“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room” – Dr. Seuss.
I like to think of teaching as an opportunity to expose students to a new way of experiencing the world. My class is just one of the many vehicles that will help them navigate through a journey that will be fresh and exhilarating. I am very open and explicit in assuring my students that learning is a collaborative process, therefore, I am not the sole provider of knowledge.
Mentoring is very important to me and it is a style that I strive to make apparent in all of my teaching environments. I have benefited tremendously from great mentors. This style of teaching requires flexibility in allowing students to have some control of their learning experience. In doing so, I believe students become much more engaged and begin to take ownership of their education.
I work to foster development and to enhance students’ critical thinking skills by providing an interactive learning environment. For example, when presenting unfamiliar concepts I try to connect the material to pop culture by using YouTube clips or articles from magazines. These strategies usually promote rich discussions amongst the students while simultaneously empowering them to be reflective. Further, this shows my commitment to teaching by adapting to the times of the digital age and making learning interesting.
I recognize that undergraduates are in the midst of a crucial developmental period and that life doesn’t stop while you’re in college. Therefore, I also try to establish a strong rapport with my students and encourage them to effectively communicate their needs. My hope is that students will learn how to advocate for themselves while simultaneously learning how to be responsible.
I like to think of teaching as an opportunity to expose students to a new way of experiencing the world. My class is just one of the many vehicles that will help them navigate through a journey that will be fresh and exhilarating. I am very open and explicit in assuring my students that learning is a collaborative process, therefore, I am not the sole provider of knowledge.
Mentoring is very important to me and it is a style that I strive to make apparent in all of my teaching environments. I have benefited tremendously from great mentors. This style of teaching requires flexibility in allowing students to have some control of their learning experience. In doing so, I believe students become much more engaged and begin to take ownership of their education.
I work to foster development and to enhance students’ critical thinking skills by providing an interactive learning environment. For example, when presenting unfamiliar concepts I try to connect the material to pop culture by using YouTube clips or articles from magazines. These strategies usually promote rich discussions amongst the students while simultaneously empowering them to be reflective. Further, this shows my commitment to teaching by adapting to the times of the digital age and making learning interesting.
I recognize that undergraduates are in the midst of a crucial developmental period and that life doesn’t stop while you’re in college. Therefore, I also try to establish a strong rapport with my students and encourage them to effectively communicate their needs. My hope is that students will learn how to advocate for themselves while simultaneously learning how to be responsible.