It is a very special time of year for everyone to celebrate and give thanks. In The Et Cetera’s corner, we are taking the time to appreciate yet another teacher, Eastfield’s own Professor Rowan Steineker. Steineker is a history instructor, who started at the University of Oklahoma for her graduate degree. She has since taught at the University of Central Oklahoma, Florida Gulf Coast University and, now, Dallas College.
Q: What is your favorite subject to teach within history?
A: I particularly like focusing on people and events that have commonly gone overlooked. For example, in some of my classes, I ask students to research advertisements of runaway enslaved people in Texas from the 1840s to 1860s. Had these individuals not had the courage to try to escape enslavement, there would be little documentation of their lives. When students dig further into the historical evidence, they can discover a lot of information about the history of slavery, Texas and the United States.
Q: How true is the saying “History repeats itself”?
A: Honestly, I have never loved this phrase because it seems to make people feel powerless. History certainly echoes itself and we can see broad patterns across time, but nothing is inevitable. Anything and anyone has the potential to change the course of history. We should learn the lessons of the past and strive to do better as we move forward.
Q: What are some key takeaways you want your students to get from your classes?
A: Understanding history is important to being an informed citizen. On a more practical level, though, the skills we practice in history classes are valuable ones that any student can apply in their careers. Being able to think critically, research and analyze evidence, collaborate, write and speak in front of others are all in-demand skills by employers.
Q: Any parting words for our readers?
A: Learning and skill-building are supposed to be challenging, but it is easy to get stuck along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support when you need it!
