Kirsten Olson - On Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot

The speaker shares their admiration for Dr. Sara Lawrence Lightfoot, the first woman of color to hold an endowed chair at Harvard University. They describe their first encounter with her during a famous course at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Lightfoot's teaching style, which emphasizes beauty, creativity, and the paradoxes of human learning, stands out in contrast to other courses. Her approach made a significant impact on the speaker, helping them find their place in graduate school and their professional life.

Who is the favorite teacher mentioned in the text?

What qualities did the speaker admire in their favorite teacher?

How did the speaker feel about their first day in the course taught by their favorite teacher?

What was the impact of the favorite teacher's teaching style on the speaker's perception of education?

In what way did the favorite teacher make room for the speaker in their professional life?