"I'm Palavi! I am an MFA candidate and a Writing Instructor in the Undergraduate Writing Program at Columbia University. I have completed my coursework for the MFA and am currently focused on completing my thesis while teaching students. I completed my undergraduate coursework in English Literature with a minor in Media Students at University of Alabama in Birmingham where I graduated magna cum laude and received the Dean's Award.

I have taught remote creative writing workshops at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies that emphasize voice, structure, and formal experimentation to students ranging from 12-18 years old. My approach is rooted in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where students feel encouraged to take risks and grow as writers. I also teach students academic writing across disciplines in the Undergraduate Writing department at Columbia University by cultivating habits of mind and skills that foster students’ capacities for critical analysis, argument, revision, collaboration, meta-cognition, and research.

Beyond teaching, my own poetry explores themes of family mythos, generational experiences, womanhood, culture, and more while also delving into various types of form. My work can be found in the following publications: Central Missouri Pleiades: Literature in Context (2023), The University Press of SHSU: The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume X: Alabama (2023), and forthcoming in Birmingham Poetry Review (Spring 2025) and Frontier Poetry (2025).

Teaching Statement:

Teaching is a dynamic process that requires creating an environment responsive to how students learn best. For writing instruction, this involves helping students connect their learning to real-world experiences, sharpening their critical thinking skills, and making the writing process both personal and practical. By focusing on student-centered approaches, ensuring accessibility, and remaining flexible, a supportive learning space is built where all students feel empowered to engage and succeed." less...