Reetika Khanna joins Salli for a powerful and deeply reflective conversation about what it truly means to be an educator. Reetika shares her journey from never wanting to teach to discovering the profound meaning behind education through philosophy, reflection, and connection.
Drawing on Martin Heidegger’s concept of Dasein, she explores the question, “Who am I when I teach?”, and how understanding ourselves as educators can transform how we connect with students.
Together, Reetika and Salli discuss what it means to show up authentically in the classroom, especially for international students navigating new and often isolating experiences. They speak candidly about the importance of admitting mistakes, finding humanity in teaching, and creating communities where meaningful conversations can unfold.
This episode also touches on the realities of being an educator today, including teacher layoffs, burnout, and the emotional labor of showing up fully for others. Reetika leaves us with powerful advice for new educators: embrace imperfection, stay reflective, and remember that being human is such a precious
thing.#education #academia #philosophy #dasein #highereducation #teaching #inspiration #adjunct
