Teaching Philosophy

As a scientist, I believe that students can best engage with the scientific process when they are immersed in it. Therefore, my teaching philosophy centers on increasing engagement through learning by doing. This is the way I learned to be a scientist. Through my undergraduate career, I learned that science was best taught through a combination of lectures on fundamental concepts, critical assessment of studies, and doing actual experiments related to the those concepts in lab. It is this way of learning that I have strived to bring to my classroom.

As a graduate teaching assistant at George Mason University, and Marshall University, I have taught Introductory Biology labs for both majors and non-majors. I have also guest lectured in an upper division Vertebrate Paleontology course for undergraduates and graduates at George Mason University. 

Through my experience as a student, I have developed a belief that the best way to teach science is through actually doing it. Science is a process, and can only be best understood when one engages in its practice. 
Learning by doing helped me develop the skills to be a scientist. It helped channel my interest in nature and science into strong scientific practices, and I firmly believe that it will benefit others students as well.