As a biologist and educator, my goal is to provide exposure to biology while simultaneously helping undergraduate students to develop their STEM identity with the analytical skills necessary to approach questions about the patterns they see in the natural world as independent scientific investigators. My job is to provide them with the background and opportunities they need to develop a broader mindset on their own and think critically and scientifically.
My teaching draws upon the strengths of a variety of teaching methods, depending on the specific learning goal at hand. As much as possible, I strive to convey information in multiple formats (i.e., visually, orally, and in writing) to accommodate differences in student learning styles. Because I believe strongly in the value of an inclusive learning environment, such material will also be infused with examples that students can relate to their own lives, regardless of their individual backgrounds and experiences. My teaching employs active learning methods to develop student’s abilities to understand and apply the steps of the scientific method to diverse problems in biology. At other times, problem-based learning techniques are used to shape and assess student’s critical thinking and analytical skills.
I am a member of the Animal Behavior Society, and I am the Chair of the Education Committee for the Society. I am also a member of the AAC&U PKAL STEM Leadership Institute, and the International Association of Great Lakes Researchers (IAGLR).
