Teaching PhilosophyMy teaching philosophy is that science is for everyone! No matter your age, ability, educational background, or interest-level, I believe that there is something you will find exciting about science, and I believe that you can contribute to science. Science can often be intimidating, and when I teach animal biology- or ecology-based classes, I use simple examples, clean explanations, and a touch of humor to get across complex scientific concepts. People have an easier time learning a topic when they can personally connect to it, and I work to foster this connection while teaching. By incorporating local flora and fauna into examples and activities, students learn to appreciate the biodiversity and ecological wonder that exists all around them. I introduce my students to diverse voices in science and create exploratory hands-on activities so students can see themselves in science. My goal is that students leave a class, lecture, or outreach event excited about science and curious to learn more.
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Teaching Experience
I have experience teaching in formal and informal settings, in groups and one-on-one, and a wide range of ages!
Insects & People
An undergraduate-level science course for non-science majors that serves as an introduction to insects, their anatomy, physiology, ecology, and natural history, and how we interact with them. As a graduate teaching assistant for this course, I:
• Developed and created lectures and projects appropriate for online learning, • Designed, assigned and graded a major project demonstrating the scientific method, and • Assisted students with questions about class material and assignments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this course was taught entirely online, and to make the class more accessible, I re-designed a major assignment to be fully completed at home. The students completed a pan-trap experiment and learned about the scientific method in the process. See the instructions and protocol here! |
Piedmont Wildlife Center
"A non-profit environmental organization inspiring people to develop a lifelong connection to nature and encouraging conservation through a community-oriented approach to nature education, developing leaders, and environmental science." As an intern, volunteer, and conservation educator for this local organization, I:
• Participated in weekly training and enrichment sessions to learn and practice raptor handling techniques, • Created and taught educational wildlife programs for up to 30 participants using animal ambassadors, • Supervised and participated in outreach booths for public education at major community events, and • Provided care and enrichment for small mammals, reptiles, birds, raptors, and insects. During my 2 years with PWC, I led many educational programs. These programs varied widely in structure, audience demographic, length, and purpose. It was my job to design a program, sometimes spontaneously, that fit each of those variables to ensure the public audience gained as much as possible from the program. I have continued to use these skills in my formal and informal education spaces to tailor my teaching to my audience and their needs. |
Check out my CV for a full list of my teaching experience.