Geomorphologist, Climate Scientist, Educator, & Communicator
TEACHING
Respect, Exploration, Mentorship, Enthusiasm
Teaching Philosophy
Respect: I insist on fostering a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion inside and outside of the classroom. This allows me to build trust with students and create a learning environment that encourages personal growth.
Exploration: I view myself more as an educational guide who lets students explore earth science by elevating their own interests and talents, while building their critical thinking and communication skills.
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Mentorship: I strive to be a dedicated teacher and mentor to all of my students by being approachable, compassionate, and helpful.
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Enthusiasm: I approach every class with enthusiasm, creativity, & humor (see memes below) to get students involved & learn hands-on.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
GEOL001: EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR
University of Vermont, Dept. of Geology
Developed curriculum, exams, lab assignments, and successfully transitioned a 165-student, 9-lab section class to be fully online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lectured three days a week, managed three teaching assistants.
GEOL055: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR
University of Vermont, Dept. of Geology
Designed field trips, mentored students on independent research projects about environmental hazards, and developed hands-on activities for 40 students. Lectured three days a week, taught two lab sections, and managed one teaching assistant.
GOVERNOR'S INSTITUTES OF VERMONT: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ASSISTANT FACULTY
University of Vermont, Summer 2019
Mentored motivated high school students from around the state of Vermont during a week-long residential science program at the University of Vermont. Taught environmental field methods related to stream ecology, water chemistry, and fluvial geomorphology. Created teaching materials on the interface of climate change and social justice issues.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION OF SCIENCE PROGRAM
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Boston University, Dept. of Earth & Environment
Led and mentored three undergraduates on a research expedition to Antarctica in 2015, and taught them skills related to geomorphologic mapping, sample collection and management, soil pit sedimentology and stratigraphy, and GPS surveying. Advised students on semester-long science outreach media projects. Facilitated classroom discussions and helped organize semester-long invited seminar series. Supervised 15 students on summer internship projects that ranged in topic from creating science animations to geomorphologic mapping of Martian craters using ArcGIS. Presented introductory climate science lectures. Created and taught lab exercises
MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE
NSF GK12 RESIDENT SCIENTIST
Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Taught inquiry and research-based curricula to 140 middle school students in general science classes (6th to 8th grades). Developed a new climate science curriculum for 8th grade classes that integrated atmospheric science, oceanography, surface processes, and renewable energy topics. Designed hands-on laboratory activities to teach surface hydrology, hydrogeology, glaciology, and basic water chemistry for 6th grade classes. Taught 7th grade students the history of life on earth during units on genetics and evolution.
ES333: EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Boston Univeristy, Dept. of Earth & Environment
Integrated state-of-the-art visualization technologies to design and teach lab exercises focused on geospatial reasoning and geologic mapping. Created new assignments focused on Quaternary geochronologic techniques using research data from Antarctica. Presented lectures on geologic hazards, glacial geology, and North American geomorphology. Helped lead field trips in eastern Massachusetts.
CLASSES I CAN TEACH
EARTH'S CLIMATE SYSTEM: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
GEOMORPHOLOGY & SURFACE PROCESSES
GLACIERS AND GLACIAL GEOLOGY
HYDROGEOLOGY & HYDROLOGY
INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
GIS & REMOTE SENSING FOR GEOSCIENTISTS
FIELD GEOLOGY
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION: PUBLIC SPEAKING, WRITING, AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
SEMINAR ON EARTH SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND SOCIETY
GEOLOGY MEMES
I handcraft memes for lectures to engage students. And to make my geologist friends laugh.