, life gets busy and you might think that writing these pre and posts assignments are a waste of time, but I suggest taking the rest of the day to think about the class session you just had and doing the responses that night. That way, it’ll give you time to reflect on class and you won’t have to worry about turning it in last minute (or late)! As an Asian American, it was really refreshing being able to talk to my also Asian cluster mates and just hearing from each other about our own experiences growing up with our unique identities. I never realized that my story about growing up as an Asian American in the US was something that I never really shared with people, but it was something I needed to tell. Overall, I hope you have a great time in this class because it’s definitely made me understand who I am and hope to be. It’s given me great resources to use in the future and a way to express my own opinions and desires in a world

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

where my voice has to fight to be heard. Most of all, I hope you learn from this class that you and your stories matter, no matter how basic or ordinary you think it may be. Best of luck! -AC For future students of color, I think this class is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon your experiences and really think about your identities. Sometimes in class, it is difficult to share stories that are very personal. It is okay not to share things that you do not feel like sharing. But please trust the space, teachers, and other students. By taking this class, I gained deeper insight into my identities and built my confidence regarding my identities. This class and the final paper are both good opportunities to reflect on your past and truly think about where you are heading in your life. -RC Being vulnerable was one of the difficult aspects of this class, but it was definitely the most rewarding. Share your personal stories, and others will share theirs in return. Get to know your classmates and teaching team; create a community. Make sure to complete your pre’s and posts and go over all of the required readings/videos. It may seem like a lot, but it's the best way to prepare for the discussions in class in order to gain the most out of them. Most of all, be open minded. This class will push your understanding of the world and systems around you, it'll challenge your thinking and expose you to things that no other course will dare to; let it guide you off-trail on this short, yet wonderful hike. - CC This is the class that you will never regret to attend. You will learn the different identities which are really interesting and important. So, my advice to excel on this class will be actively participating in class and read all the material before class. The most useful things are included in the reading material. And I am sure you don’t want to miss it. -BD This class will change the way you feel about your sense of self. You will cover a variety of topics related to your identity. Some weeks will be easier to open up, while others might be challenging. My advice would be to put everything you have into this class. You should speak up and share your stories. As soon as one person in the class is vulnerable, the rest of the class will follow suit. Sharing personal stories will tell you a lot about yourself and can be freeing. Take the chance to use this class as your safe space to do so. My only regret in this class is not being more open earlier in the quarter. This is the greatest class offered at the University of Washington and I am sad that I am no longer a student in it. In order to be successful you should come to class everyday, engage with your peers, and be respectful of others. Enjoy! -LD I highly recommend you all to take this class. This class was challenging to me, however thinking about my own identity deeply was something that I’ve never done before and this class gave me opportunities do it which was interesting. Maybe you might see people who have opinions that you against, but it is okay. Everyone has different opinions and we can respect them. Something I need to say to people who are thinking about taking this course is that you have to be ready to read a lot of articles. You have to have enough time to read, because that is a key to bring up your idea and share it with your classmates. If miss a lot of reading, you might not understand what you will learn in the next lecture. My favorite topic that we learned in this

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

class was about gender identity. Everyone has ideas about how girls should be and how boys should be. However, things are changing compared to our parents’ generation and it was interesting to learn how people think about gender in today’s society.Joudou is an awesome professor and he is always welcome to talk with students. You will enjoy taking this class and it makes you grow. I didn’t regret that I took this class. I am glad that I took this class! Also, you will love the class environment where you can share your thoughts without being afraid of getting judgements. -LE I don’t know if my comment is on the first ones or on the last ones. But I know there are many people that probably wrote “best course ever!” and so many positive things about EDUC 251 that you must be tired/bored of reading. Well, we are not wrong when we say it is the best class you can ever take at UW. I was in your place last quarter, reading the comments from past students, wondering “how is this benefiting me?” “is it necessary?” “They all say the same thing”. BUT NO! We are all individually writing our own thoughts about this class. Don’t stop reading! My story and comments are not the same as the ones below or above. My story is unique, my identities are unique of mine, my writing is unique. And so it’s yours. My biggest advice is to speak. I know how it feels to be a person of color with English as a second language; it is tough. But you can be yourself in this class, you can speak with your own words, you can tell your story, and the most beautiful part is that you would find people that care about you, starting by Jondou and the graders. Don’t be afraid of the readings, they are so beneficial in many ways! They open your mind about how others feel and many times you find mirrors as well. They will also help you find justice and make your pres so easily to write. At the end of this, 500 words will not be enough. Good luck on hike, you got this! -KC This is a class you will actually enjoy and will not want to miss any class sections. Jondou is a great professor, and TAs are very helpful and amazing as he is, all of them make us feel very comfortable and safe to share things that you never thought you would be sharing, or things you never thought it mattered in the classroom and on your pres and posts and final paper. You will learn how to see the world with a different pair of lens, and see what made you who you are today. Be aware there are lots of readings and writing to do for this class, and if I was you I would take as much notes in the articles you read because you will be using it for your final paper. The more notes you have the easier it will be for you to write it. If I could I would take this class again, just because it opened my mind so much of the way I identified myself and saw others. -EE Please take this class seriously. If not for your sake, then for your classmates. This class isn't fun and it isn't easy but it's one of the most important that you'll take here at UW. It's okay to disagree with what's being said but don't be a jerk about it. Don't feel pressure to talk, but when you feel that you have something to say... say it. Keep an open ear, heart, and mind to what everyone else is saying. Make friends with the people around you. You're in for one hell of a climb. -EF

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

You made the right choice by taking this class! Many of the topics we talk about are interesting and oftentimes emotionally difficult but that’s what makes it worth it. As you journey through the topics, you will discover that other people have stories that reflect your own or are completely different than anything you’ve ever been exposed to and you will be appreciate those different perspectives. In terms of workload this class is not all too heavy and will allow you to have a good grade as long as you put in the effort to keep up with assignments. In regard to the final paper, make sure to do meaningful pre and post assignments as they will possibly be what you write about in your final paper. Have a good quarter and welcome to Education 251! -MF Hello EDUC 251 students! Welcome to such a unique and eye-opening space. Through this class, I have developed a sense of self and a new outlook and I hope it does the same for you! At first, I had just registered for this course because my advisor had suggested it to me. I had not thought much of it, but when I walked in at 8:30A.M. on the first day of class, I knew it was going to be much more different than the other classes I’ve taken at UW. While at first the class may seem daunting and overwhelming, I encourage you all to push through this because in the end, it will be worthwhile. The class creates a space in which anyone and everyone can share their stores and be vulnerable and through this, Jondou’s saying, “no shame, no blame, no guilt” really shines. With this, you will get as much back as you choose to put in. With this being said, I hope that you choose to actively engage with the texts, professors and T.A.s, and your classmates. While the workload may seem alarming at first, once you get into your rhythm, it all becomes a lot less stressful. I promise the pres and posts will greatly help you with your final paper, so take the time to do them well the first time! Even with the difficult topics, I challenge you to explore your mirrors and windows as well as your nests and cages. Enjoy and cherish this course because it will fly by and it truly is special! -EF EDUC 251 is a life-changing course because it makes the most ordinary moments in your life meaningful. You come in with all the knowledge that you need to be successful in this class, and the course would push you to discover and reflect on it with a critical lens. In order for you to learn in this class, you should participate by sharing your stories and allow yourself to sympathize with others. There will be moments when you feel uncomfortable because your privilege or misfortune have been called out, but making you aware of them and encouraging you to make a change are the goals. As a future educator, I often feel depressed after taking the class since the injustices being discussed are embedded in society and impossible to change with individual actions. However, I think that Jondou set a great example for me by incorporating different cultural elements, such as Chinese characters, into the curriculum as his appreciation for diversity. Furthermore, the readings are important and can be obscure at times, taking notes while reading makes it easier to understand them. My notes on readings and lectures also helped me in writing my Pre-and Post-assignments and my final paper. Finally, I wish that future students will be able to receive their best educational experience from EDUC 251! -SG I say the statement above because it truly is! Throughout this hike, you will experience more than you wouldn’t have known and more. Topics that are often ignored and never discussed in terms of different identities individuals have. Being in such a diverse society and world, this is

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

needed to be just to your surroundings and yourself. Taking initiative into understanding identities may not be a lot but it will be impactful to the interactions you have with others. Dr. Jondou, Kriya, and Afnan (your TAs) have been extremely helpful on pushing you beyond your limits of not just being just to yourself but to others. It is important to take their input and work with it for your final paper! Some key tips to maintain the amount of work throughout the hike are: highlight readings that are have potential for using it for your final paper, offer your authentic stories/self, and start your final paper early! It is important to know that the effort you put in is what you will get out. Although the class is two and half hours, it goes by fast when you are actively participating and following the prompts and discussions. I hope you take advantage of all the opportunities Professor and TAs will offer; particularly the one on one appointments, they truly care and are wanting to get more out of you. For this class, I will forever be grateful and thankful for!! -TG I remember the first time we went around and shared something we were bringing to the space, I thought to myself What in the world have you gotten yourself into? But, by the end, I would actually look forward to hearing what everyone was bringing to our space that day! You learn a lot in this class, and I would recommend taking advantage of this unique course because in all 4 years of college I have never been in a class quite like it. The best part about it for me was hearing all the things my classmates had to say. I appreciate all of them for what they taught me and I’m definitely going to miss section C! -SG This class has the potential to be one of the best classes you've taken if you put the effort into it. Six readings a week might seem like a lot, but they are all worth the time. Be mindful during class time, it is a large chunk of time but it usually goes by pretty fast and can be really moving. Also, pay attention to when all of the assignments are due. You have a few due each week, so stay on top of them as best you can so the last few weeks can be focused on the final paper. The paper seems daunting, but if you pay attention in class you're sharing stories each time which could all be used in the paper. Let the class expand everything you thought you knew about your identities! -CG As a student from non-education major, this class really open my mind. All the discussions, reading and writing are valuable. Don’t be afraid to talk. Don’t be afraid to share your story. As long as you are open to everyone, you will find that others are also open to you. Best teacher, best TAs and best classmates. -CG Hello future EDUC 251 student! In order to succeed in this class my first piece of advice to you would be to get started on your weekly readings early. Don't wait until the day before! They're long, but very interesting so spend some time reading through them. My second piece of advice would be to feel free to share your story. I found this class to be a safe space for me to share my thoughts and be surrounded by peers who cared about me so take advantage and of it and have a good time! Also talk to the TAs and Jondou because they have a lot of wisdom and they're really great conversationalists. It's also really therapeutic. Best of luck to you! I'm most certain you'll enjoy the experience of this class. -KTH

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

As someone who both works full time, and took 15 credits at UW during this quarter, I found that I had to stay on top of my work. So, I attempted to finish every pre during the weekend prior to class. When I couldn’t do that, I turned it in as soon as I could, this resulted in a few late assignments, but those didn’t affect my grade much. What really did is participation in class, showing up to every class possible is much more important than worrying about getting the assignments in on time, as long as they get done. I recommend getting the posts turned in the night after class, I would frequently jot ideas down for my posts during class time alongside my notes and that helped keep me on track and highlighted the points I found most important during class. Our teacher and graders are very understanding and are willing to work with you and help increase your understanding of the subject matter, despite being very busy themselves, so go to them before, after and during class, it can really help to keep you on to of the work, plus you can reference them too. -EH I was very nervous at the start of this class because of the focus on personal stories. Over time it got easier and easier to contribute to the conversation, and by the end it felt therapeutic to speak openly. You don’t have to be worried about being put on the spot in this class because you chose what you want to share. I got a lot out of the writing assignments, and reflecting along the way made me put things into words in ways I couldn’t before. I am going to remember this class when I think back on the way college affected my life. -AH This class has so much to offer, but you have to be willing to put the effort in. This is class that you put in what you want to get out of it. If I could start the quarter over, I would have stayed up to date on my readings and assignments. They do a really great job relating the readings to the class, as opposed to other classes that assign simply for busy work. The readings take a long time to complete, but they are well worth the effort. This class is also very consumed with active participation. I came to this class dreading that aspect of the course, but came out of it with close connections with my peers. I will miss this teaching team and my peers. Be present, and good luck! -SH For a future Education 251 student, my first piece of advice would be to be true to yourself. Before you share things with your classmates ask yourself if I am telling the truth or else why I even want to say it. Jondou describes the class as hiking and I think it is a vivid analogy. When you climb sometimes you may feel a little bit tired or overwhelmed, but do not be afraid. When you do not know what to share just take a rest and be a good listener. It happened to me many times that with listening to my classmates’ thoughts ideas just appeared. English is not my first language and at the beginning of the quarter I was nervous about if I could fit in. If you too are not very fluent in English please rest assured. Trust your teacher and your peers. During the whole quarter I never felt embarrassed when doing group talk. Even I was stuck and lost my words, my peers and the teachers were always there and willing to support me. Hope you could enjoy the class! -RH I am really happy that you get the chance to be a part of this class. Through this class, you are able to experience and listen to many stories from your peers, and you will have the chance to

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

look back and reflect on your own stories. At the end, you will find out that "being open-minded" is no longer a vague phase, because unconsciously, through the learning and sharing in this class, you will become truly open-minded about the beauty of this diverse world. This is my favorite quote from the SEED website by Saburah Posner: "SEED is a life-changing program. It is something that simply can’t be taught. You have to experience it and live it. It was so much more than diversity work. It was life work, hard work, heart work." Remember to bring a warm and loving heart into this class, and you will definitely learn and grow more than you thought. -RH I’m pretty sure you’ve already heard this many times, but what you put in is what you get out of this class. This class allows you to think about your identities that you grew up with and allows you to share your own personal experiences. I encourage you to be open and vulnerable, especially because Jondou emphasizes that there is no blame, no shame, and no guilt with how you were raised or what you experienced growing up. Trust me, it feels good to share your stories. You’ll get excited when you hear other people chime in saying that they experienced the same experiences as you growing up. You’ll get to hear stories that are unfamiliar for you, but get you to think about different perspectives of different identities. Lastly, I urge you to stay engaged in class, because it is well worth your time. Hope you appreciate this class as much as I did! -SH Hi future EDUC 251 students, I am so glad that you are taking this wonderful course. Three words can express my feelings for my experience of taking this course— boundless, empathetic, and grateful. My advice for you is to adjust yourself into a comfort mode for sharing stories, express anything in your mind, and really listen to others’ voices with a respecting heart. You will find it amazing how you are able to bring something into and out of this space, which you are less likely to have a chance to say and hear in other spaces. In addition, I suggest you to keep up closely with the course schedule for all pres and posts, as they link to what you are going to learn each week and what you leant from each class closely. Otherwise, you will find you forget and lose some ideas about certain things you want to say if you do the assignments late. Most importantly, please feel confident about any racial, gender, or sexual identities you carry with, as they are all so welcomed and respected in this course. Have fun! -TH To the future EDUC251 students, Many problems you have right now or in the past will be addressed in this class. I like to consider this class as a therapy session, not a class. Without hesitation, be ready to bring your stories and problems into every session because this space is a no blame, no shame, and no guilt area. Put yourself out there, because Jondou will take you on a great and hopefully fun ride! -MJ I really enjoy taking this course. From this course, I know myself better. This course enables me to think deeply about something which I rarely think about such as gender and social class. I think the most important benefit this course brings to me is that this course gives me a lot of chances to speak in class. I have chance to practice my way of speech every class. When talking with my classmates, I know a lot of good views and interesting stories. Actually, at the

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

beginning of this quarter, I felt afraid to talk with strange people. But know, I really enjoy doing that, because when talking with others, I can know a lot of things which I didn’t know before. This course enables me to think deeply about my sexual identity, gender, race and social class. I really like this class so I think there is nothing to improve. This is the best course that I’ve taken in the UW. -JJ To future students of EDUC 251, you are going to experience a class that is fundamentally different from many you have taken previously at the UW. Rather than focusing on studies and research, you will focus on yourselves. Perhaps most importantly, this class will require you to think deeply within yourself, for some about the repressed feeling they have felt and for others revelations. A struggle for this class will be the keeping up to date with the numerous assignments. While not difficult the frequent deadlines can easily be overwhelmed if not kept in check. For some, remembering stories relevant for each class can be difficult. Keeping in mind of all of your experiences can help in forming the final essay of the class. Finally be sure to keep an open mind of the class experience, and of the stories your peers will tell, for you are sure to learn something new every day. -EJ Be like water! This class might feel like you are getting a bucket of water dumped on your head. But of course, remember to breath. EDUC251 is one of the most rewarding, challenging and thought-provoking classes you will experience in your time at UW. It's a hike but the view and all that you learn are going make the uphill climb worth it in the end. Be open to the connections you are going to make this quarter, as you'll basically talk to everyone in the class at least once, and be willing to open up. Respect your peers, TAs and yourself. Take time to actually read the resources and stories and go back and rewatch the videos shown in class. One thing which I found really helpful after difficult class sessions was to look back and journal on what happened in our class period. This helped me further express myself in a more private setting, and I felt refreshed and ready to go back the next day. Don't be worried about a 3000-word essay, but do make sure to go put effort into your pre and post class assignments!! Also, appreciate the snacks. You've got this! -AOK Listen, be open, and challenge. Listen to others; you will discover throughout the quarter that every single person has stories worth listening to and stories that you would otherwise never be able to tell that they have. Although some people talk more than others, don’t dismiss those who talk less, and pay attention to the stories they share during the final, you’ll learn so much about them! Be open; be present in class and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Even if you’re feeling tired or stressed or frustrated, try your best to focus in class, you’ll learn the content and conversations are more than worthwhile. Challenge others; challenge your peers to dig deeper and share more, learn more about their stories and who they are and who they want to be. Challenge yourself; there will be times when everything you know, your values, your beliefs, are challenged in this class. Let it happen. You’ll often leave class with more questions than you came with. This is a good thing, it means you’re learning. Have fun and enjoy the crazy, amazing experience Educ 251 is! -KK

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

Coming into this class I was not one to participate. I think that I was always scared of judgement and not being right. This class has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. It allowed me to open up, be vulnerable, and not be afraid to share with my classmates. You are going to share so many stories about yourself, and I urge you to dig deep and be truthful and honest with yourself and those that you share with. Some conversations may be uncomfortable, but for me it was these conversations where I learned the most. As a white woman, I will admit that sometimes I felt judged for the privileges that I grew up with. I realized throughout the course though, that absolutely no one is judging, and everyone is accepting and understanding of everyone’s truths and stories. Keep up with your pres and posts and take notes when reading the articles. Notes can be anything, windows, mirrors, things that confused you…it will all help for the final paper! -MK This class is such a special thing. If you are reading this, you are one lucky student who is about to spend a quarter not only reflecting on yourself, but on the world you live in. Be prepared to reveal truths about your own identities and become very open in a way you may have never been in a class before. It is important in this class to be a good listener and to respect the level others open up. Everyone’s stories that they share are super important so learn from them and reflect after hearing them. I also think it is important to understand that people come from different backgrounds and have different opinions and perspectives, so remember to respect the opinions of your peers instead of shut them down. If you want to be successful in this class it is very important that you stay on top of your assignments. I set a reminder on my phone for the pre and post assignments so I wouldn’t forget to do them. I also recommend keeping a list of articles, videos, stories, and moments you liked and related to the most, throughout the quarter so you can use them on your paper. My table group and I would always say at the end of class that it almost felt like therapy because you talk about yourself in such an open and accepting environment. Sometimes the topics we cover in class can be a little heavy and the stories others share can be heavy as well, so take the time you need either during class or after class to collect yourself. Overall, the best way to get everything you can from this class is to soak up all the information you can, to read as many articles as possible, and to share and listening to all of the stories people share. If you come into class with a positive mindset, ready to learn and grow, you will end up just fine! -EK Future students should be ready to dive into some of the most difficult stories from every walk of life. The class and teaching team know how to bring out the most from every student, and I believe they couldn't do better in making every person in the classroom feel comfortable and strong. I would recommend taking 30-45 minutes after every class session to think. The material is so dense that it requires some outside time just to process the information that is being taught. There is no way to understand every topic, but the class provides a strong base of knowledge that can be used everyday for the rest of your life. I feel like a changed person after this class, and I would recommend to use every moment you have in the class to strengthen your understanding of the world around you. Be ready for a truly intense experience of pain and glory. -DK

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

This course give me life changing perspectives and insights. For me, I’ve never deeply think about the sex, gender, race, sexuality, age, social status identities. The topic itself was totally enlightenment and inspiration to me. The core point of this class is sharing and discussing. Almost everything was with the discussion time. Journaling and arranging my thought before the discussion was also helpful for me to think about my own opinion and experience related to that topic. One thing that I really want to recommend is to be vulnerable and open-minded. Every student had similar experience and even though we had different identity, all of us were ready to understand and empathize each other. The more we become vulnerable, the more we will be cured and connected. Another advice is that be prepared for the class. Reading articles and preparing simple sheet of paper about my thought for that class was worthful for me. It made me more present and honest to the class. EDUC 251 was entirely best course that I took ever. My future goal is to open this kind of class in Korea University. Still, Korean society is too conservative and not ready to accept this opened and new topics. I want to say people that it will be the most inspiring moment that encourage human beings to look the world 100 percent differently. It was amazing course. -JL This class was a meaningful class in which I was able to discover who I was. This class might seem cumbersome and tedious due to lot of writing assignments, However, the readings and writing are the fruit of this class. The more time and effort you put into assimilating the articles, the more you will discover who you actually are . At first, I was a little frightened with the writing assignments but it is over as you know it. The identities you will learn in this class might seem irrelevant at first, but the materials in this class will change how you think about each of them. Additionally, you will be able learn the diversity among your classmates which will broaden your scope of worldview. The stereotypes also seem to dissolve in some instances. -JL This course will be one of the best class you can take at UW. This class is inspiring, influential, and heart-moving. You will be able to hear other people’s stories that you can’t find from anywhere else. I personally think I was able to develop my characteristics and find out more about myself. Make sure you go to class because participation is everything in this class. If you go to class, do your pre and post assignments, and finish your final paper, you will get satisfying grade. -YL HULLO THERE! I just want to say how grateful I am to have had the chance to take this class and have Jondou as my professor. He and his teaching team are absolutely amazing they’re really trying their best to take care of their students. As this quarter comes to an end, I am feeling bittersweet at the moment because I am not ready to say goodbye to Jondou and everyone in class. I feel like I still have so many things I need to learn from them. This is a truly a pleasure to be a part of this class and trust me on this, you won’t regret this! -ML My advice to you is take a risk in being vulnerable. This class is about sharing your story and unpacking who you are, and sometimes that is going to be hard. You will realize things about yourself and others in the classroom that you never thought you would know. Sometimes topics in this class are going to be extremely heavy, so if it gets hard its okay to take a step out. The time in the class may seem long at first, but it goes by so fast because you and every one of

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

your classmates will be so into telling you their stories and talking to each other. This is a space where I felt extremely welcomed and cared for. As a person of color, I felt safe in this space and safely share my stories. Even if there are different people from you in this class, people are very understanding and respectful. You won’t regret taking this class and will learn so much. You will really learn more about your identity in this class which will help you throughout all areas of life. Also do the pre's and posts right after class so the information is fresh in your mind and you get the assignment done right away! -JL Hello, welcome to Educ 251, one of the best class you ever can take in UW. If you are reading this, you probably have already attended the first lecture (unless you registered late). You might feel overwhelmed by the list of assignments that you have to finish this quarter but relax. It is straightforward and design to get you to think deeper about this real society and the time you spend for this class is going to worth for lifetime use. Plan out your weekly schedule for this class and maintain it then you will find yourself very on task, and this is what I did throughout the quarter. Educ 251 is about sharing, sharing yourself and let others help you if you have problems or difficulties. Talk to TAs if you have issues or want to share your thoughts. They are super friendly and love to hear about your stories. More importantly, they do not make a judgment on any of your identities which I hope can make you feel more comfortable to share. One more thing is to be sure to organize you PREs and POSTs, and what I did was put all of PREs and POSTs in one document. So when it is time for your final paper, you can go through them and find the part you want to reference or utilize. IT'S VERY HELPFUL! I wish you all the best! -CL My advice for students from China: Welcome to EDUC 251, this is a class that provide open space, and bring us together to talk our personal stories, thoughts, and reflection. Set up the healthy boundaries while we are having the group discussion is extremely important, such as learn how to set your healthy boundaries in different situation, such as when you are discussing a sensitive topic with your group members. Also, we have different cultures, so it is important to respect the culture of others. I know that some topics are hard to understand for you, because you may rarely touch these topics and rarely delve into them. So my advice is to spend more time understanding them and then discuss with your group members when you feel confuse. -JL It’s been a wild ride – or hike, I guess, to mimic Jondou’s analogy. Be ready to share your stories – not necessarily coming to class with literal stories prepared, but just a willingness to be open and open-minded. I’ve learned a lot about myself, my goals, and the people and society around me throughout the quarter, and I hope you do too! Also, everyone is probably going to say start the paper early, but I’d like to diverge from that and say: if you have “too much” to write for a pre or post (exceeding 500 words for a pre or 250 words for a post by a lot) then save your story and tell it in your paper! To maximize this class’s effect, definitely try to apply the topics talked about in class to the world around you – you might find that many injustices emerge. Lastly, go to Jondou’s office hours just to chat – it was definitely worth it for me and you might learn something about yourself in the process! -MXL

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

This class is definitely one of my favorite class. In this class we have been talked about several topics like gender & sex, race & ethnicity, sexual and age & life stage. The class creates a comfortable place that we can share our stories and show our vulnerability freely. All the homework is designed to help us finish the 3000 final paper. There are so many readings and TED shows that stretch your thinking. My suggestion to you is: 1. Do read the feedback that TA give you. 2. Be really careful of APA format. 3. Organize your resources and writings, that will be really helpful for final paper. 4. Don't be shy or afraid, share your stories with classmates and listen to others carefully. Finally, do not be afraid of talking or feel stressed about so much readings and writings, you will be fine. Hope you all will get a good grade in the next quarter. -KL To all future Education 251 students, you are about to be in the best class ever in college. It was the best for me, and I hope it will be the same for you. The class is structured very individually, as you will come across topics and stories that closely relate to your own and what is true to you. But sometimes you will also be challenged to rethink your positions on certain subjects. You will learn more about yourself than you ever have, but only if you put in the effort to. Do your readings, participate in class as best as you can, and enjoy! -PL Advice to future Education 251 students is to be vulnerable. I mean being vulnerable in multiple ways; the first way is in listening because at times it may feel like your identities as a person are challenged (whether that means being put at a disadvantage/shame or the recognition of privilege you have), the second it be open to sharing because although your story might be a mirror to someone else’s there are no two experiences that are exactly the same and the way you view it might shift others perspectives/open up possibilities for others. In terms of class work, the workload is very consistent week to week so develop that schedule and crank out the pre(s) and post(s). Have fun in writing in this class because most other classes are not fun when you have to write, but this is a chance to really push your ideas/questions in further spaces while exploring yourself and various identities. Also, push yourself to learn your classmate's names even if you only see them for one quarter because it builds a connection/environment in the class that is supportive and safe (at least it was for my class). Another note is never be afraid to ask questions because it is just a sign of clarification that is needed and the teaching group will gladly answer/guide you to the direction needed. Finally, this course can be emotionally taxing and stressful to some, so do not ever be discouraged from taking a step back to catch a breath or talking to someone, self-care is so critical and is needed. I hope you enjoy this course as much as I did! -DLE Hollo the future folks! You are so lucky being engaged in this class. Now, you have to open yourself to the space and not afraid to be vulnerable. Talking and sharing are very important in this class and don't be shy to speak out. You will find it is interesting to share your stories to the public and you will find it is much more meaningful. Reflecting on your own thoughts and ideas are the most significant thing in this class and put your efforts on every week's pre and post. You will save a lot of time for final paper. Good luck on you all and enjoy this course with your heart. Best wish for you. -CL

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

I’m so glad you are taking this class because this has been the best class I have ever taken in the past 4 years at UW. Even though I had the 8:30 class, I was always excited to wake up and look forward to learn more about myself and the society around me. A few pieces of advice I would like to give is to be present, honest, and open. Coming into this class I was shy and was worried about how much we had to speak in class. But I grew to love talking to my classmates about our stories and listening to their stories. This was the only class where I felt comfortable to share my views and stories. I was also nervous because I’m in the Biochemistry major and wouldn’t know a lot about Education. But this class should be recommended for everyone in all backgrounds and majors. I was worried that I wouldn’t have anything to say for certain topics in class, but I realized that everyone has a story for every topic. Take as much as you can out of this class! This quarter went by so quickly and I wish I could take it all over again. Good luck on your journey through this class! This will be a hike but it will be one worthwhile. -SL In my opinion, this is one of the best classes to take at UW. I was fortunate enough to have been able to take this class and I feel like I became a better person because of it. The first few days might be a bit rough, but hang in there, the hike’s just beginning, but when you get to the peak, it’ll all be worth it. One thing that I must advise you on is to be true to yourself. Sometimes, you might be able to fool others, but you’ll never be able to fool yourself – at least not forever. If you’re true to who you are, do your readings, and participate in class, you’ll make the most out of this class. I don’t want to reveal too much, but in this class, you’ll definitely become more socially aware of all things around you and you’ll never be able to look at things the same. As a student of color, my eyes were opened when I learned how racism is different than what we are traditionally taught in school. As a male, I was taught that we have inherited a script on gender based roles and that it is up to us to change that script. As a straight person, I learned that I was afforded certain privileges that I have always taken for granted that queer people deserve as they are necessary human rights. I wish you the best of luck in this course and to enjoy every moment of it. The ten weeks goes by in a flash. -ML If you are not an education major and was able to sign up for this class then congratulations! I’m not an education major either and was lucky enough to take this class. Now to everyone who is reading this, Education 251 is an amazing class where you think back about yourself and how your gender, race, sexual, socioeconomic and age identity affects yourself and how it connects to the larger world. This class is very hard; work wise it isn’t too bad, but it's hard because of the self-reflection. You will think back on moments in your life that may be very personal and hard to talk about. You will listen to your peers share stories of their most vulnerable moment. Whatever you put into this class is what you take out; if you participate and genuinely self-reflect about you experiences, you will definitely enjoy this class by the end of the quarter. As a student intending to major in the STEM field, I do not regret taking this class at all. -SL It is a wonderful class though has lots of reading and writing tasks. But, please do not be afraid. Start your assignment two days before and then you will have plenty time to think about the window and mirror you find when reading resources. At the beginning of the class, I thought that I did not have stories to be written in my assignment, however, lots of stories sprouting out due

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

to listening classmates’ stories and discussing with them. It is amazing that you share similar experiences with other people in the classroom based on gender identity, race and age..etc. -MM While the coursework may seem difficult, it is actually the easiest part of the course. The most challenging part will be the material in that it will push and challenge your thinking and invoke many emotions. However, you will learn and experience a lot in this class, and it is most likely more unique than many courses that you have taken before. I encourage you to set aside time for the work in this course, and to put your best efforts into it. It’s okay to be vulnerable, and you should embrace it within this course. Try your best to create a safe space where everyone will feel comfortable as well. Seek to be open, to be honest, and to be understanding. You will cover many difficult topics throughout the quarter but remember to be fully engaged because you will get the most out of the material if you are present. Be mindful to yourself and to others. I hope you enjoy this class as much as I did and wish you the best of luck. -TM It's important to attend classes. Its a key factor for getting the most out of the process that this class has to offer. One needs to be open-minded or be prepared to be in this environment and take it as a full learning opportunity. It works best if everyone is willing to cooperate and share their stories with others. No need to be scared or shy, the Professor does a perfect job to make sure that everyone in the environment feels comfortable with themselves, and around others. Take this opportunity to get to know your peers, make friends and connections with others. Let people speak and think before you speak, something that might seem insignificant statement, might be a very painful statement for others around you. -MV This course has taught me more valuable subject matter than any of my other classes. The topics are not always easy or comfortable to talk about, but they are all important aspects of life. You are going to get to know the people around you so well- that does not mean you will (or even have to) be best friends with everyone. It is a safe space where people are willing to be vulnerable, and it really enhances the class if you are vulnerable as well. "No shame, no blame, no guilt" is something that will get said a lot in class, and it is an important reminder. We are not responsible for the way we are bright up and the things we are taught, but we are responsible for the decisions and actions we have now. DO YOUR PRES AND POSTS. Go to class, do the work, and you will be so thankful and feel so fulfilled. -SM Welcome to EDUC251! You are on a journey that may change your life and kindle new insights. The reading and writing working-load will seem to be a little bit intimidating but you will gradually get used to it. This course gives you a great opportunity to develop your writing style if you devote your energy and passion into all the assignments. Plan ahead. Give yourself enough time for all the reading and writing and this will help you not only just finish your homework and get the credit but also explore yourself as a human being. You can learn more about yourself while exploring with the class if you really engage in it. You may encounter some perspectives and stories that is a mirror to you. However, some of them may trigger a totally different emotional reaction. If this happens, do not hesitate to talk with someone, it can be your friends,

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

it can be your class TA, also please feel free to talk with Jondou. Feel free to express your idea and thoughts and this is another way you can learn in this class. Good luck! I am pretty sure you will learn a lot in this class. -YM EDUC 251 is a godsend. After my experience in the class, I can confidently say that this will be the most important class you take at UW. It’s incredibly hard to be vulnerable, and I couldn’t always do it, but when I could it enriched my experience in the class. A lot of the topics of this course and the emotions involved can be incredibly challenging to deal with, but I promise in the end it is so worth it. You may not always be able to handle the topics, and it is so important that you put your self-care above getting a certain grade in the class. I came home from the final exam and laid in bed and cried because of the power of this class. I really hope that this class makes an impact on you like it did for me. -CM You may have registered for this class in hopes of receiving a W credit or to fulfill another requirement like I did, but by choosing this class you have made the right decision. EDUC 251 will indeed get you those needed credits, yet it will teach you so many valuable lessons that will stay with you forever that are worth much more than a simple graduation requirement. My advice for you as a future student is to be open and honest with your peers. This course is unlike many others considering you are an important piece of the curriculum. By choosing to listen and to be accepting of new ideas you will allow yourself to grow. Be thoughtful and engaged when writing your pres and posts. Be accepting of your classmates. Be aware of your privileges, rather than defensive. Be attentive to how others seek justice. Be attentive to how you seek justice. Be vulnerable. Be you. I wish you the best this quarter. The hike will be over before you know it. -DM My advice to students taking this class is take advantage of pres and posts. They might seem like a lot, but don't treat them like busy work. Not only do they really help when it comes to your final paper, they also can really help you learn something and gain something from the class. I think you get out of this class what you put in, but it can be a great learning experience if you put your full effort in. -RM This class was a journey. I really appreciated the fact that you were graded on your participation and not on what you are saying. Get into a habit of doing your presentation and posts and stay consistent with it, you don't want to miss easy points. Learn about APA format early on in the quarter and ask questions. Make your appointment with the professors early on, they are really helpful. Also have fun! -HM First and foremost, you should know that you are about to take the best class of your entire UW career. As you journey though SEED, there will be easy topics and hard topics. Everyone will experience vulnerability at a different level or not at all, depending on how much you decide what you want to put into the class. For me, this was the safest space a classroom ever could have given me. You’re going to need to ask yourself the tougher questions and see how you are seeking your own justice for your own life through different identity lenses.

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

Don’t forget that your personal and mental health is such an important part of your well-being. If that means leaving the space for even a couple minutes and coming back to replenish, DO that. Don’t ever feel like you are trapped and if you do feel that way, talk through your emotions. The more you practice at verbalizing or writing out your own vulnerabilities, the easier it will get. It’s scary to step out of your comfort zone but I’m sure your future self will thank you later. Have fun this quarter! —TN It is very important to have an open mind in order to maximize your gain from this class, because you are gonna experience and discuss on some really difficult topics that you might not want to touch upon in your daily life. However, those topics definitely needed to be addressed and I believe you will agree with me later as you would find out how much those hard discussions mean to you. In a word, make sure to be open-minded even when you hear something you don't necessarily agree in this class, because you might not be aware of your identities and that can affect your perspectives. -BN My future advice for EDUC 251 students is to really engage with the texts in class and view this as an opportunity for self-reflection and betterment. Some of the content may put you in an uncomfortable spot as it makes you acknowledge your privilege, but acknowledging and recognizing that the things you were taught don’t make you a bad person is important. Also do the Pre assignments the day before so that you don’t have to wake up early to try and finish them on time, doing them after the last class of the week is good too. For the Post assignments, try doing them after class that same so you don’t forget or rush to get it done on time. It can be hard reading some of the articles especially when it deals with your targeted identity, but remember to share what you want to share and take the time that you need to ensure that it doesn’t hurt you. I didn’t feel too comfortable sharing at first, but overtime I got used to it and actually wanted to participate in the discussion so go at the pace that feels right for you. I hope you enjoy this class as much as I did, have fun! -FO Dear future EDUC 251 students, throughout this course, you will be able to figure out many things about you. Things that you never realized that you had. You will be asked to reflect back to your life and share your life story. You might think that your life is irrelevant to certain topic, but trust me, every topic is somewhat related to your life. Don’t sit back in the class and hope for the time to pass, use the moment to reflect and share wisely. Depends on the topic, you might be in a place of marginalized identity and sharing traumatized experience can be hard and difficult for you. Don’t think that you always have to share stories. If you don’t want to talk about certain story because it is a trauma for you, it is okay to not share the story. Nobody will be going to judge you. But be fully present in class and be involved in class activity even if you are not talking. Listen to what other people say and respect different perspective that different individual has. Appreciate stories that people share. It might change how you see the world and you will have personal growth of how you see the world. Every moment in class will help you to prepare you for the final paper. -JHP

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

You will enjoy this class so much! I have personally grown immensely in ten short weeks by broadening my understanding of my identities as well as the social structures and norms that surround them. As you make you way through the course, I encourage you to be open and honest with the class, but most importantly yourself. It is easy to hide parts of your past in the back of your mind because it can be difficult to talk about it especially with others. Yet, if you are your most authentic and real self it will allow you to see things from different perspectives and broaden your understanding of the world. On a more academic note, I encourage you to read more than the required six each week. Each reading or video is intentional and can provide multiple dimensions to the identity being discussed that week. This class is amazing, and I know you will love it too! Good luck during spring quarter. -MP Dear future EDUC 251 student, you are about to be on a journey to find yourselves and understand the world of justice through stories about your life and others. During this journey, you will either find a great excitement to find yourself in other stories, or be exposed to a new world that you never think something is actually happened. My word of wisdom is that you should care about your feelings and pay attention to others as well, because every single person matters in this space. Don’t forget to look out for your classmates, your partners, your group members; and don’t be afraid to ask questions - this was one of my few places where I could share my thoughts and ask questions freely without worrying of judgement. You should also try to remember all your classmates names and faces because you will, in fact spend quite amount of time presenting yourself in this space. What you will learn in this class is essential for your live-long learning and understanding the justice you need for yourself and your world. As much as I have appreciated myself and my decision for having taken this class, I hope you will too, and you know your own answer at the end of the journey. So Have fun!!! -LP If you are reading this note, then congratulation—you are having a right decision to take this amazing class! You might feel a bit overwhelming because of the reading assignments and short writing reflection during the first week, but you will see they are not that hard. I promise you will get use to it right after the second weeks. Moreover, those assignments will help a lot in your final paper at the end. Everything in this class is just about sharing stories, identities, opinions, nest, cage, window, and mirror. Bring yourself, your stories, and your willingness to learn is enough for this class. It might be a bit challenge if you don’t like to talk or discuss in class since most of the time we spend time to have group discussion. But don’t worry, there is no guilt, no shame, and no wrong in this conversation space, which will be a great chance for you to practice your communication skill. Don’t hesitate! Last but not least, this class does take attendance, so make sure to come to class! Hope you will enjoy this class with an amazing professor like JonDou and friendly TAs. Best! -TP Welcome! This may just be the best college class you ever take. Come with an open mind and -especially if you are more introverted- an open heart as well. If you allow your walls to come down and honestly answer the prompts given in class, this course will be like a little therapy session twice a week. This is the first class I ever took that prioritized self care. Organization is

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

also key for this course, and I highly recommend keeping a live document for Pres and Posts, as it simplifies retracing your steps for the week 10 assignments and final essay. Treat these assignments like a personal journal, and eventually you will be able to pull from them to add analysis to your final essay. -LP Be prepared to share your stories. talk about your stories. And think about your stories. I think basically this is what this class about. Aftermath, you will receive not only others' stories, but your justice towards the society. Also, be prepared to write essays every single week and the final 3000-word essay! Besides too much writing, everything else is nice enough! hahaha -RR One question that was asked in the first week of this class was, "How real are you going to be?" and I found this to be a challenge to myself to, for once, open up about things that I never/rarely mentioned. It was through this course that I actually found a better sense of self- reflecting and forgiving on things in the past I could never quite get over, finding solidarity and empathy among my class peers, and finding justice for myself and others so that the impacts of the acts of injustice would not last. I tend to be stubborn and avoid talking about serious situations that involve myself, but, this class became such a free and open space that I actually wanted to talk about my stories. We all have stories and deserve the chance to share them- which is why this class will be unlike any that you have ever taken. For once, you will be handed the microphone and asked to speak and- within that moment- I hope that you do. -NR I’m really glad that you chose this class. Whether you’re taking it for diversity credit, writing credit, or credit for the ECO major, know that your ideas are always welcomed here no matter your background. That’s the beauty of this class. You get to make meaningful relationships with your classmates who come from different backgrounds as you. And to make these meaningful relationships, you got to be open to step out of your comfort zone. This class is a lot of discussion between you and your peers. At first, it is difficult to talk. You barely know the person, so why would you open up? Know that your partner is probably thinking the same thing, so take the initiative to open up. Once you open up and aren’t afraid to say what’s on your mind, your partner will also become comfortable to talk. A lot of the conversations and discussions that we had in this class were so impactful. I got to learn from my partners and myself. Professor Jondou allows you to do something that traditional classrooms don’t really do: Express your vulnerability and release your silences. I know, scary right. I was a little concerned about this because I always leaned more on the quiet side, but I challenged myself to talk and contribute to the class. You should know that the classroom that you’re about to be in for the next 10 weeks is a safe place for everyone. Professor Jondou, along with the ta’s make it clear that they want everyone to feel like they matter, and they won’t be judged. So, here’s my advice to you, trust Professor Jondou on this long hike of educ 251, trust your classmates during discussions, and trust yourself. Your confidence will grow so much, if you make the most out of this class. -NS Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learn how to be vulnerable. If you’re not used to being in touch with your feelings or sharing yourself with others, find a healthy way to empower

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

yourself to do so. This class is transformative in so many ways, but only if you’re willing to put yourself out there. If you are from a dominant identity, I urge you to please do your best to conduct yourself in a respectful manner. Those from non-dominant identities may not feel safe around certain people. So, be an attentive listener. Learn how to ask questions that carry compassion and consideration. Pay attention to the body language of others. Ask them if they feel safe, if they’d like a break, if they’d prefer to talk to someone else, if there is any particular way that you can support them. Ask them if anything (or a specific thing) you said was offensive, hurtful, disrespectful, etc. THANK THEM. Show your appreciation for others being vulnerable and sharing a piece of themselves with you in such an intimate way. Showing that kind of respect can really mean a lot to people and help them feel safe in opening up. Lastly, be you. We want to know who you are. We want to hear you. -GS EDUC251 is both an easy and difficult class at the same time. It is easy because we have created a very welcoming space in class for us to talk to each other. There is heavy reading and writing involved but I was able to read others’ interesting stories and share about my own stories. However, some of the topics we tackled in class can be very controversial. There are days where I come into class without knowing anything other than the readings we have done about the identity. There are terms that I normally would not say in front of a class of 50 students. There are opinions I normally would not express in front of stranger, because you never know someone else who has a different identity and life experience than you might disagree at any time. However, Jondou seeks to create a safe space where everyone’s voice can be heard, and everyone’s opinions can be respected. It is indeed a step towards a more just society. So, my final word of advice: just be truthful to yourself and to others. -CS At first this class can be a bit uncomfortable because you have to share your personal experiences and stories to your peers. Tt was very challenging for me to open up. However, the classroom is a very safe space and no judge zone. I remember the first day Jondou brought up a quote from Bruce Lee “Be water my friend” (Chen, 2019). Now, I finally understood why he brought it up. Water is shapeless, so we must adjust to different situations. It is similar to the class, we have to adjust to different situations. Doing your pres and post are very important in the class. At first, I was worry because of the amount of writing and reading we had to do. However, as the quarter goes on it became really interesting and you could easily write more than the word counts. Pres help you understand what you are going to learn in the week. Posts let you reflect on what you learn in the week. Every class we will do check-in and check-out. Check-in is something that you bring or contribute to the class, it could be physical or emotion. Check-out is something that you are taking away with you. As Jondou described this class is like a hike. As a person of color, you will learn your privileges and disadvantages throughout the hike. Getting to know your classmates is important, because they are the people you are hiking with. I learned a lot about myself and my classmates because of this class. You will find mirrors and windows to your classmates. I am excited for you all to go on the hike. -CS Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone! This class is 95% participation in group conversations, which is very different from most classes at UW. Don’t be afraid of being

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

vulnerable. Keep an open mind, you’ll be surprised by how much you will learn about yourself and the world. There’s a reason Jondou has a perfect score on rate my professor! He knows what he’s doing: there is definitely a method to the madness. Stay on top of the work! Doing the pres and posts are incredibly beneficial to your learning and to your final paper. Do the readings and make notes of which ones are most impactful to you and your story (it will help for your final paper). Take out big picture concepts from classes and readings, reflect on what matters to you. You get out what you put in: be present and active in order to succeed. - MS I think one of the many things I struggled with in this class that future students should not have to is always trying to be politically correct. While our current generation / area is fairly progressive, sometimes ideas and beliefs are not always phrased in the most politically correct ways. However, this does not mean the beliefs / values are necessarily invalidate, in fact, by addressing these values and beliefs, we are able to learn from different ways of better phrasing so and understand our own values and beliefs. -HS Get ready to truly understand who you are and how your experiences have shaped you. I often called this class my “therapy session of the day” because I always felt the classroom a little bit calmer and a little bit more ready to take on the world. Whether you’re an education major or not, the information you learn in this class is extremely valuable and can be used for years to come. This is the best class I have ever taken at UW mostly because of what I put into it. This class may seem like a lot of work but what you put in is what you get out so I invite you to try your best, stay on top of your work, and push yourself to be as vulnerable and as open as possible because that is when real change and learning happens. -AT My first advice for you is to be prepared, mentally. I was afraid to share parts of my identity to people. Though I took the chance in trusting my classmates and professor Jondou and as expected, I never felt happier to see that many people are so open-minded, and we all have our own vulnerabilities no matter how we present ourselves. Talk to the person next to you, people at your table because we are all afraid to be the first and they will likely sit with you for the rest of the quarter so might as well start talking now. Knowing the people makes it easier to share vulnerable things too. Your most important tools are your stories, use them wisely and understand why each of them are important to you. On the technicalities, the Pres and Posts could be a little bit overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it quickly. Come to class and don’t hesitate to share and speak up. I made some good friends out of the class by talking and speaking up so I hope you would to. If you feel very connected to any readings or videos, write them down so that you can use them later in the final paper with 15 required references. That is all I have for you, just have fun and treat the space like your home where your classmates are your siblings and Professor Jondou is the single father of roughly forty children and have fun. ☺ -TT When you get into this class and it feels a little corny, just remember this is a space where all of your truths will be heard so there is no reason to lie. Checking in becomes less corny and more of a way for you to empower yourself and share how you are feeling. The readings may seem

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

tedious, but everyone finds their own way, but I would say just have a reminder each week that you have Pre’s and Post’s to do. You cannot be afraid to express how you feel and everyone in the class will be supportive so speak up and be proud of what you are saying especially if it is about your own life. Writing/journaling during class is a good idea to get ideas down for later when you need to do your posts and final paper. -AT The best advice I would give would be to stay on top of the little assignments and the readings. While in the moment it can be very difficult to motivate yourself or find time for the weekly assignments, when you get to class and know about the material it makes the day much more enjoyable. It also really helps when you get to the end of the quarter and you already have ideas written about over 30 different readings it makes the final paper a breeze to write. Also, as someone in a dominant position in regards to racial identity, sexual identity, and gender identity, this class was an incredible learning opportunity to better understand other groups of people with different identities from my own, in a very open and safe space. I would recommend you keep an open mind and open ears and you will find your time in this class to be very valuable. -PT This class was by far the best class I have ever taken. It’s 2.5 hours, which is a long-time slot, but it never felt long at all. Time went by so fast each class, and there were even times I wish there was more time to talk. The content of the class material is half articles and other works (called shelves) and the other is all about you (called selves). I think that’s what made this class so interesting was that I could put my own voice and my own heart into what I wrote for every pre-class and post-class assignment. I encourage you to go to every single class and speak up when you have something to say. I am envious of you because you get to take this class right now. I wish every student in the UW and across the country all over would be required to take a class such as this, even if they disagree with the content. It’s eye-opening and allows others to see inside the worlds of different people. My advice to you is to do all the reading that you can and even read more. Make the weekly assignments as part of your routine, so you don’t forget. Good luck! -JV EDUC 251 has been one of my favorite classes so far at UW! I really liked how inviting and comfortable this class was. This class has definitely helped me understand more of who I am as a Mexican-American and how I am able to obtain my own justice. This class was a great way to reflect on my stories and what made me the person I am today. I recommend that you try and be as open as you can because when I started to be more open it helped me understand my identities more. Also, come to class with an open mind so you are able to see everybody’s different points of view. Try to not think of what grade you will get instead focus on the material, focus on the readings, and stories being told. There are going to topics that might make you uncomfortable but remember to step out of class if necessary and talk to Jondou! I hope you enjoy this class as much as I did! -DV Feel lucky; you are about to enter a wonderful space, I loved this class since day one and I feel so sad it is over but I want to tell you something, I am a latina woman, Ioved talking about race,

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

gender and diversity, but in this class I learned about the significance of " justice". Justice can be defined in many ways; we can make our justice; we do not need a big title or position to make a change. This class will help you to get deeper into your thinking and connect that to your stories. My stories have great significance, and I can see it now. -KV Personally, this class is a step towards your wholeness. It could help you recognize, understand, and embrace your true identity. Systematically, it is a call to advocate a mutual understanding of different identities, diversity, and equality for them. The process might be struggling. Yet, as soon as people realize who they truly are, they would find life more meaningful and satisfactory without lingering over different choices in their lives -- because they form faith and values and feel confident about them. In addition, I think stories are the keys to this topic. Stories are what shape people and therefore hold people's identities together. Don't be afraid to share your own stories. As Chen always says in class, no shame and no guilt. You will find more different stories from different perspectives, where you could notice "diversity" in a sense. It is an interesting course, a process to learn more about yourself, people around you, and the whole society. -SW I think if I were to offer any advice to a future EDUC251 student, it would have to be to let yourself be vulnerable and if you don’t know how to do that, try to learn from others. All it really takes is one person to share their story, and if they share an identity with you and you can see yourself in their story, it’s important to speak up and say so because not only will you potentially learn that someone has a similar life experience as you, but the person who shared will know that there is somebody who can relate with them. It can be nerve-wracking to put your voice out there, especially when talking about a topic in class that may cause you pain, but through it all, let yourself be vulnerable and try your best to accept who you are because there’s a strong likelihood that someone in the class may relate to or share your experience. I personally felt connected to many of the women in my class because we all have similar life stories regarding our gender identities and gender roles, even though many of our other identities may have been different. Try your best to find strength in what you have in common with other peoples’ stories, and communicate those commonalities so that you can find confidence in yourself and allow your classmates to find confidence in themselves as well. -SW Listen up. This class will give you what you put into it. On the first day of class, Jondou told us how we were going to willingly put ourselves in vulnerable positions. Positions that would make us uncomfortable, confused, curious. I was skeptical at first, I admit, but I learned soon enough the importance of this. You are going to open up to your peers about serious topics and at first it does seem uncomfortable, but by week 10, you’re more than willing to. Jondou makes you realize the power each individual holds in his classroom, which I feel like many professors lack this ability. Be grateful for this. Be ready to walk into unfamiliar territory and to come out with new perspectives. Jondou talks about the hike you’ll all take in the ten week period. Trust him on this journey, because he truly is a phenomenal guide. Godspeed, friend. -BW

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

EDUC 251 is a class that you will love eventually. I will have to say that this is the most connected course i have ever taken. Professors and TAs are caring and as the quarter goes, you will meet so many people you like or you find common things with. Remember to get used to the rhythm of this course as soon as you get in. There looks like a lot to write about but if you do them in a pattern, you will get on the track and that is going to be easy. -CW My advice to you is to “trust the process”. A lot of people walk into EDUC 251 wondering what this class is about and whether it’s right for them. Don’t doubt this class! Trust me! This will be one of the best classes, if not the best class, you will take at the University of Washington. There’s a reason this class and their professors are so highly rated on course evaluation catalogs and ratemyprofessor. And that’s because the teachers in this class truly prioritize the students, and they truly value your education experience. The curriculum of this class is about you. In a way, you are the subject you’re studying for in this class! In this class, you will learn about different types of social identities, things you didn’t know before and things you thought you knew about, and at the end, you will reflect on yourself based on these identities. I walked away from this class with a lot of insight on myself, who I am as a person, where I am in terms of a social dynamic, what I can do for others, and what I need from others in order to have wholeness. The environment of this class is drastically different compared to your typical UW class. There’s none of that competitiveness from grade curves, no social isolation from people being cliquey. Everybody that comes to class truly wants to learn, truly wants to make new friends and hear the stories they bring. I recommend anyone to take this class. This class welcomes all people, and when I say that, I truly mean it. In my EDUC 251 experience, everybody in class treats each other with respect. In fact, this class gets better and truly shines the more diverse your class is. -XW Hi future EDUC 251 students. I recommend that you should take this class at least one time in your college career. Firstly, this is not an essay class, you should be ready for writing long essay and reading so many requirements reading. Secondly, this is a class that as long as your hardworking, you will get a good grade. Mr. Jondou is an amazing professor. You can feel the passion and respect from his lecture. During this class, you should ask yourself a question: “What something you don’t know that you don’t know.” I know that you will feel confused when you hear this concept at the beginning, but this theory has profound meaning when you understand Jondou’s care and thought. Finally, you will feel unprecedented equality in this class, whatever your race, gender or sexual identity. Good luck in your future EDUC 251 class! -ZX Dear future EDUC 251 students, this is an awesome class that it’s worthy to get up early (if it’s a 8:30 class) and devote your time into it. It teaches new perspectives that you will learn from readings, speeches, Jondou and your peers. The class content is concrete and very organized. Please do not miss classes because you are going to miss some amazing lectures and discussions. Don’t be scared by all the writing assignments and the final paper, everything is under control if you follow the class consistently. Set up a google drive, and do all your reading notes, pres and posts there is really helpful. Also make sure that you participate in this class,

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

speak up and ask questions. This helps not only with your participation points, but more importantly, it helps to stretch your critical thinking. You will learn more than you expect through this class, and every detail, each slide helps you to identify who you are. Please trust Jondou and all the teaching staff, they really care about you that they can remember your name and your stories. They are always there when you need them, so please talk to them if you need. This is the most meaningful class I’ve ever took at UW, and I believe you will love it. I really hope that I can take this class every single quarter. It is just soooo amazing. Whatever you do with your schedule, do NOT drop this class. -AX The best way that you can get a full experience out of this class is to share yourself and listen to what other people share about themselves. This class is a place where you can share your stories and concern safely. Jondou is a good guide who can always help you come up with your insights. Also, this class change how you view things differently. Don’t be afraid of the large amount of reading that you are going to experience throughout the quarter as a lot of them are strong, impactful, and not hard to read. You will feel uncomfortable for at least one of the topics you are going discuss in the class, but don’t worry because that is how you recognize the advantage and disadvantage that you have and make changes from here. At last, I wish you enjoy your class and get the most out of it. -CX Different from other class where students are expected to be like black holes absorbing everything said by instructors, this class is a place where you are considered as important as instructors. In this class, you would talk many stories of yourself. Also, you would meet many people from diverse background and hear their stories, which could be mirrors or windows. Be open-minded. Don’t be shy. This class is a life-changing experience and maybe also a once in a life opportunity, so please cherish it. I bet you are gonna like it. -CX Totally worth it. This class will be both a window and a mirror for you. You would truly explore both new things and yourself. There’re lots of reading and writings, but don't be intimidated by them! These are just a way of knowing yourself better and prepare you for the final paper. Remember to keep up with the canvas notification and you will be fine! As for the in-class discussion, get out your comfort zone! Both your classmates and the instructors are amazing people. They really care about you and eager to know your stories. The class is filled with all the respect, grateful and love. Be yourself and share your stories! But be sure to use the words that are comfortable for everyone. It’s been an amazing class, you’ll really like it! -OX Dear EDUC 251 future students, congratulations on choosing this course, because you will never regret your choices. I think you must attend every class to ensure your attendance, which is very important, and you need to share your stories with your classmates in class. Although sometimes it is difficult, especially for those who are shy and unwilling to talk. But, fortunately, it doesn't have to be in front of the whole class, just in the group. Jondou offers us a safe and comfortable environment to communicate with others. Of course, you will also hear some interesting stories to your classmates, and maybe some stories that touch your heart, which you have never heard before or have similar experiences with you. Each class also needs to write

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

pre and post reflection to preview and consolidate knowledge, and it plays a key role in your final paper, especially the feedback from the teacher assistant. Although you may feel uncomfortable because of some special identity or topic, you will find that everyone is an independent individual, with different feelings. Try your best learn to let go, to put down, to accept, you will find the whole sky is open. Therefore, I think EDUC 251 is a meaningful, challenging and in-depth course, and it is also the best and most interesting course I have ever attended in UW. By the way, it doesn't matter if you don't have time to have breakfast or lunch, because Jondou will serve up chips and snacks for you! -DY This is a class worth giving up your techs during class time to learn the wisdom and stories from your counterparts. I liked this course because when we were talking about injustices in class, we were not forced to make any decision or accept any ideologies. In the pre and posts, I have the freedom to agree or disagree with what I learned from the material in class. This helped me to keep my realness and honesty and to better welcome others' ideas and stories. If you take this class, imagine it's a journey, self-reflection is your destination, be brave to explore your identities and personal philosophies, you will achieve more than you expected. -YY This class is a journey of self-discovery. Be prepared to be moved, shocked, or even humiliated by your old thoughts. “No shame, no guilt.” as said by Jondou. Please dissect your observations of daily life and your actions as much as possible, and share them with your classmates. But if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, it’s also ok to just sit back and listen to others talking. The most important thing is that you are with everybody on this journey. Do your homework and extra research if you feel like it. I love every article I read for this class, and I bet you will enjoy them as well. If anything in the reading offends you or hurt your feeling, write it down. If you “totally agree” (think twice before you use this phrase) with all the information you get from this class, write it down. Ask yourself why you agree or disagree with these opinions. Overall, please respect everyone in the class. Pay attention when people are speaking. Have fun making friends along the way! -MY I highly recommend taking this class because you will not only improve your writing skills by doing lots of writing pres and posts weekly, but also more importantly you will get to know yourself more when taking this class. You will find something you never discovered about yourself before through reading weekly articles, talking with peers or doing posts. It is a class that you will not only get both div and w credits, but also it is a class for you to make more friends from heart since you will share a lot of your stories from each other. Even though you may complain about the heavy work you have to do weekly, but it is worth it. The more work you put in this class, the better you will find about yourself and the better chance to succeed at last! -BY This class is truly one of the best that UW has to offer. Jondou and the teaching staff are absolutely phenomenal and are a great resource that you should take advantage of (sign up for office hours)! The way that this class works is so different from other classes that I’ve taken, because you get to learn about yourself. You get to explore what it means to carry different

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

identities, but most importantly, learn what it means to seek justice for yourself, for your relationships and for society. Tell your stories because you are the only one who can tell them. Speak your truths because you’re the only one who knows them. Your experiences are important – don’t discount them because you think your voice doesn’t matter. This class really is what you put into it. Reflect honestly, do the readings, ask questions, and open up yourself to discussions – you’ll find yourself growing in ways that may surprise you! -AZ dear future identity seeker. you are important, you will understand who you are and what you want to be through this course. you will delve into some topics that might be sacred to you, some topics that you might be sensitive to. i encourage you through this journey to remind yourself to be authentic and you. you are the only one who will right your wrongs and be true to who you are. as you enter this artificial space we call a classroom you will learn very quickly that you have the power to say what you want and say what you need. you can be as open and honest as you want. i advise you throughout this quarter to read as many resources as possible, it will be a struggle and long journey but you will be very grateful in the end. you will discover things you didnt know and discover what it means for you to be you. you will become very close to the people you have in class with you and will gain new relationships. 10 weeks goes by very quickly and soon the class will be over before you know it, make the most of your time in this space and dont be afraid of who you are. -BZ I came into this class not really knowing what to expect and not really understanding why this class is among one of the most popular courses at UW, but I can say with confidence that in my three years at UW, I took away the most with this class. You will be asked to share stories about yourself and you might feel weird at first, like what am I sharing my personal stories with 30+ other strangers? But you will find that, if you are willing to share and be vulnerable to others, others will do the same. And once the classroom becomes a place for all students to be vulnerable and be okay with being vulnerable, you will learn so much from others and even from yourself. This class solidifies a lot of unconscious struggles that people have been going through, and it makes sure that we acknowledge those struggles and do something to protect ourselves from being helplessly conquered by those struggles. How much you get out of this class really depends on how much you are willing to try for this class, and how much you are willing to learn from yourself and others. -DZ For the future classmate, you are lucky to be in this class. If you love to seek the justice in the world, here is the perfect place! For the assignment, all the pres and posts can be used in your final paper, so please try you best to do them to save your time in the final! However, from my perspective, I would recommend you can only read four required articles but not six. I say that because it is better for me to analyzed them well compared to read a lot but not understand all. -EZ This class covered plenty important and relevant topics throughout its course, and it provides an inclusive and safe environment to encourage discussion. However, I think our conversation focused too heavily on individual experience and lack of reflection on the structural and

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

systemic influence. Especially, for the topic of gender and race, there are a large number of systemic oppression and discrimination we could discuss. I understand reflecting on one's own experience and hearing personal stories from peers is a very strong and powerful way to approach a social problem, but there is certainly room to focus on structural factors. A few topics that I think might be worth covering are the Missing White Woman Syndrome (an intersectional analysis on gender and race), Nuisance Property Ordinances (people who have low SE status, and specifically black women suffers disproportionately due to domestic violence), the money bail system (an aspect of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system) etc. I know these are very specific sociological topic, and most of the literature regarding these matters are quite dense. However, there are lots of what we called public sociologist who did an amazing job explaining these matters in a very easy manner and do not involve any sociological jargon. I understand it is impossible to cover this much topics and have a comprehensive analysis on every aspects, any one of these topics is easily a quarter worth of work in sociology, yet I believe combining individual experience with the broader social structure is very important. -KZ I personally think that Educ 251 helps me about thinking deeply. Group discussion is a big part of this class. You are required to share your stories, share your thoughts about certain topics to your groups and to the class. It is the process of letting you get to know and understand the society around you as the same time understand better about yourself. You are able to learn to express yourself, and show your stories, and find your justice. Not only sharing and talking about yourself, listening is also am important part in Educ 251. You would benefit from listening to others telling their stories and sharing their thoughts since you would meet people from different race, gender, sexual identities, etc. Knowing what others thinking can also help your own development. To Participate is really a good way to learn and get a good grade in this class. Hope you all have a great time in Educ 251. -WZ Education 251 is the most inspiring and mind-opening class I ever took. I got to learn so much about myself and my classmates. This is a safe space for you to share your stories and remember to be confident when sharing your stories since every story is meaningful and worth telling. One advice for you is to take good notes and to write down any thoughts during class, as they will become super helpful when you are writing your final paper. Use a planner to keep track of your assignments and get into a routine and make sure you are on time with the pres and posts. The amount of effort you put into this class determines how much you will get out of it, so make the most of it. Open to being vulnerable as the topics can sometimes be challenging, but the more vulnerable you are willing to let yourself be, the more you will gain from this experience. Good luck and I hope you will enjoy this class like I did! -XZ I really enjoy this class and enjoy the space where Jondou gives us. You can talk about anything and will listen to many different voices from the course. You will learn how to embrace a variety of positions and tradition in this class. Be prepared! After the all quoter pass, you may shake by the change of your way to thinking the world and society also yourself! -YZ

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Education 251. (2019). ​Notes to future students​. Seattle, WA: University of Washington.

Hi, incoming EDUC 251 students, the paragraph you are reading is the last writing work for us for this class. With the experience of the whole quarter, I can certainly tell you this course would provide you a better understanding of our society from vary perspective: gender, race, social status, age, and so on. All these identities would go over one by one and Jondou(or other instructors) would lead you through with patience. The aura of discussion is relaxing so there is no need to be panic. All you need to do is prepare your point of views and be able to write it down. Then you are ready to go and have fun with the class! -ZZ Hello EDUC251 students, welcome to this amazing class. To be honest, it is one of the most eye-opening classes I’ve ever taken. Though at first it truly freaked me out since I heard that we need share our stories with classmates and I was worried that I would not feel comfortable sharing my experiences with others. However, Jondou and the TAs created a safe space and when I saw everybody around me were all willing to share and to be vulnerable, I started to be open. Also, in this class, you can feel the power of storytelling. Most of the reading materials are like narratives from people with different identities, so it is fun to read. By reading and listening to stories from others as well as sharing your own stories, you would be exposed to different worlds which are full of different opinions and perspectives. The experience of getting better understanding in topics that I didn’t knew much before is eye-opening and amazing. In addition, Jondou and the TAs will be good leaders in this journey of getting to know more about yourself so do not hesitate to ask them questions. Hope you will enjoy this class as I did! —AZ To future students: The class creates a safe place for everyone with different identities. Be free and brave to open your heart and share your stories in the class. You will find others attractive when you are exposed to them, because you know them better as friends. The class teaches me to be open-minded with others all the time in the future and broaden my horizon in a diverse environment. As an international student, although there are a lot of writing assignment throughout the quarter, I enjoy writing my stories and experience like a storyteller. Also, I don't have to worry about my writings will be graded on the grammar things, which is a definitely justice for non-native speakers. -YZ

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