When I look back on my days as an education doctoral student, I see my experience as a Flyer as the foundation of what I do — and who I am as an educator. And it started from the first day I stepped on campus.
One of my first classes was taught by Dr. Joe Watras, who passed away in 2016. I am forever grateful for his strong voice and how he stood up for me as an adviser, mentor and friend.
Dr. Watras wrote a book, The Foundations of Educational Curriculum and Diversity: 1565 to the Present, which I included in my scholarship numerous times because he spoke about the historical aspects of Native American students and their values.
Now, as a tenured professor of international business in the Katz School of Business at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, I have carried his guidance into my role as a professor.
When I first came to Fort Lewis in 2011, most of our students were white. Now, more than 54% of our students are people of color, and approximately 40% of those students are Native American.
The college is a former military fort turned federal Native American boarding school turned state public school. It awards more degrees to Native American students than any other four-year institution in the nation.
When I first started teaching, I noticed a large disparity between how my white and Native American students participated in class. The white students tended to raise their hands, speak their minds, negotiate assignment deadlines and challenge their grades.
The Native American students were generally more reserved. They highly value and respect the wisdom that comes with age.
I saw myself in them. As a young woman growing up in Japan, I was also reserved and quiet. The Japanese share similar cultural values with Native Americans — we rarely challenge authority and have the utmost respect for our elders.
To be more culturally sensitive, I changed a lot of my classroom practices and pedagogies to accommodate my students’ Native American culture and heritage. I try to highlight their strengths, encourage ideas and showcase hard work.
Last year, I took one outstanding Native American female leader to an academic conference. She presented her research in front of professors from across the nation and earned an award. I want to do for them as Dr. Watras did for me when he took me under his wing and encouraged me to present at conferences. When my student graduated in May 2023, she sent me a note:
“I cannot say that my time at Fort Lewis was always positive, but I am glad that I had someone to listen to me. You provide a safe and open environment for students. That itself is so meaningful and special.”
If Dr. Watras were alive, I know he would be proud of the approach I’ve taken with my students. And for that, I am so proud to be a Flyer.
Illustration by Zachary Ghaderi