prose.
essays, academic articles, blog posts and other musings
“To Open Eyes”: Community Literacies, Radical Democracy, and a Pedagogy Presence at Black Mountain College, 1933–1957
This article examines the transformative educational practices and demo- cratic ethos of Black Mountain College, an experimental institution ahead of its time. Drawing on insights from scholars like Rhea Estelle Lathan and Susan Kates, Muir positions Black Mountain as a site of community literacies, by prioritizing democratic engagement, diversity, and experiential learning.
Creating Community as Contemplative Practice
In the pursuit of fostering vibrant and inclusive learning environments, this article explores how the practice of community-building can be a contemplative practice.
contemplative pedagogy for health and well-being in a trauma filled world
This article argues that we are living in a climate where trauma is taxing students and teachers alike. In order to teach and learn in this moment, we recommend and explore a variety of contemplative practices to help teach awareness and kind attention. Some of these practices involve writing and others don’t, as writing itself can be a source of anxiety and stress. We out- line practices and share personal anecdotes regarding an approach toward teaching writing that redefines terms such as rigor and success in more com- passionate and health-focused ways.