Research/Report
Author(s): Janise Hurtig, DePaul University
In this reflective essay, the author shares three lessons the students in their GED class have taught them that are relevant to, but also extend beyond, the current national context. These include lessons about the kind of content students prefer to study, lessons about balancing the teaching of students’ civil and human rights with a consideration of current realities, and lessons about how to create a learning space that is not only safe but also joyful and supportive. Before embarking on that discussion, however, the author notes that while the narrative focuses on their experiences working primarily with immigrants and refugees, these lessons are applicable to any and all adult learners who occupy marginalized positions in our society.