Lessons from Learning
From art books at nine years old to test preparation materials today, self-teaching experiences equip me with a nuanced understanding of the rewards and frustrations of the learning process. Attending Bryn Mawr College was particularly transformative for me, because I experienced education barriers firsthand; I was forced to identify gaps and scaffold information independently to keep up with coursework. Experiencing unavoidable obstacles, I also learned how to accept that lived experiences impact the learning process. The deeper I delved into my sociology major, the more interested I became in bridging education gaps to forward the development of critical thinking and civic education for all education levels.
Refinement through Practice
If you knew me in college, you knew I was always employed. Every semester. Every summer. Multiple jobs. Working sustains me—not just financially—but intellectually. Internships served as evidence that I was proficient at the skills I acquired independently. They were also instrumental to the development of my professional identity, allowing me to understand how the most fulfilling tasks mapped onto real-world contexts. My experiences with educational-service nonprofits fueled my passion for instructional and graphic design. When I worked as a paralegal for two years, I also realized my knack for technical training and ability to be accommodate different attitudes towards learning.
Refinement through Practice
We are socialized to believe that “real” education only happens in classrooms during structured times. I aim to empower individuals to seek out and acquire information at their own pace and on their own terms. I enjoy projects that challenge me to make everyday learning engaging while reaching non-traditional audiences and settings. My passion lies in understanding identity, human ecologies, and social empathy. I plan to deepen my knowledge of instructional design theory through studying sociocognitive perspectives on learning and developmental psychology. This foundation helps refine my educational philosophy and enable me to scale impactful projects.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
~ Lao Tzu
D. M. Cadet 