Experience Summary
I have 20 years experience creating presenting, customizing, and evaluating courses on a wide variety of topics in myriad modalities for adults and children. The majority of my career experiences have involved designing courses, training personnel, and documentation. As a business owner in adaptive technology I installed adaptive hardware and software, created documentation, and training manuals and provided individual and group training. I have participated in training and presenting information for highly technical physics courses and airplane information systems. As a project manager in India (1991–1993) I taught classes on oral hygiene and the benefits of using clean water. Pursuing my Masters degree in 2003 deepened my understanding in the use of multiple media in presenting effective instruction. I taught high school physics and general science for two years (2003-2005) at Venice High School. As a Graduate Assistant I taught graduate and undergraduate classes in Science Methods at USF.
Teaching Style
I believe my role as a teacher is to empower students to come to their own understanding of events, theories and concepts. Due to the unique nature, cultural identity, and personality of my students this may sometimes entail entertaining a multitude of responses, calling for fluidity in thinking on my part and from my students as well. Together we sift through multiple meanings, interpretations, and conclusions continually referencing the valid data at hand. To help students in acquiring essential learning skills in all subject domains it is important to provide opportunities and experiences to develop an understanding of what critical thinking is and what it is not. I use scaffolding, modeling, comparing/contrasting, mapping, logic, reflection, peer evaluations and discussions to explore new ideas. Inquiry or discovery learning also aids in developing habits of mind that lead to critical thinking and I utilize this particular pedagogy to a great extent.