Astrid Isolde Schlaps

The students in the Generalist Practice class of 1998-99 had the good fortune of having Astrid Schlaps for our instructor. Past students spoke highly of Astrid as an instructor and as a person and encouraged many of us who enrolled to take any course taught by her. We would soon discover why. It would turn out to be a truly unique and special experience that created lasting relationships. As the year was concluding, our class wanted to publicly acknowledge the impact Astrid's course had on us as we moved on. Flowers and a card did not seem adequate enough thanks for the gifts she had given us throughout the school year. The Walk of The Heroines seemed an appropriate way to honor Astrid for what she had given our class.

As we have come to know, Astrid had many achievements in her life. She came to the United States from Germany when she was quite young. In her early adulthood, she worked in the field of sexual assault and domestic violence for many years before her completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 1986 from Portland State University. Astrid continued her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work at Portland State. While working towards her graduate degree she was awarded the Lauretta Kramer Scholarship and the University Commendation for Outstanding Student at PSU. She was also awarded the Katherine Clark Award in 1990 for the most outstanding direct human services graduate.

Upon graduation, Astrid went into private practice and began teaching in the School of Social Work as an adjunct instructor in 1993. While Astrid had been an exceptional student, she was also an innovative and talented instructor. During her ten years with Portland State University, Astrid developed and facilitated a series of Cycle of Violence courses such as Sexual Violence: Theory and Intervention, Cycle of Violence I: Theoretical Models, Cycle of Violence II: Responses and Intervention, Cycle of Violence III: Community Action and Women and Violence. As a full-time faculty member, she also taught Generalist Practice and other social work courses.

As an instructor, Astrid was always prepared to teach and in her class, you could expect to learn. She was as gifted in theory as she was in practical applications of theory. She brought real-life experiences to every circumstance to increase comprehension of theory. Astrid created an open and inviting environment for learning by encouraging discussion and thoughtful reflection. She always welcomed respectful debate. Astrid was also not afraid to share her own successes and her own missteps. Her feedback to students was constructive and reflective of her own experiences as a practitioner. Astrid taught us to understand that practitioners are human and will sometimes make mistakes. While the manner in which she conducted her classroom facilitated learning, it also facilitated relationship building. Astrid was able to create more than an opportunity to learn, she created an opportunity for students to explore and practice our craft free from ridicule or embarrassment. She seemed to recognize that in order for people to learn and grow, they first needed to feel safe to share, to process, and to seek opinions and support from the larger group.

Class first thing on a Monday morning with Astrid was met not with dread but with anticipation and eagerness. It was like seeing long-lost friends every Monday. The class felt comfortable enough to not only learn and grow but also share the trials and tribulations of everyday life and practice. It was this class that set the tone for my whole graduate experience. Every instructor I had was held to the standard that had been set in Astrid's Generalist Practice class. Some instructors succeeded and some did not. Astrid had set the bar high for what a learning experience could and should be. There was never a stupid question only an opportunity to learn. She made you feel like you were special, our class was special and the experience we had with her was special. Astrid was proud of our success and supported us in our disappointments. We grew to respect and care for Astrid and each other. Astrid became more than an instructor to us; she became our mentor and our friend. We will miss her.

Locate on Walk:

• Naming Wall (Right Wall), 1-19