Teaching

Theory: There are several theories that influence how I teach. In general, I believe that everyone can contribute something to society. As a teacher, I believe it is my role to assist people to discover the ways in which they can contribute. This might be through encouraging students to use the subject matter in their workplace or integration of the material into their personal lives. Also influenced by attachment theory, I believe people are able to better learn when they feel safe to explore the environment around them. Motivation is also a key component to learning, as those who are motivated are moved to think critically about topics and events, something I strive to engender within my classroom. From my cognitive psychology background, I believe the more ways to trace information that an individual has, the more likely one will be able to recall that information. One of the ways to enhance retention would be to find a way to have students make the information personal and/or make the information their own.

Objectives: First and foremost, one of my objectives is to provide a safe learning environment for my students. I believe that when students feel safe in the classroom, they are able to explore the world around them, including the subject matter. Learning may be impeded when students do not the classroom is a safe place to learn. Another objective I have is to motivate students, as this is a first phase toward critical thinking and integration of the material within the student. Motivated students may have an easier time learning about a topic or perhaps an easier time adopting material into something personal for them. The third objective that I have is to provide a variety of ways to get across the same information. I do not believe a "one size fits all" approach applies to learning, as each individual may learn best in their own unique way. As a teacher, I have to be creative and engender new and different ways to communicate the subject matter to my students.

Methods and Evaluation: In fostering a safe learning environment, I encourage class members to be respectful toward on another. I also solicit feedback from students about the course of the class. One example of this is the implementation of the Wishes and Stars activity, which I do twice a semester independent of student evaluation times. In this activity, I ask students to write down three things they like about the class (stars) and three things that they think I can improve upon (wishes). By doing this, I actively communicate with my students and encourage student motivation through my energy and my enthusiasm regarding the subject matter. For example, when I taught Human Sexuality at 8:00 a.m., I needed energy to keep students awake and engaged in the topic area. I accomplished this through a variety of films, group activities, individual in-class activities, and my outgoing personality. I also provide variety with my teaching through incorporating research and practical clinical experience into my teaching. For example, in Human Sexuality, I incorporated the history of sex research into my lecture material, presented up-to-date research findings as they related to specific topics, and created assignments and activities that require students to participate in the some element of the research process. Being versatile in this way provides students with a variety of ways to recall the information and a series of ways to access that information. Passing down information in a variety of ways, in my classroom, includes group activities, lectures, other in-class activities, jigsaw classroom activities, and creative assignments. Some of these activities include group papers, acting on a stage, and relevant games. Through these different presentations, each individual student can critically think about the information, and find a way to make it personal and meaningful to them.

Everyone in life can contribute something to the society at large. In the helping profession, some of these ways to contribute can be through research, writing, teaching, clinical work, personal growth, etc. My role as a teacher and mentor is to inspire students to find the way that they can contribute to society. Some of the wonderful rewards of teaching include passing on knowledge and helping someone discover how they can contribute.

My personal philosophy of teaching could best be summed up by the words of former Harvard president Nathan M. Pusey when he stated:

"The teacher's task is not to implant facts but to place the subject to be learned in front of the learner and, through sympathy, emotion, imagination and patience, to awaken in the learner the restless drive for answers and insights which enlarge the personal life and give it meaning."

With sympathy, emotion, and patience, I work to foster a safe learning environment for my students. Encouraging motivation awakens students to the process of learning. Presenting information in more than one manner and incorporating research and practical application of what I am teaching, students learn to make the subject personal and give it meaning. They identify what it means to them and how they can best use the material to contribute to the world.

Teaching Experience

Sample Syllabi

You can view my sample syllabi below by clicking on the links, or download them by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Save Target As" or "Save Link As."

---