Raised in rural poverty and the first in my family to attend college, my belief in the transformative power of education has become living proof.

My teaching approach is simple: firm, but fair. My role as an educator is ever-evolving to the needs of a diversifying student body but includes the establishment of challenging yet achievable goals, supporting student effort - not achievement alone- setting clear expectations, and sound learning objectives, and ensuring that no student sacrifices self-esteem for outcomes. Formative feedback, rooted in a growth mindset, is my secret weapon of choice. Learning is a social affair, therefore my classroom is an active environment rich with debate, collaborative problem-solving, and self-reflection. I measure my success by my students’ sustained curiosity, their connection with peers, and the degree of compassion they extend and receive as they move throughout the course. I hope that by committing to this framework, the joy of learning will become intrinsic to each student and produce critical and creative thinkers ready to engage in all the world has to offer. With any luck, I will remain a memorable facilitator on their journey to self-actualization.