My Teaching Philosophy

What is our connection to the place(s) we live in?

So much of Social Studies and Geography relate to this one question. In our global world we have gotten used to thinking that one place is the same as another. But the problems with being uprooted from our surroundings have been enormous- deforestation, resource depletion, pollution, climate crisis.

In a small way, within the courses I teach I want students to engage with their surroundings. Because the more connected we are to a place- when we feel the lash of rain across our faces, know the seasons by the direction the wind blows, when our fingers have dirt under the nails and are roughened by rock and tree bark- the more we love that place. And love, here contextualized in experiential education, often outdoors, is a great tool for curriculum enhancement. When our learning and teaching is rooted to place through love we have a more engaging, dynamic learning environment. This in turn compliments the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm of Context, Experience, Reflection, Action, and Evaluation.