Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is that students don't care how much we know until they know how much we care. Expressing an interest in student well-being is vital to communicate in both face-to-face and online classroom settings.

Another vital component to good teaching is engaging intellectual interaction with students. Getting students to pay attention in the classroom can be enhanced by using a stack of cards with student names on them and randomly calling on them to respond to questions in class. Getting students engaged in technology such as making a blog, working through Skills Tutor, or searching for YouTube videos that go along with key concepts can build the depth and breadth of understanding they take away from the learning process.

Relevant assignments are necessary to enable students to meet the learning outcomes for each course. A good instructor will be sure to begin course development by studying the learning outcomes and then designing the assignments and curriculum to address these needs. For example, if the class requires that students learn tools for motivation, the instructor can locate YouTube videos on motivation. Then the instructor can follow up by creating a blog for students to share what they have learned about motivation and tell at least one way they will use this new information.

Quality instruction also necessarily addresses the needs of students with learning disabilities, those for whom English is not their first language, and any other accommodations that present themselves--within reason. One example is in finding another way to highlight text in documents for students with visual challenges.