Emerging Immprof: Teaching and Learning

Immprofs Kayleen Hartman, Liz Keyes, Stella Burch Elias, Jill Family, Pooja Dadhania

The 5th Biennial Emerging Immigration Scholars Conference kicked off with a panel on teaching & learning innovations in immigration law.

The panel was moderated by Pooja Dadhania, who just finished her first year of tenure track teaching at California Western and earned teacher of the year in that period! Way to go Pooja!

Kayleen Hartman (Loyola LA) spoke about: (1) Emily Robinson’s bond project at Loyola LA , (2) Kayleen’s own removal defense practicum, and (3) Kayleen’s removal defense boot camp. It was amazing to hear about how both immprofs have been working to teach students to “fight from the back foot” in removal defense.

Liz Keyes (Baltimore) spoke about clinic design choices. She talked about focusing coursework on the unique needs of Baltimore’s student population. In addition, she urged folks to recognize that “we as clinicians cannot solve the representation crisis” but instead must value our teaching — training lawyers to go and do the work on their own.

Stella Burch Elias (Iowa) inspired us all with her work: (1) bringing practical skills and service to her immigration podium course and (2) creating an immigration symposium to meet the needs of the local immigration community. She also gave us the key to maintaining civility in a classroom that can become divided and divisive: “Remember, 10% of your grade is based on collegial participation.”

Finally, Jill Family (Widener) spoke about (1) integrating policy developments into immigration law (in-class policy presentations, policy prompts), (2) her intersession course offering an introduction to immigration law practice, and (3) developing local relationships to give students more options. I super loved her emphasis that students can have any policy focus they want as long as it’s supported with facts and reasons. There’s no better lesson for law students.

-KitJ