Experience Summary
During high school I acquired my first teaching position. I figure skated as a hobby and had been working at my local ice rink for three years. A position opened up for an assistant coach. I helped teach skating classes for toddlers up to the elderly. It was a very rewarding experience. I taught classes for that ice rink for two years until I left for college. In college I helped tutor my lab partners and classmates. Still I did not expect that I would enjoy teaching as much as I do. When I came to San Diego as a graduate student, I wanted to take a position as a Teaching Assistant for financial reasons, but when I started the position, I found it to be the most rewarding job I have ever had. I have been a teaching assistant ever since, teaching all three quarters of my graduate career.
Teaching Style
I strive to have open lines of communication between my students and myself. I think it is the most important aspect of teaching and learning. My students should always feel comfortable coming to me with their questions and I should always be honest about the answer. Some teachers will make an educated guess about the answer to some questions when they do not know the answer. To me, this is wrong. I am not afraid to admit when I don't know something, and will make an effort to find the answer to these questions. I also have found it very important to show enthusiasm for the subject and faith in the capability of the student when teaching. A good teacher can turn a student on to a subject or, at least, help a student to pass a course they never thought they could.