I am a teacher because I love to learn. I enjoy seeing others discover new things, and it fulfills me intellectually to be a part of that discovery process. I have a lifelong commitment to teaching both in and outside the classroom. The most important goal of my teaching philosophy is to inspire my students to take charge of their own education. I seek to foster a sense of curiosity in my students, and encourage them to develop independent thought and action. Always striving to be patient and compassionate, I encourage my students to embrace their own agency in affecting change in the world around them. Building off of students’ prior experiences, I show them how flexibility in our thoughts and methods can be our greatest strength when facing unknowns; we cannot assume to know the answers a priori, as our solutions may then be constrained by our preconceptions. My aim is to serve as a guide to my students as they journey through a new intellectual pursuit. Giving people access to the tools they need is a good start, but making sure they know where to answer their future questions is what will make my teaching sustainable. I constantly seek to empower my students with positive reinforcement of their skills, helping them set – and achieve – their own goals for their education.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Co-Instructor, Applied GIS and Mapping (post-graduate) Addis Ababa University (19 - 26 May 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Volunteered Environmental Information (NRE 501, graduate) University of Michigan (13 March 2013)
Graduate Student Instructor, Principles of GIS (NRE 531, graduate) University of Michigan (Spring 2014). Guest Lecturer, “Pattern Analysis.”
Graduate Student Instructor, Principles of GIS (NRE 531, graduate) University of Michigan (Fall 2013). Guest Lecturer, “Map Overlay for Decision Support.”
Graduate Assistant, Conservation in Kenya (AAS 446, undergraduate) University of Michigan (Spring & Summer 2013)
MENTORING & SUPERVISING
2016-2017 Skills for Undergraduate Participation in Ecological Research (SUPER): 1 student
2015-2017 Mountain Sentinels Network’s Undergraduate Research Assistant: 1 student
2015-2017 Promoting Geoscience Research, Education, and Success (PROGRESS): 1 student
2013-2016 Southeast Michigan Peace Corps Mentor Program: 7 students
2011-2012 Peace Corps Michelle Sylvester Scholarship Program: 9 students
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Co-Instructor, Applied GIS and Mapping (post-graduate) Addis Ababa University (19 - 26 May 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Volunteered Environmental Information (NRE 501, graduate) University of Michigan (13 March 2013)
Graduate Student Instructor, Principles of GIS (NRE 531, graduate) University of Michigan (Spring 2014). Guest Lecturer, “Pattern Analysis.”
Graduate Student Instructor, Principles of GIS (NRE 531, graduate) University of Michigan (Fall 2013). Guest Lecturer, “Map Overlay for Decision Support.”
Graduate Assistant, Conservation in Kenya (AAS 446, undergraduate) University of Michigan (Spring & Summer 2013)
MENTORING & SUPERVISING
2016-2017 Skills for Undergraduate Participation in Ecological Research (SUPER): 1 student
2015-2017 Mountain Sentinels Network’s Undergraduate Research Assistant: 1 student
2015-2017 Promoting Geoscience Research, Education, and Success (PROGRESS): 1 student
2013-2016 Southeast Michigan Peace Corps Mentor Program: 7 students
2011-2012 Peace Corps Michelle Sylvester Scholarship Program: 9 students