Teaching

As an educator, I approach teaching as a facilitator of critical thinking. Whether my role is a lead teacher, teaching assistant, guest lecturer, or workshop instructor, I utilize active learning principles – encounter, engage, reflect. 
My goal is to introduce information, create activities that encourage students to engage with the material and with one another, and lastly, allow time and space for students to reflect on the experience. Reflecting on what they learned both orally and through writing and creative expression are part of my formative and summative assessment methods.

I am a frequent instructor and TA for Research Methods at all levels, which is one of my favorite courses to teach because I appreciate the opportunity to introduce research to students. I utilize the same principles of active learning and building capacity for critical analysis in methods courses as well as sociological courses, like Seminar on Race, Gender, Class and Administration of Justice. I like to utilize allegories and metaphors to activate curiosity and help students draw connections between complex, abstract concepts. 

Higher education 
I love teaching undergraduate courses because for most of my students, my classes are the first time they’re encouraged to read and write with a critical lens, rather than accepting the material as absolute truth. Borrowing from my K12 pedagogy training, my theory, special topics, and research methods courses are discussion centered. I facilitate respectful scholarly discourse for students to independently and collaboratively dissect what they learn and challenge ways of knowing. I do this with active learning activities, in-class reflection, small group discussions, and inclusive assessments methods. My favorite courses to teach are linked above.
 

Secondary education
My favorite age group to teach is 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. I love the balance of these adolescents’ determination to prove their independence while still being open to guidance and mentorship. I enjoy learning their organic inclinations and nudging them towards books and projects that inspire their budding learner identities. 

My favorite lessons: 

• Finding patterns in mystery stories, “Leah Iman and the Case of the Missing Money” (3rd to 5th grade level)
• Autobiography writing using a small moment (5th to 7th grade level)