As a second-year education doctoral student at Teachers College, I, Catherine Cheng Stahl, took my first philosophy course with Professor David Hansen. This ‘philosophy of education’ course has transformed me, my thinking with regards to my own education, and my sense of self-trust in my own writing process. Here, I share the very last essay I wrote as part of my own philosophical journey—an essay that I believe provides the foundation for my own philosophy of education to guide me into the new decade.
Read moreWhat Makes a Teacher? Teacher as Learner, Guide, and Caregiver
This Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to give thanks to the many educators who have positively shaped my thinking, learning, and teaching at various stages of my life. I would not have had the courage or the motivation to pursue a profession in education, were it not for my own teachers. They ignited in me a love of learning and cultivated the right environment for me to experience growth. Thus, I devote this essay to my teachers and to my colleagues who are teachers.
Read moreUpdated Review of No-Show/Liner Socks for Flats, Heels, Loafers & Boots across the Seasons
Who knew that people care so much about socks? After learning that my most-read blog post so far was one about no-show socks, I decided to write an updated one. So, here is an updated comprehensive review of a variety of no-show socks, ranging from liner socks to toe-cover socks, for both casual and more dressy shoes. This is my honest review of a sock brand called Sheec—a brand I have wanted to try for some time and one that caters to both men and women.
Read moreWriting in Graduate School: Reflecting on the Art of Teaching
This is me, sharing one of my last papers written during my first year of graduate school at Teachers College, writing as Catherine Cheng. Here, I reflect on the tendency of teacher preparation programs to overemphasize practice rather than to provide a rich education that supports teachers in recognizing the aesthetics of teaching. I argue for a recognition of and, perhaps, a return to an “art” of teaching that takes into account the affective dimension and emotional labor of working with students.
Read moreCapturing Moments of an Intimate Wedding: My Search for a Local New York City Wedding Photographer
After many, many weeks post-wedding, I am finally sharing some of my favorite photographs capturing memories from our small wedding at The River Cafe under the Brooklyn Bridge. In this post, I also detail my journey in search for a budget-friendly local New York City (wedding) photographer. I reflect on my experience meeting with and later being photographed by Shelby Phillips on my big day. The end result has been a beautiful collection of photographs that my husband and I will treasure for the years to come. Thank you, Shelby.
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