As an educator, I strive to foster a deep love and appreciation for the material that I teach. To achieve this, I believe in creating an interactive and engaging learning environment that connects students to the subject matter in a meaningful and relevant way. My goal is to instill in students a sense of curiosity and intellectual curiosity that extends beyond the classroom and into their everyday lives.
One of my core teaching beliefs is that students learn best by doing. I incorporate active learning strategies and real-world applications into my courses to create an immersive and hands-on learning experience. For example, in my financial management course, my graduate students started a nonprofit from scratch. By putting theory into practice, students gained a practical understanding of the financial and accounting principles necessary to launch a successful organization. Additionally, they developed important leadership and community engagement skills that will serve them well in their future careers.
I also believe in the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. As an educator, I strive to create a classroom culture that values diversity and encourages active participation from all students. I seek to understand and respond to the unique needs of each student to ensure that they feel heard, respected, and valued.
In my classes, I use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how mathematical concepts and statistical methods can be applied in practical situations. This approach helps students to see the value of the material beyond the classroom and inspires them to explore the subject matter further. I encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and challenge assumptions to develop a deep and nuanced understanding of the material.
Finally, I believe that education is a lifelong pursuit. As an educator, I see myself as a lifelong learner, always seeking out new knowledge and innovative teaching strategies to improve my practice. I encourage my students to view learning as an ongoing process and to continue to engage with the material long after they have completed my course.
In summary, my teaching philosophy centers on creating an interactive and inclusive learning environment that connects students to the material in a meaningful and relevant way. By incorporating active learning strategies, real-world applications, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, I aim to inspire a lifelong love of learning in my students and prepare them for success in their future careers.
Image by Luke Jones.