In "Gumbo Ya ya," the author reflects on how varied stories and cultural and linguistic perspectives encountered during her evolution from student to veteran teacher have helped shape her research and pedagogy. Using a simultaneity of voices that parallel the musical traditions of her Louisiana heritage, she shares her views on teaching composition and literacy that embrace oral traditions. She invites other composition practitioners to appreciate and draw from a diversity of cultural traditions as they interrogate and formulate pedagogical stances for the composition classroom.