Alison Templer Teran

Just thought I’d give you an update as to where I am almost 11 years after graduating from the Women’s Studies program.  After graduating I worked for the City of Windsor Social Services Department for about one and half years.  In the next three years I got married and had three babies, which is certainly an ongoing adventure, and did some part-time work with Family Respite Services and the Windsor Public Library.  

 

As you know, I then went back to school to complete my Master of Social Work degree and somehow made it through!  After graduating I took a few months off to spend time with my children and then accepted a position with Chatham Kent Children’s Services briefly as a child protection worker and subsequently with their children’s mental health department for approximately a year and a half.  I am presently working as a social worker here in Windsor with Children First, an agency working with families with children birth to six who have developmental and/or mental health challenges.

 

Throughout it all I have benefited greatly from my grounding in the education I received completing my degree in Women’s Studies.  In my experience, Women’s Studies, more than any other educational program I have completed has helped shape my ability to critically analyze issues around social inequality, particularly gender dynamics.  In the field of social work, this is of critical importance, as I have found gender inequality as well as other social inequalities are still shockingly apparent and have profound impacts for many of the families I currently work with, predominantly single mothers and children.

 

I have found the philosophy and values promoted by Women’s Studies are genuinely reflected in the treatment of both students in the program and within the Windsor community at large.  In other words, it is inspiring to be taught by people who ”practice what they preach.”  I love the program’s emphasis on “finding your voice” and acting on what you learn.  I still try to take that with me in my professional and private life though, of course, this is a life-long process, I’m sure!

 

I hope you and everyone at Women’s Studies are well and wish you all the best.

 

Alison Templer Teran

B.A. Psychology and Women’s Studies (2000), M.S.W. (2008)