Ugena Whitlock
frontporchprof.bsky.social
Ugena Whitlock
@frontporchprof.bsky.social
Professor, Boomer, Miata & Mini admirer, dog, cat, and elephant lover. Typewriter enthusiast, progressive southern democrat, writer, blogger. French Horn & Mellophone player.

Check out TheFrontPorchProfessor.com
Pinned
Here is my mood reflector, Bruno.
Reading and listening to Heather Cox Richardson every day is tough. I do it because SHE’S tough and challenges Americans to pay attention.
October 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Who didn’t see this coming?
Alaska would be fortunate if it was only a doubling: alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/23/a...
September 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
@housebudgetdems.bsky.social Please support the Affordable Care Act stipend
September 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
@senatebudget.bsky.social Please support the Affordable Care Act stipend!
September 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Today Bruno turns two! #Bulldogs #EnglishBulldogs
September 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Ugena Whitlock
Fuck.
NJ PBS shutting down next summer.

“15yrs ago Gov. Christie ended 4 decades of state funding for public TV, forcing them to find a new funder. The state cut $750k in funding this yr, but that was hardly the fatal blow; that came from the end of federal funds.”

newjerseyglobe.com/media/new-je...
New Jersey PBS shutting down in July - New Jersey Globe
New Jersey PBS is expected to cease operations in July 2026 following WNET's decision not to renew its agreement, the New Jersey Globe has learned. The
newjerseyglobe.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I call your boycott and raise you a boycott: Local TV Giants Boycott Jimmy Kimmel’s Return to Late Night www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/b...
Local TV Giants Boycott Jimmy Kimmel’s Return to Late Night
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Embracing Life Before Retirement: A Personal Journey

The author reflects on the transition toward a fulfilling life that feels akin to retirement, emphasizing joy in music, teaching, and relationships rather than a countdown to quitting work. Engaging in community activities and scholarly…
Embracing Life Before Retirement: A Personal Journey
The author reflects on the transition toward a fulfilling life that feels akin to retirement, emphasizing joy in music, teaching, and relationships rather than a countdown to quitting work. Engaging in community activities and scholarly invitations enriches their identity, highlighting a balance between life’s challenges and its joys. Embracing this new phase feels liberating.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
My New Journal Article IS Published!

The article "A Field in Flux: Notes from an Administrative Escapee," published in JAAACS, reflects on the challenges facing Curriculum Studies/Theory amid political and institutional changes. Combining personal insights and recent research, it examines the…
My New Journal Article IS Published!
The article "A Field in Flux: Notes from an Administrative Escapee," published in JAAACS, reflects on the challenges facing Curriculum Studies/Theory amid political and institutional changes. Combining personal insights and recent research, it examines the importance of returning to theoretical frameworks in a fragmented but crucial field.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
June 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
So This Is 61: Notes on Aging From the Inside Out

At 61, aging brings unexpected physical challenges and shifts in perspective. The author reflects on the bittersweet realities of growing older, including mortality and changing priorities. Embracing contentment, gratitude, and humor replaces the…
So This Is 61: Notes on Aging From the Inside Out
At 61, aging brings unexpected physical challenges and shifts in perspective. The author reflects on the bittersweet realities of growing older, including mortality and changing priorities. Embracing contentment, gratitude, and humor replaces the urgency of youth, revealing a deeper appreciation for life's simple joys and connections with loved ones.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Remembering the Teachers Who Inspired Me, Part 2

What I Learned From My Teachers From Part 1: There’s a lot we carry from our school days—the lessons that stick, the ones that shape us in ways we only realize years later. I’ve been thinking about the teachers who left a deep impression on me, and…
Remembering the Teachers Who Inspired Me, Part 2
What I Learned From My Teachers From Part 1: There’s a lot we carry from our school days—the lessons that stick, the ones that shape us in ways we only realize years later. I’ve been thinking about the teachers who left a deep impression on me, and how those early experiences continue to resonate as a quiet, steady presence in my life and work today.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
March 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I just subscribed to 5 Calls Newsletter!

buttondown.com/5calls
5 Calls Newsletter
The 5 Calls Newsletter breaks down what your representatives are voting on and what you can do to influence them. From your friends at 5 Calls
buttondown.com
March 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Sojourners Together: Supporting Students Through the Struggle

The post discusses the challenges faced by students in a Master's program for educators during online teaching, highlighting their struggles amid professional, personal, and educational demands, especially post-COVID-19. The author…
Sojourners Together: Supporting Students Through the Struggle
The post discusses the challenges faced by students in a Master's program for educators during online teaching, highlighting their struggles amid professional, personal, and educational demands, especially post-COVID-19. The author emphasizes the importance of connecting with students, fostering a supportive learning environment, and being present to ease their burdens, ultimately cultivating a culture of care.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Old Dog, New Tricks: How Online Teaching Rekindled My Passion for Teaching

Returning to online teaching rekindled my passion for education after a decade. Through improved platforms, I've formed meaningful connections with students, sharing personal stories and adapting coursework based on their…
Old Dog, New Tricks: How Online Teaching Rekindled My Passion for Teaching
Returning to online teaching rekindled my passion for education after a decade. Through improved platforms, I've formed meaningful connections with students, sharing personal stories and adapting coursework based on their feedback. Embracing AI and continuous learning invigorates my teaching approach, transforming it into a fulfilling journey of community-building and personal growth.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Finding My Voice Again: A Musical Journey (Power of Music, Part 2)

Finding My Voice Again Music has always been more than just entertainment for me; it's a pathway to the deepest parts of myself, a way to explore the complicated emotions that shape my inner being. Growing up, singing hymns a…
Finding My Voice Again: A Musical Journey (Power of Music, Part 2)
Finding My Voice Again Music has always been more than just entertainment for me; it's a pathway to the deepest parts of myself, a way to explore the complicated emotions that shape my inner being. Growing up, singing hymns a cappella in our small church was an unforgettable experience. I still recall sitting on a pew in the third row, right behind the song leader's wife, with my friends Lynne and Susan.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I just wonder while I’m sitting here watching the performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing what today’s climate and shutting down of DEI initiatives will mean for celebrations such as Black History Month than the singing of the Black National Anthem at football games. #nfl #MyAmerica
February 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The Playlist of me: Forgotten iPod, Rediscovered Self (Power of Music, Part 1)

The author reflects on their experience as an End of Life Doula and the nuanced role of music in providing comfort during life’s final moments. Rediscovering their old iPod sparked a journey into their musical past,…
The Playlist of me: Forgotten iPod, Rediscovered Self (Power of Music, Part 1)
The author reflects on their experience as an End of Life Doula and the nuanced role of music in providing comfort during life’s final moments. Rediscovering their old iPod sparked a journey into their musical past, revealing the profound connection between music and identity, as well as the transformative power of familiar melodies.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
February 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Embracing Late Career: Finding Purpose at 60

I began my career in higher education later in life. It was my second career after 14 years teaching in secondary schools. Transitioning from being a mid-career teacher to starting over as a university professor was both exciting and daunting. This kind…
Embracing Late Career: Finding Purpose at 60
I began my career in higher education later in life. It was my second career after 14 years teaching in secondary schools. Transitioning from being a mid-career teacher to starting over as a university professor was both exciting and daunting. This kind of shift isn’t unusual, but for me, one important factor stood out: I entered it older. I became a brand-new assistant professor at age 40.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Exploring Nostalgia, Place and Southern Identity in Writing

The blog post discusses the author's evolution from storytelling to exploring Southern identity through the metaphor of the front porch. It emphasizes the significance of place, pride in their journey from rural Alabama to academia, and…
Exploring Nostalgia, Place and Southern Identity in Writing
The blog post discusses the author's evolution from storytelling to exploring Southern identity through the metaphor of the front porch. It emphasizes the significance of place, pride in their journey from rural Alabama to academia, and the role of nostalgia in connecting past experiences with the present. The front porch symbolizes reflection and shared conversations on complex themes.
thefrontporchprofessor.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM