Photo Credit : Rae Holtsbaum
Retirements and Fond Farewells
Dr . Meredith Cherland In her tribute to Meredith presented at the farewell celebration on Thursday , May 26th , Dr . Carol Schick outlined Meredith ’ s career : “ Meredith ’ s career has been a long and remarkable journey , beginning as classroom teacher in the United States before moving to Canada with her partner , Carl . In 1975 , she taught for the Regina Public Board of Education , and in 1978 began her career at the University of Regina as a sessional lecturer , and a few years later as a permanent contract . In 1990 , supported by a doctoral Fellowship from SSHRC , Meredith earned her doctorate at Arizona State University on the topic of “ Girls and Reading : Children , Culture and Literacy Experience .” Her career has proceeded with the many publications , books , conferences , and invited lectures that define a successful academic life . She became full professor in 1995 at a time on campus when this was even rarer for women than it is today . She was also Associate Dean from 1997 to 2002 , an innovator of centres ( such as the Centre for Teaching and Learning ), the Middle Years focus in the Elementary Education program , and a receiver of numerous awards .”
Dr . Schick spoke of a visible theme in Meredith ’ s career , saying “ Of the themes that might
18 describe Meredith ’ s outstanding career , the most obvious are her advocacy for social justice and her exemplary abilities as a teacher . Meredith has taught courses related to language arts in its many forms , including advocacy research in literacy education . Her work involves enabling people to use literacy to undermine and counter systems of dominance and unequal social and political power .”
Meredith , reflecting on her career , says : “ One joy of 33 years with the Faculty of Education has been acquiring an understanding of important changes in teacher education over time . When I came to the Faculty in 1978 , we were teaching the technical skills , strategies , and classroom management techniques a beginning teacher needs . As I leave in 2011 , we are just as interested in helping young people learn to teach for a better world . We are more aware of how society produces curriculum , and of how White privilege advantages some children and disadvantage others . We ’ re graduating teachers who care more , and who do less harm . Well done !”