Joseph Suina, associate professor of the UNM College of Education, received this month's Faculty Acknowledgement Award for his service and commitment to the education of teachers from multi-ethnic backgrounds.
In his award ceremony presentation Thursday at the Willard Reading Room in Zimmerman Library, "Conflict, Confusion and Astonishment," Suina talked about his teaching experiences both at UNM and in his native Cochiti Pueblo.
"Conflict, confusion and astonishment are what have ensued since the first encounter between native people and white men in this land 500 years ago," Suina said.
The award, given each month during the academic year, is the UNM General Library's way to honor University faculty, said Clara de la Cruz Watral, program manager of library development.
De la Cruz Watral added that the award recipients are nominated by the deans of their respective colleges for outstanding academic productivity.
"(Suina) is just a highly dedicated man who has devoted his life to the preparation of teachers," said Vi Florez, dean of the College of Education. "I would say it's his scholarship, teaching and service to the many communities he represents that make him most valuable to UNM."
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Each recipient is required to make a presentation during the award ceremony.
"I have personally found each one of these presentations very enlightening," de la Cruz Watral said.
Suina, who has published numerous articles and a book about teaching and teacher education, read from one of his papers and presented visual aids from the Cochiti Pueblo.
Suina used his presentation to relate to the crowd a story about his own studies as a child and how cultural ambiguity led to a misunderstanding about the scientific explanation of clouds and lightning.
"My grandmother had taught us how thunder and lightning brought the blessing of rain to the people," Suina said. "I couldn't understand why what my teacher said was so different."
He added that it's important for people, teachers in particular, to share experiences from native cultures with non-native communities.
"It helps to offer understanding," Suina said.
His presentation included several examples of teacher-student interactions that were based on his experiences as both.
"The value of the teacher cannot be overestimated," Suina said. "But at the same time, there's a special quality in the perceptive powers of children."
Suina told another story about a teacher who was having trouble handling some situations brought on by diversity in the classroom. She had to re-examine her perspectives for her own benefit, as well as that of the students, Suina said.
"Self awareness is very important in teaching. Especially in a multi-cultural environment," he said.
The ceremony concluded with the award presentation and a few words from Camila Alire, dean of Library Services.
"I've been here for three of these presentations and this will be one of the most memorable," Alire said. "I will remember it for the sense of family that (Suina) inspires. Family in his college, his university, his blood family, his tribal family and his friends."
