Teaching Philosophy
I view teaching as a learning experience and in my classes I aim to facilitate balanced participation across the classroom. I apply various methods to increase student participation and confidence, particularly in women and minorities who are often more hesitant or have less of a voice. For example, I encourage one-on-one meetings and suggest students make small steps or try to make one comment per class to make this daunting task more approachable. Or, I make less interesting topics more engaging with activities in small breakout groups. For example, while a class on historical and archaeological methods is often fundamental, it is often not the most exciting. Thus, I create small group exercises where students rate sources or data based on reliability or where students sequence a complex stratigraphic profile. Such exercises often prove challenging and fun while encouraging all students to participate. I often assign mini-group reports for homework, which encourages a closer reading of texts, or have students write down one comment or question in the first five minutes of class. These questions are turned in at the end of class and then discussed at the beginning of the next class. Depending on the class size or dynamic, I choose from a selection or all of these methods and adjust accordingly as the semester progresses. While I seek to empower and educate my students, I do not believe my own learning and education ever stops.
Last year, I averaged 4.5 out of 5 across 79 students in my teaching evaluations. While my methods demonstrate proven success, I am committed to my pedagogical learning and improvement. I regularly attend pedagogy seminars and workshops and take courses like the ‘Center for Research on Learning and Teaching Race and Ethnicity learning community program.'
Diversity and Inclusion Training
Fall 2019
Center for Research on Learning and Teaching Race and Ethnicity learning community program, University of Michigan
Teaching Positions
Instructor of Record
Fall 2021
Latin 101: Elementary Latin; responsible for independently teaching one class section; University of Michigan
Graduate Student Instructor
(Responsible for Class Sections)
Winter 2022
Greek Mythology (CLCIV 385); responsible for teaching one section under the supervision of Professor Chris Ratte; University of Michigan
Winter 2020
Realism and Impressionism (HISTART 370); responsible for teaching three sections under the supervision of Professor Howard Lay; University of Michigan
Fall 2019
Classical Civilization I: The Ancient Greek World (CLCIV 101); First-year writing course; responsible for teaching one section under the supervision of Professor Richard Janko; University of Michigan
Fall 2018
Introduction to Roman Archaeology (CLARCH 222); responsible for independently teaching two sections under the supervision of Professor Nicola Terrenato; University of Michigan
Grader
Winter 2019
Food in the Ancient World: Subsistence and Symbol (CLCIV 382); supervised by Dr. Laura Motta; University of Michigan
Invited Guest Lecturer
10/25/2022
Hellenistic, Etruscan, and Early Roman Art, Osher lifelong learning institute, University of Michigan