Gina Desai

Biography

Gina Desai (she/her/hers) started her career as an educator at the University of Arizona in Media Arts. She then taught all subjects at a Middle School in Downtown Phoenix for 11 years. She went on to be an Assistant Principal at 3 schools in both inner city Phoenix and Maryvale. She currently is the Assistant Chair for Reading in the English Department. She is also residential faculty in the dual areas of Reading and Mass Communication. She is a dedicated student-centered innovative educator, who applies an interdisciplinary approach to instruction through the areas of race, gender, and class within the context of the media. For the past 9 years, she has served as a Coordinator for the Diversity Committee. She is also the Secretary for the Arizona Association of Developmental Education and has invested interest in this area as she is an advocate for ALL students including under-resourced, and disenfranchised learners. She currently teaches a multitude of courses including RDG 100, CRE 101, MCO 120, and MCO 220. She is a content expert in Developmental Education as well as Mass Media.

Her instructional philosophy is based upon the value of intentional teaching, maintaining high standards, and making a strong connection with all students to ensure that their affective needs are met. She believes that all students can succeed and prides herself on being a guide to help students achieve their full potential. Forming a relationship with her students is a key component of her instructional approach. She wholeheartedly subscribes to James Comer's 1995 tenet that states "No significant learning happens without a significant relationship." Being a buddy to the student is not the goal. However, building quality mentoring relationships allows the student to feel safe, comfortable, and confident with the instructor. Gina Desai advocates for all instructors to create this type of learning environment built on a community of care for the student.

Throughout her career, Gina Desai has provided faculty professional development through numerous presentations on student engagement, developmental education; diversity, equity, and inclusion at local, regional, and national conferences. Gina Desai holds a Bachelor's degree in Media Arts and a Master's degree in Media Theory and Criticism with an emphasis in Gender and Cultural Studies from the University of Arizona. She also holds Master's Level Certificates in Education and Administration.

Empowering students to be successful and culturally competent is her primary mission. She looks forward to each interaction with her students and grows as an educator through the experience.

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