Help Teruko to be FinishEd.D

My name is Teruko, a ratchetdemic, activist, poet, former foster youth in my final semester at Georgia State University in the Doctorate of Education program. Education has been my way out of the streets and my salvation. It has truly given me the opportunity to grow, survive, and thrive. I used to believe the only way I would leave Hunters Point was in shackles or a body bag.

 

I’ll never forget my mom begging me to finish high school—that was all she wanted since she dropped out of 8th grade, but here I am 6 months away from my Doctorate in Education! Never would have believed it would be me! #TattedRatchet&Educated

 

I am currently an assistant principal focusing in equity, social justice, and ensuring my students are advocates and abolitionist thinkers and doers.

 

My dissertation’s focus is Black on Black school discipline: Double consciousness and the perspective of disciplining your own. My study examines how Black school leaders either dismantle or perpetuate anti-black discipline practices based on their internalized oppressive believes that we must “harden” and “prepare” Black students to be harmed and marginalized in our world. This leads to us feeling like we have to give them consequences early to prevent them becoming a hashtag later. Through my arts-based phenomenology, I plan to leverage poetry as a way to crystallize the themes that rise to the top.

 

Also, important to note that my cap and gown is over $500–who would have known! You never notice the little taxes and fees and minor charges until you’re debating between tuition or light bill.

 

While, I understand my privilege as a Black educated professional and homeowner, no one taught me about the ins and out of financial aid and the impacts of student loans. I’ve run out of federal support and must pay this last semester out of pocket. While I had a full ride to Berkeley, I am over $150,000 in debt from both masters and portion of this doctorate degree. I have been saving in preparation to pay student loans off starting in May 2022, but I was not prepared to pay out of pocket these last two semesters.

 

I dipped into my savings account and worked diligently to pay last semester, but I believe in paying it forward! I know there are people out here who have been blessed by others and could afford to make this terminal degree real for me! I know one day, I will be Dr. Teruko Dobashi-Taylor-Francis donating and assisting others to meet their financial needs, but right now I am asking for your support, empathy, and love.

 

If you know me, you know I’m humble and wouldn’t ask if I truly didn’t need it. I appreciate your love, encouragement, and all these years of believing and accepting the authentic me!

 

Love, Light, Liberation,

 

Teruko