Anastasia Samaras in 3-D

Introduction
by Julian Kitchen

Anastasia Samaras has been a leading member of the Self-Study of Teacher Education community for decades! Her books, notably Self-Study for Teacher Educators: Crafting a Pedagogy for Educational Change and Self-Study of Teaching Practices Primer (with Anne R. Freese) have guided many new practitioners/scholars in our field. Anastasia embodies the collaborative spirit of self-study through her work with students and faculty, her promotion of polyvocal research across George Mason University, and her international partnerships. Her work on transdisciplinary and polyvocal professional learning with Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan has widened the scope of self-study. Yet, Anastasia is modest about her accomplishment as she generously and graciously supports her many friends, as well as newcomers to self-study.

1st Dimension: Teacher Education
by Courtney Katharine Baker, George Mason University

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As a former student and current colleague it is only fitting to speak of Anastasia’s teacher educator influence via metaphor. Like the parallel strands of this Celtic knot, Anastasia is a true critical friend, always by your side in the journey of learning and knowing - questioning, guiding and probing as you explore and extend your boundaries. Each twist of rope represents the multiple directions of conversations that may initially center on scholarship but eventually turn towards comfortable conference shoes, yoga or other topics creating synergy between your identities. The vibrant green speaks to her inner aura which exudes positive energy. From congratulatory emails to champagne toasts, Anastasia is the first to celebrate you. Most importantly, Anastasia’s influence on others is infinite as she fosters creativity, empowers one’s sense of self, all the while growing a relationship.

2nd Dimension: Scholarship
by Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Anastasia P. Samaras: A pedagogical scholar for transformative change A pedagogical scholar Using arts, innovating, dialoguing Making self-study accessible For transformative change Using arts, innovating, dialoguing Learning by leading For transformative change In transdisciplinary communities Learning by leading Nourishing wholehearted living In transdisciplinary communities Through co-creative play Growing a global design Making self-study accessible Looking back and looking forward A pedagogical scholar

3rd Dimension: Community
by Linda Fitzgerald, University of Northern Iowa

Anastasia builds community! Going beyond “critical friend” to “complementary colleagues,” she brings together students and faculty of self-study across disciplinary boundaries, not just inter-disciplinary, but trans-disciplinary, and, of course, inter-national too! As an early childhood educator at heart, she knows that play is a most effective way to learn. By riding the carousel at Brighton Beach on a Castle Conference Day Out, dancing as a way to analyze data or with a group in the Castle Pub, and playing with ideas in presentations and papers, she practices what she preaches: that being playful with each other is the way to nourish our professional souls. Co-creating with colleagues around the world, Anastasia is a “polyvocal” contributor to the growth of arts-based methods of data generation, collection, analysis and presentation. If you only know her from her excellent publications, you need to make a point of meeting Anastasia at a conference and joining the community -- playfully!

The Last Word
by Anastasia P. Samaras, George Mason University

Cherished Colleagues—Julian, Courtney, Kathleen, and Linda—have each kindly captured central components of my being: my collective scholarship, playing with self-study method, and the co-creativity which I believe is essential to changing the status quo of education.  I published my first self-study in 1998 with the support of Gary Knowles and Ardra Cole. Bob Bullough graciously reviewed a draft of my first self-study book. I recognized that I was entering into a unique professional learning community of mentorship and reciprocal mentorship. It’s what we do so well. I had the passion to enact self-study research, but I could never have done it alone. It was the indispensable support I received from S-STEP and from Mason, including what I learned from colleagues outside of teacher education, that  made it all possible.  Thank you!

Self-study scholar and leader
Mentoring and learning 
From my amazing students
From my courageous colleagues
Co-designing transdisciplinary self-study research
Unique transcendent portal for professional growth
For classroom teachers, teacher educators, and other professionals
Co-creating with novice and advanced
Grateful for Mason and S-STEP
A bold community 
Of doers and inventors
Self-study scholars and leaders