Re-envisioning Contemplative Pedagogy Through Self-Study

Authors

  • Sabrina D MisirHiralall Montclair State University

Abstract

Contemplative pedagogy focuses on creating a sense of presence within educators to effectively educate the whole person through mindfulness in teaching.  Initial components to the way I employ contemplative pedagogy developed as I engaged in a self-study.  Loughran (2004, 9) states, “The use of the term self-study is used in relation to teaching and researching practice in order to better understand: oneself; teaching; learning; and, the development of knowledge about these.”  I aim to understand myself as an educator in order to teach effectively.  The foundational framework that develops through my self-study may interest those who are unfamiliar with the terrain of contemplative pedagogy.  The contemplative pedagogical components of the way I teach undergo consistent inquiry through an ongoing self-study.

Author Biography

Sabrina D MisirHiralall, Montclair State University

Sabrina D. MisirHiralall defended her dissertation De-Orientalized Pedagogy: Educating Non-Hindus About Hinduism Through Kuchipudi Indian Classical Hindu Dance in the Pedagogy and Philosophy program at Montclair State University in 2015.  Sabrina focuses on how she uses Kuchipudi Indian classical Hindu dance to educate non-Hindus about Hinduism with postcolonial realities in mind.  Sabrina aims to develop a de-Orientalized postcolonial pedagogy to confront Orientalism and the long legacy of colonization.  

Through the guidance of her dance guru, Sabrina completed her RangaPravesam, which means to “ascend the stage.”  The RangPravesam marked the start of her dance career.  She had the lead role in Krishnarpanam and holds the title of Natya Tilakam, which was given to her by dance guru, Smt. Sadhana Paranji.  She was the solo featured performance in Contemplative Kuchipudi Dance at Montclair State University in April 2013.  

Sabrina taught second grade in Bayonne, New Jersey and also worked as a consultant for New Jersey City University’s Striving Readers Grant.  Also at NJCU, she taught undergraduate education classes, supervised student teachers, taught graduate students of the NOYCE fellowship program, and taught for the Philosophy and Religion department.  She taught philosophy courses as well as student success courses part-time at Middlesex County College.  In fact, Sabrina received the Adjunct Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award 2015 from MCC. She currently teaches Philosophy of Education and History of American Education at Montclair State University. 

Sabrina is often invited to lecture and dance in higher education as she presents on Hinduism with postcolonialism in mind.  She is a member of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, the American Education Research Association, the Philosophy of Education Society, and the American Academy of Religion.  She is a Board Member of the Society for the Study of Women Philosophers and the New England Philosophy of Education Society.  She currently serves as President on the Executive Board of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Academy of Religion.

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Published

31-12-2016

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2016): Pushing boundaries of professional learning

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2016 Sabrina D MisirHiralall

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