“Keep Affolter”

Last fall I had the tremendous benefit of arriving on this campus and beginning my Middlebury journey in the classroom of Visiting Assistant Professor of Education Studies Tara Affolter. I was immediately challenged in numerous ways to critically analyze the complexities of systems of oppression and seriously investigate how education can serve as a tool to disrupt those oppressions. Affolter created a respectful learning environment in which the investigation of ‘privilege’ could honestly be pursued. In many ways, the class grew from being confronted with the discomfort of recognizing that none of us were normal, even if as a result of others being silenced we were led to believe so. Through being provoked to gain awareness of how each of our stories were simply one among many, we were able to validate everyone’s lived experiences and ensure that there was room carved out for each of us to learn from the ways in which we are situated in the world. Affolter’s actions epitomize an inclusive classroom, something for which all of our professors must strive.

Since Affolter’s visiting status indicates that she is to leave come the end of the academic year, I am writing on behalf of the Institutional Diversity Committee to demonstrate our firm conviction that keeping Affolter is imperative to Middlebury College’s diversity efforts. During her time here she has been an invaluable asset and resource affecting countless students in immeasurable ways. In the classroom she makes sure that she fairly addresses all students of every race, gender, sex, sexuality, ability, class and any other form of identity that is too often marginalized in the classroom. Outside of the classroom Affolter is a tremendous and dependable strength of support for many students and the various difficulties they have engaging in the College environment.

Affolter’s research efforts and work with the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity directly address difficult issues and specific ways in which our campus may appropriately deal with them. Her unrelenting passion for mindfully addressing diversity through anti-racist action and inclusive classrooms provide a precious asset to this campus. Her absence would leave a tremendous hole. The Institutional Diversity Committee advises that it is essential to retain faculty, especially Affolter, who have taken a lead in fostering a diverse community embodied by an atmosphere of respect.

Affolter’s contagious character brings excitement to the notion that we as aspiring teachers will carry a mark of her passion forever with us that will positively affect generations to come. Regardless of whether we seek licensure to formally teach in a classroom or we pursue any other path in life, as a result of her impact we will remain critical teachers and lively learners committed to social justice in all that we do. To say that Affolter has changed my life in drastic ways for the better is an understatement. The other members of the student body, who have been fortunate enough to engage in one of her classes, be supported by her outside of the classroom or know a friend who has been touched by her in many ways, could not agree more.

I invite everyone to please read through and contribute to the numerous passionate comments and signatures at go/keepaffolter (blogs.middlebury.edu/keepaffolter) which serve as testament to the student body’s support of this decision to keep Affolter as a vital component of the College. There are many powerful stories already posted and the more we collect the greater strength our voices will carry. Together we will be heard. As we strive to make this campus exhibit excellence in dealing with serious diversity issues, it is an absolute must that we go to whatever length necessary to keep Affolter.

Jay Saper ’13 is from East Lansing, Mich.