Experience Summary
I am an evolutionary biologist and paleontologist who has been active in the field for over a decade. I have been a professor of college-level biology, paleontology, and anatomy for 8 years on top of 5 years assistant teaching geology courses during my graduate education. I have a broad, interdisciplinary background, which is a result of my broad curiosity about the scientific exploration of all aspects of the natural world. I have experience teaching classes as large as 400 students and as small as 4, though most of my experience has been in the 12-24 student range. I have had the opportunity to teach at several different types of schools, including Ivy League and small liberal arts colleges, where I have had a lot of exposure to pedagogical methods that encourage permanent understanding and maintain interest. I have taken the opportunity to participate in several teaching workshops, which have helped me develop and hone my skills as an educator.
Teaching Style
My teaching style varies, depending on what the individual student needs, but it is always driven by an enthusiasm and verve for education (particularly in science) that I have been told is infectious (not a great thing to say to a biologist, but it's the thought that counts). Learning is most effective when the learner understands the importance of the material to their interests and the world around them. As such, one of my priorities when teaching is finding the relevance of the subject to the student and examining the concepts in the student's context. I tend to shy away from rote memorization, preferring active learning techniques and exercises that develop critical thinking skills, but I am flexible, depending on the student's abilities and response.
