Dr. Scott Richardson

This edition of Who Makes Millersville Special features Dr. Scott Richardson, assistant professor of educational foundations.

Q: Where are you originally from?
 Reading, Pa.

Q: What motivated you to pursue a career in education?
I’ve always viewed education as an important opportunity to become involved with social justice; I wanted to be a part of that. Having grown up in Reading, across from the projects, I understood the impact a good education might have on students, families and communities.

Q: From what school(s) have you earned your degree(s)?
 I earned my bachelor’s in education from Millersville, and a master’s and doctorate in education, specializing in curriculum theory, from the University of Delaware.

Q: Why did you select Millersville as a student?
There were two factors. My father and aunt (and subsequently my sister, brother-in-law and partner) attended Millersville. It’s a family tradition, but also because it had the best reputation for teacher education in the state of Pennsylvania.

Q: What was your favorite class while a student at Millersville? Why?
I love this question. My favorite class as a student was EDFN 211: Foundations of Modern Education. Now, I’m lucky to teach it! This class gave me the opportunity to confront many of the antiquated traditions, inequities, and problems that have plagued schools in the U.S. It deeply impacted my teaching, and I hope it helps my students to become sophisticated in their ability to understand the complexities of teaching.

What is your favorite class to teach at Millersville? Why?
This is tough to answer. I love them all. My EDFN 211: Foundations of Modern Education course is completely fun because I get to challenge everything my students know about schools. EDFN 312: Women and Education, which I teach over the winter, is a very popular course and I get to geek out about sexuality and gender (one of my primary research areas). EDFN 511: Comparative Education gets students to examine the educational systems of other countries, which is just fascinating. I’m truly lucky to teach these courses.

Q: How did it feel when you became a professor at Millersville after graduating from the school yourself?
Honestly, it was difficult. When I attended Millersville as a student, I was shocked by the lack of diversity on campus. I was also concerned that many students (particularly the LGBTQIA community) felt marginalized. When I came back as a faculty member, I recognized there to be some progress, but not as much as I hoped.

Q: Is there a specific topic of education that you are passionate about?
There are many. But my biggest focus right now is thinking about how schools unnecessarily teach students how to perform gender within the antiquated gender binary. Meaning, how schools create a culture where students can only act in very specific ways according to the “rules” of femininity and masculinity. I wrote a book about this (see related article under news in this edition of the Exchange).

Q: You are taking a group of students to Northern Ireland and Paris this summer. What is the purpose of these trips for students?
I teach different classes in each location. Each of these classes, however, helps to expose students to new understandings within foreign cultures, as well as developing a deeper sense of their home communities in the U.S. Studying abroad significantly impacts students’ experiences, and I hope to continue to be able to offer programs like this, including in new locations—I’m playing around with the idea to go to Bermuda next winter, would love to go to Japan (I lived there), and elsewhere! If students are interested, so am I!

Q: What does the agenda for Northern Ireland and Paris entail?
The trip to Northern Ireland includes a tour of cities (like Belfast and Dublin), beautiful remote locations, and historically and culturally significant locations. We study the Protestant/Catholic conflict, and spend a significant time in amazing schools that concentrate on peacemaking. Paris is totally different. I’m teaching a class titled “Philosophies of Love and Sexuality: Paris Style.” So, we’ll be studying love and sex in one of the most romantic cities in the world! We’ll make use of the Louvre, Pantheon, parks, cafes, Pont de l’Archeveche (the “love lock bridge”), the red light district, an erotic museum (that boasts a great collection on the history of Paris brothels) and more.

Q: Is there anything fun planned during the student’s down time?
I build in a lot of down time—but, I have to say, I think the classes I offer build in unique and fun experiences. Down time is necessary because it allows students to see and explore things they want to learn.

Q: How do you want students to remember you?
As someone who provoked them to think.

Q: What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to travel with my family, read and write.

Q:  Do you have a favorite quote?
I have several. But this one has been rattling in my head a lot these days: “It is…advisable that the teacher should understand, and even be able to criticize, the general principles upon which the whole educational system is formed and administered. He is not like a private soldier in an army, expected merely to obey, or like a cog in a wheel, expected merely to respond to and transmit external energy; he must be an intelligent medium of action.” –John Dewey

Q: What is something you absolutely need to get through your day?
Time with my kids, Mali and Maria. They teach me the greatest lessons about life.