November 21, 2021

(HOUSTON, TX) - GCSW Alums Ramsha Momin (MSW '21) and Nina Tahija (MSW '21) co-authored a research paper titled Teaching and Learning During and After COVID-19: Lessons Learned from the Social Work Classroom with Assistant Professor Quenette Walton in the Journal of Teaching of Social Work. 

The research paper aims to provide "the observations of two MSW students and their instructor within the context of the global pandemic of COVID-19 to more closely examine how this pandemic impacted their learning and teaching experiences in synchronous classroom instruction."

We spoke to Ramsha and Nina about the process of collaborating with a faculty member on an important topic that directly considered their perspectives as students. 

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Name: Ramsha Momin
Program at GCSW and Graduation Year: (MSW '21)
Pronouns: she/hers

Congrats on co-authoring a social work publication. How did this collaboration come about between you, Dr. Walton, and Nina?

Nina and I were in Dr. Walton's class during the pandemic. As the pandemic began, we started having more and more conversations about how it affected students' learning and education. Dr. Walton then decided to write a paper on it as it may be helpful for many people struggling with this topic and asked for volunteers. Nina and I decided to volunteer and have been collaborating on the paper since then. 

What about the co-authoring process did you find the most valuable to your growth as a social worker?

Learning to work in a team environment where all of our voices were valuable and heard was one of the most valuable experiences during this process. It made me realize that although I may be a student, my perspective and knowledge are invaluable and deserves to be heard. This experience has also helped me grow as a social worker to advocate for myself and my needs as I started my job search and sought a job that was a good fit for me. 

Why is it important to focus research on how faculty teaching social work had to adjust during a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic?

This topic was essential for us because of its unforeseen impact on many teachers and students during the pandemic. Not all students were able to learn effectively through an online platform, and not all teachers felt like they could share their knowledge efficiently through an online platform. It is more important than ever to share and discuss accurate information, and a class is the best way to do that. As we continued having online courses, we thought of how to make it more effective for both students and teachers and address the shortcomings of online education; thus, the paper began. 

Who is someone that inspires you? Why?

My parents are my inspiration. They are first-generation immigrants from India who have worked hard to provide me with the education and financial support I needed throughout my life. Seeing them work as hard as they did, even during turmoil such as the pandemic, inspired me to work just as hard.  

What drew you to continue your education in social work? 

I joined the GCSW to continue my education in mental health and social work and understand on a deeper level how these two subjects are intertwined. Furthermore, growing up as a first-generation immigrant, I noticed that mental health was not discussed and even forbidden to discuss as it was a shameful topic. Through my education, I learned that mental health is not something to be ashamed about, and by spreading knowledge, I could de-stigmatize mental health in the South Asian community. Because of these things I chose social work as the perfect subject for me to study to understand, advocate for, and de-stigmatize mental health. 

Now that you have graduated with your MSW, what are some of your goals? 

It has been six months since I graduated, and now I currently have a job as a Fellow at the Petoskey Center, an Intensive Outpatient Program and private practice in the Houston area. I am presently taking patients at a reduced rate and will soon start a group on Values and Identity. I hope to be a resource to people looking for reduced-fee mental health services and support.  

Anything else you would like to share?

To current students at the GCSW: If you are interested in doing anything, such as research, go for it! Put the initiative in and watch your efforts blossom into a beautiful experience. I wish you all the best of luck in your journey!

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Name: Nina Tahija
Program at GCSW and Graduation Year: (MSW '21)
Pronouns: she/hers

Congrats on co-authoring a social work publication. How did this collaboration come about between you, Dr. Walton, and Ramsha? 

Thank you! In the summer of 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and teachers had not been captured in the literature. When I learned of Dr. Walton's research plan on this topic, I wanted to be involved because it is essential to reflect on this unique moment in time and inform others of our experiences and actionable steps to help others in similar circumstances. 

What about the co-authoring process did you find the most valuable to your growth as a social worker?

I was lucky enough to learn under Dr. Walton in her class when the pandemic started and observe how she adapted her curriculum to fit her students' needs, so it was a privilege to get to write about this experience with her and my cohort mate, Ramsha. I enjoyed the collaborative writing process and witnessing how diverse opinions can come together and produce much more outstanding results than each person's contribution. 

Why is it important to focus on how faculty reacted to teaching social work students through a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic? 

While we can hope that this pandemic is the last global crisis we will face, these events will likely occur again in the future. For institutions of higher learning to effectively meet the needs of students, teachers, and the larger community, we need to share our voices. This pandemic has highlighted the importance for institutions to have a technological infrastructure that can support effective online learning and address the disparity in online access for students. 

Who is someone that inspires you? Why?

Judith Hermann. Her work has expanded my understanding of the complexity involved for individuals whose trauma occurs multiple times over some time within the context of relationships. A quote from her work that always stayed with me is, "The core experiences of psychological trauma are disempowerment and disconnection from others. Recovery, therefore, is based upon the empowerment of the survivor and the creation of new connections." It reminded me that as helping professionals, we are coming into spaces with specific power and can unintentionally harm others and reinforce that power dynamic. It is so important to be mindful of this and use a trauma-informed lens in our work.

What drew you to continue your education in social work? 

While working in the mental health field has always been my passion, my decision to pursue the social work route emphasizes using a person-in-environment perspective and strengths-based practice.

Now that you have graduated with your MSW, what are some of your goals? 

I am currently completing a fellowship at The Council on Recovery and plan to obtain my LCSW. In the long term, I would like to pursue a doctoral degree to address barriers to the underutilization of mental health services within Asian communities and work with community-based agencies to improve access to services.