Teaching

Courses I Often Teach

Introductory Biology - Biol 180

This course is an introduction to Mendelian genetics, evolution, biodiversity of life forms, ecology, and conservation biology. It is open to all students interested in biology whether intending to major in the biological sciences, enroll in professional programs, or fulfill a Natural World requirement. It is the first course in a three-quarter series required of all biology majors. Enrollment varies from ~500 to ~1,100 students per quarter.

Introduction to Bioscience - Biol 113

This course is a companion course designed for students concurrently enrolled in Biology 180. The sessions are facilitated by [incredible] Undergraduate TAs and are designed after the STEM Dawgs program.

Evidence-Based Teaching - Biol 505

This course is designed to help STEM graduate students gain skills in disseminating science information to students at any level, patients, and the public. The course has a special emphasis on equity in STEM and STEM classrooms and includes hands-on practice in a variety of learning strategies and teaching practices. 

Students are working in informal groups to complete an active-learning exercise in Biol 180. Class enrollment: ~850-students

Courses I Have Taught

Local Impacts of Global Change - Biol 497

A 5-credit lecture and lab course designed to teach students about the local impacts of global climate change and the scientific process used to draw those conclusions.

Learning to Learn in Biology - Biol 179

This course was a companion course to Biol 180 designed to supplement instruction and target common misconceptions in biology. 

Students work together on an in-class module.
Photo credit: Alison Crowe

Other Teaching Experience

Teaching Faculty

I frequently teach workshops in active learning to university STEM faculty. The longest workshop was a 3-day workshop at the University of Costa Rica in the department of statistics.

I frequently teach workshops in data analysis in R for education researchers. The longest course I have taught was 7 weeks to discipline-based education research faculty in the department of Chemistry at the University of Washington.


K-12 Classrooms

Prior to graduate school, I was a middle school and high school teacher in Oakland, California. During my time in the secondary classroom,  I completed a Masters in Education with an emphasis on curriculum development and teaching. 

I was also an adjunct instructor at Alliant International University, teaching the first course of a two-semester series in a masters degree and professional certification program for secondary science teachers. 


Informal Classrooms

A lot of learning happens outside of formal classrooms. I envision a world where anyone can participate in science. One way I have worked toward this goal is through Community Science (sometimes referred to as Citizen Science, or C* Sci). For example, I helped design and implement MeadoWatch and continue collaborating in this area.

Teaching 9th Grade Biology at Coliseum College Prep Academy, a public school in Oakland, CA. Photo credit: Billy Duong