How do you get students to engage in class materials inside and outside of class?

I incorporate a few basic principles of the Montessori Method of Education . Instead of starting out with theory and then illustrating them with examples and cases, I try to captivate students' attention and curiosity by starting out with a concrete case, a hands-on challenge, or a specific problem. I then introduce the theory and principles as a means to tackle the issues at hand. I also emphasize "closing the learning loop" by adding assignments that allow students to reflect on what they learned and how it can be put into practice. In addition, it is critical to really connect to the students, their interests and their mindsets. Each audience is different, each generation is different. It is important to stay current and update my examples, cases (and my jokes). Last but not least, you cannot teach students who are bored, distracted or asleep! I like to run a high-energy, fast-paced class that incorporates various media and activities.

What is your favorite course to teach and why?

I love the fact that I teach courses at 3 different levels with unique learning objectives; each of these courses offers distinct gratification. My intro-level Management course (Management of Organizations) attracts a wide diversity of students, from first-year students to senior engineering students and computer science students. It is great fun to "open their eyes" to the world of management, not just the theory but the fact that its principles manifest themselves in every-day life. My upper level Management course (Strategic Management or Collective Bargaining and Employee Relations) is dedicated to Management seniors. The best part about this course is witnessing the maturation and growing professionalism of our seniors, most of whom took my intro-level Management course as a first-year student or sophomore. I also teach a graduate course on Negotiations for accounting students, one of the few non-quantitative courses in their program. Teaching them leadership and communication skills is the "frosting on the cake" that complements their liberal arts foundation.

Your students admire how you integrate ‘real world’ applications in your classes. Can you discuss some of your most successful examples?

In order to facilitate the transition from classroom to the real world and encourage the application of Management theory, I assigned all my senior Management students (in the Strategic Management course) a consulting project with local non-profit organizations, including Goodwill, the SA FoodBank, KLRN, the SA Clubhouse, the ARC, among others. The projects were very diverse and ranged from developing strategic plans and conducting market research to creating a convenience store and developing a training assessment for middle-level managers, The students were able to deliver tangible results to our local non-profit organization but also developed a newly gained appreciation for the needs in our local community. In my intro-level Management course, all students study the management practices a a real company. Many of the students keep following the company they studied for this project after the course if over. It is great fun to receive their emails ,sometimes years after they graduated, sharing with me new developments in their focal company.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at Trinity?

Getting to know the students (both inside and outside the classroom) and following up their progress throughout their college years. Seeing them grow and mature throughout their years at Trinity.