Personal Statement

I am a third year PhD student in the Teaching and Curriculum program at Syracuse University. With the support of my advisor, Doctor Ben Dotger, I study novice teacher education through experiential learning. As a former public school educator, I am passionate about ensuring that novice teachers receive education that authentically prepares them for the best job in the world: teaching. 

I am fortunate to work as an Instructor of Record and a Teaching Assistant for the course Clinical Simulations in K-12 Teacher Preparation. Through this course, I engage with future teachers as they navigate simulated professional situations that they will likely encounter in their careers. It is important to me that I provide my students the opportunity to interact with challenging professional situations in a low risk, practice environment and then allow them the time and space to reflect on their performance. This positions my students as knowledgeable and capable and allows me to step in to support them when needed.

Through my work as a teaching assistant, a research assistant, and a public school teacher, I have learned that experience is the greatest teacher. I’m grateful for the many experiences I have had and the many more to come!