By Henry Nickerson | Staff Writer
While strolling through the offices of second floor McAuley, as one does, you may have noticed a new face in office 203A. That face belongs to Dr. Tracy Pelkowski, the newest member of Salve’s education department. So what do we know about Dr. Pelkowski? We know she taught education at University of Pittsburg for five years before accepting her newest position.
Pelkowski says that she does not regret her decision to come to Newport, as she already enjoys working at Salve.
“Their philosophy that focuses on socio-constructivist and theories of education fit exactly my own,” she says. “It seemed like a great fit.”
Before teaching at Pitt, Dr. Pelkowski completed her undergrad at Pennsylvania State and taught middle school and high school in Pittsburg’s public school district, which proved to be an eye opening experience for her.
“I grew up in a very sheltered middle-class suburb in Eerie, Pennsylvania, so I wanted to teach in an urban area,” said Dr. Pelkowski. “I was like a deer in headlights.”
She then went on to attend University of Pittsburg for her Master’s and Ph.D., focusing on policies toward low-performing schools, and writing her dissertation on the topic of culturally responsive pedagogy. She says that she wants to better prepare teachers like herself for the experience of working in an urban setting.
Here at Salve, Dr. Pelkowski teaches core curriculum education classes and takes part in the Tutoring and Mentoring Multicultural Society. The Tutoring and Multicultural Society allows students the opportunity to take a weekly class with her, and tutor students at Rogers High School.
“It’s a great way to prepare students to teach in diverse context, and still do the inner-identity work necessary to teach,” she says.
When her time at Salve comes to end, Dr. Pelkowski hopes to have prepared students to be critically conscious of educators able to work efficiently in diverse context, to have kept up with her research of culturally responsive educators, and ultimately to have achieved educational equity.
Outside of her passion for education, Dr. Pelkowski has worked and minored in professional modern dance.
“When I was researching Salve, I was really excited to see they had a dance team,” she says. “My first career was dancing, so it’s something I love to do.” In addition to dancing, Dr. Pelkowski enjoys outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, and being on the water. ”
Everyone at Salve has been lovely and open, very professional and down to earth,” she says. “I’m very glad to be here.”
Well, right back attcha, Dr. Pelkowski!
