Participants: Tierra Lewis, Simon Espejo, Paula Andrea Correa, Yusmila de Nicolo, Angela Rios
For this first collaborative discussion, my peers and I explored the topic of academic publishing and reflected on why it matters for educators and researchers. The guiding questions invited us to think about the purpose of publishing, the fears and challenges that may hold us back, and the steps required to successfully prepare and submit an article. We also reflected on how to choose a topic, select the right journal, and balance the opportunities and challenges of publishing in both open-access and peer-reviewed outlets.
Through this discussion, I learned that publishing is more than just an academic requirement it is an opportunity to share insights, inspire others, and strengthen our professional voices. I especially connected with the idea that what feels like a simple classroom experience to me as a kindergarten teacher may actually become a valuable lesson for another educator. Listening to my peers helped me see the diverse motivations for publishing, from building an academic profile to creating stronger professional communities. This exchange reminded me that while the process can feel intimidating, persistence, mentorship, and collaboration make it possible to contribute meaningfully to the field (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.