Teaching Philosophy

I believe that education has the power to inspire and to be profoundly transformative. Teaching is a necessary part of the educational equation as experiences without direction are too open to deliver on that transformational and inspirational promise. As I have taught recent courses, I have thought about how I could create a learning environment in which the tools, knowledge, and culture of the classroom as an activity system could become a community of practice that is an extension of the world in which students will find themselves when they have completed their course of study. I believe that teaching and learning is a mutually constituted experience between the student and the educator in which both aptitude and a willingness to admit ignorance are on display. As a result, I see my role as something of a player/manager in which I must simultaneously direct the team while being a part of it. I believe that learning is a process of becoming, which involves matters of participation and identity; this requires me to be keenly aware of the uniqueness of the students in my courses and the valuable contributions each of them makes. I strive to make any educational endeavor I undertake a high-impact practice and I aim to include elements of good practice in education such as high expectations, investment of time and effort, meaningful interactions, and exposure to new and diverse perspectives.

A more detailed overview of my teaching philosophy is available to download.

For more information about my teaching experience, visit the Teaching section of this website.