Faculty Reflective Practice in a Postsecondary Interpersonal Communications Course with Indigenous Alaska Native First-Generation Students

This paper provides a practical model of John Dewey’s reflective practice to support post-secondary faculty in gaining insight into authentic applications for solving issues in collegiate classrooms. Issues are thoughtfully and thoroughly examined to clarify relevant aspects accurately and brought into focus. Perceived reasons for the problems are evaluated with the reality of professional boundaries in place. Reasons for the problems are explored. Supporting research reveals three significant barriers: content barriers, self-reflection techniques, and lack of knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing. Decisions are made based on real-world experiences coupled with research. Considerations for the battle of academic Chronos time versus Indigenous Kairos time are addressed along with validation of reduction of assessments and culturally relevant pedagogy that honors indigenous instructional design to support Indigenous Alaska Native first-generation student success in a general education communications course. The paper provides a framework to reinforce post-secondary instructors’ professional growth and maturity.