Inclusive teaching practices and increasing equity in academia go hand-in-hand. I employ engaging teaching techniques that are accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Teaching philosophy
I believe that academics have a responsibility to their students and the public to effectively impart knowledge about their fields of study. My goal as an instructor is to increase the scientific literacy and understanding of the natural world of all students. I use teaching practices that have been shown to increase student engagement and understanding of STEM related topics. I regularly employ in-class activities, games and hands-on, experiential learning to ensure students are synthesizing material in class. I regularly solicit feed back and check student understanding through formative assessments.
Courses
I have been the instructor of record for:
Introduction to Conservation Genetics (EBIO 1050): This intensive two-week pre-college course combines lectures and labs to expose students to the principals of evolutionary genetics and the effective management of wild and captive populations. Students learn wet-lab skills such as DNA extraction and PCR and talk to conservation practitioners in different fields.
Tropical Field Biology and Conservation (EBIO 3780): This two-week field course in Ecuador provides students the opportunity to develop and carry-out field based research projects and provides a foundation in tropical ecology. Students work closely with local conservation biologists to learn about the social dynamics that impact conservation work in the region.
Teaching assistantships
2018 - Processes in Evolution
2017 - Ecology, lab
Summer 2017, 2015 - Tropical Field Biology and Conservation
Guest lecture
Tropical Biology (Spring 2019); Conservation Biology (Spring 2017); Processes in Evolution (Spring 2016); Theories and Methods in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Fall 2015, Spring 2016-2018)
