Blog Post #11: Day Fifteen (FINAL REFLECTION)

 Day 15

"Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in 

people's lives." - Michelle Obama

Today is day 15 of my Hawken Project and it is the final day. I can't believe that I've finally 

made it to the end of my journey! I have finally created my preliminary draft of the African-

American Studies Program. It is a bittersweet feeling as I am proud of the work that I've 

accomplished in the past 15 days, but sad because the period is coming to a close. However,

while the Hawken Project period may be over, my work on this project doesn't have to end 

right here. As I've said in my previous post, there is so much that can still be done 

throughout the semester! But for right now, I want to share my reflection on the work that I 

have been able to accomplish for my Hawken Project with you!

Essential Questions:

The essential questions that I proposed at the beginning of my Hawken Project were "How 

can I create a program that truly captures the rich narratives of African-American people

while forming a structured curriculum that covers various topics in a timely manner?" and 

"How can the program be structured in a way where students can be engaged and continue

the learning outside of class?" To answer this question, I consulted with my outside reader,

Dr. Meredith Gadsby (an Associate professor of Africana Studies at Oberlin College) and

asked her questions about her background with teaching Africana Studies on a 

predominantly non-POC college, how she balanced out the trauma of the Black community

with joy, and how to create an environment that prompts the student to stay engaged and 

continue the learning outside of class. Dr. Gadsby then used some of her personal 

experiences and some of the content that she uses in her courses to elaborate on my 

questions and explain how she approaches them. During that conversation, one of the 

biggest takeaways and pieces of advice that I used when shaping my courses is to "Sculpt

what you can manage, remember what you want students to learn or takeaway from this,

pace the courses (don't read two emotionally heavy stories back-to-back), and focus on the 

tone (what narratives do you want your students to know and understand?)." If I didn't keep,

these four pieces of advice in mind when I created the courses, I don't think that the final 

result would have turned out like the one that I have currently, that I would have met 

my goal during this process, and overall would be happy or satisfied with the courses. So,

after that Zoom call and consulting with other teachers at Hawken School and Dr. Adam

Bradley (Professor of UCLA) for more recommendations for specific courses in the program,

I begin implementing the feedback, advice, and suggestions that were made by Dr. Gadsby.

Final Product for Hawken Project

The draft for the program features five different courses that have a focus on 

numerous themes that connect core classes like English, History, the Arts, and Science 

together. The themes will examine different time periods and eras chronologically, like 

Reconstruction, the Jim Crow Era, the Civil Rights Era, and the Second Jim Crow Era, and 

compare and connect it with what is currently happening in the present. The courses will 

use excerpts from multiple books, clips from different films, and episodes from television 

shows and documentaries as materials that vary for each of the course. I made sure to 

include a variety of material and by that I mean a mix in material that is heavy in content, 

light in content, and an equal mixture of both so that there is a balance between trauma 

and joy. In addition to this, the courses are going to be dedicated to making an 

environment where discussions about certain topics (mild to controversial) are used as a 

learning and growing space for students to better understand the course topics and also 

the Black narrative more. Weekly journaling will also be required for each course to 

encourage students growth and reflection on topics that they will encounter in the course, 

connect these ideas and themes with different events or things that happen today, and 

essentially continue their learning outside of school! 

Conclusion

My experience with this project has been a very fun and rewarding one to say the least. I 

remember that before I started this project, I knew what I wanted the end goal to be, but

I didn't know exactly how I would get there. I had a list of topics, materials, and purpose for

the AA Studies Program itself. However, I had never created a course (better yet five 

courses!) before. So, this was a learning experience for me that really opened my eyes to 

see what it takes to build a course and the endless possibilities that go along with it. I think

my favorite part of this process was just building upon the ideas for course themes after my

meeting with Dr. Gadsby and conversations with the teachers and Dr. Bradley. Once I had

an idea for a course theme, I ran with it and let my imagination run free! 

To the juniors and seniors who have decided to take on a Hawken Project or even for those 

who aren't sure what you want to do yet, my advice to you is that whatever you choose to 

pursue (whether it be in the Arts, Science, Math, etc.), make sure that it is something that

you are truly passionate about and are willing to put the time and effort into. For me, 

there was no mundane day on this project and I came in everyday ready to work and 

explore the possibilities for this idea that I have wanted to work on for over a year. I 

loved every second, minute, and hour that I spent on this project and if I had to do it over 

again, I wouldn't change a single thing that I did! 

 

Before I close out my blog for my Hawken Project, there are a couple of people that I would

like to thank and share my appreciation for. First, I would like to give much thanks to my 

mentor, Mr. Weiskopf. Mr. W, thank you so much for the endless support and 

encouragement that you have given me since day one. Thank you so much for the 

insightful conversations that we've shared and for joining me to explore a new possibility

and future for Hawken School's curriculum. Secondly, I would like to give a huge thanks to 

Dr. Gadsby, Dr. Bradley, Mr. Komocki, and Dr. Ialacci for lending me suggestions for my 

courses and sharing your wealth of knowledge on certain topics to help me to make these 

courses as engaging as possible with the content that will be covered in each. And last, but 

not least, I would like to thank you, reader, for following me each and every week as 

I documented my journey creating my Hawken Project and taking a genuine interest in 

my work!