Student development of critical consciousness is essential in higher education if we are to promote civic engagement and educate students to be constructive global citizens. Research on consciousness raising reveals that instructors who have done due diligence in developing their own critical consciousness are best equipped to promote its development in their students. The author describes the process of critical consciousness development while highlighting particular points of emphasis in her own journey of consciousness raising. She also discusses how this journey has influenced her evolving teaching pedagogy and why she believes it to be an educational imperative.