TEACHING
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is centered around student engagement and understanding through hands on learning. My role as an instructor is to facilitate engaging materials that are designed to encourage collaborative thinking and curiosity to better understand the big picture objectives of a course.
I prioritize a culture of mutual respect, physical and psychological safety, and a mindset rooted in curiosity. I encourage students to question my strategies and the concepts we cover in class, so we can engage in open conversations that fuel their understanding of how they learn and the importance of the material they engage with. I empower my students to take risks, lean into constructive feedback, and ultimately to be excited about the opportunity to learn about the world and challenge what they are taught.
Courses Taught
Organismal Biology (BIO182L) - Instructor of Record
Northern Arizona University
January 2021 – December 2025
Emphasized evolution, genetics, ecology, morphology, and physiology and how these unifying principles affect organisms on Earth.
Undergraduate Research (BIO485) - Instructor of Record
Northern Arizona University
May 2025 – July 2025
Developed skills in scientific and technical writing. Built and presented research in a professional setting.
Pan-Biology (BIO504) - Guest Lecturer
Northern Arizona University
April 2024, 2025
Developed curriculum addressing the critical gap in training related to risk assessment and career-specific skills. I cover topics such as risk tolerance, decision-making (including heuristic traps, anchoring, and checklists), and safety measures in various settings (field, greenhouse, lab).
Genetics (IBIO341) - Graduate Teaching Assistant
Michigan State University
January 2020 – May 2020
Provided students with a basic understanding of genetics, the tools and techniques needed to critically evaluate genetic information, and how to apply that knowledge to everyday life.
Ecology Laboratory (IBIO355L) - Instructor of Record
Michigan State University
August 2019 – December 2019
Designed and implemented interdisciplinary course materials, expanded and developed knowledge of core concepts, scientific practices, and scientific communication, to guide students through a self-conducted research project and produce a manuscript.
Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (BS171) - Graduate Teaching Assistant
Michigan State University
August 2017 – May 2018
Concentrated on the principles and applications of common techniques used in cellular and molecular biology.
Foundations of Leadership - Teaching Assistant
University of Arizona
Spring 2012
Developed effective leadership skills including communication, mission and vision, group development, values, ethics, diversity, and creating change.