I have strong family ties to the establishment that is public education, and I value it's importance tremendously. The appreciation and understanding of the benefits of a well-round education was formed through these ties. This understanding is what increased and solidified my desire to be a member of a force that can alter the outcome of our society through teaching and advocacy. In my classroom, specifically, I want students to have a voice in innovative academic choices that allow for expression and creativity while learning the material in a way that is relevant to their surroundings. Students should have a chance to learn a subject such as chemistry in a way that covers the content expected at the college level as well as develop a relationship with a science that dictates life. I believe the philosophy at the community college should foster an environment that supports experimentation within the chemistry curriculum while keeping the science pertinent to the students. I enjoy a socratic approach to learning. The asking of questions during the instruction, and the subsequent responses, can help bolster understanding as well as illuminate areas that may need deeper explanation. The understanding of chemical concepts and not just the ability to pick a correct answer is my main goal in my instruction. This can be best incorporated during instruction by the repeated question of “why,” and via increased writing within the curriculum. I believe that relevancy and non-traditional learning methods are imperative to bringing a fresh perspective to a subject that I really enjoy teaching.

Fantasy Football, College Basketball, Poker, Sociology, Golf