I care deeply about my teaching. My teaching philosophy centers around connecting with students. I strive to build a strong relationship with all of my students such that they feel comfortable actively learning in my classroom.
My main teaching experience is as the primary instructor for Math 115, the Calculus 1 course at the University of Michigan. I am solely responsible for lectures, quizzes, and exam preparation. My class has around 20 students. To clarify, I am not directly supervised by faculty.
Highlights from Math 115 evaluations:
"I really appreciate the extra time the instructor takes outside of class before midterms to host a review session, go through practice problems, and answer questions. Instructor is very welcoming and helps make the class more enjoyable."
"I think that my instructor is great and always helps us be up to date with deadlines. She truly cares about each one of her students and reaches out to them individually to just check up on them or reach out about something specific. Overall all I love my instructor (she's the best!!)"
"Elena is a very great GSI, and she does so much for us. She always cares and does little things such as creating grade calculators, setting up study sessions before exams and even brings us snacks, and many other great things."
"Elena couldn’t be a better teacher if she tried. She was always willing to answer questions and guide us to the right place."
"I personally think I lucked out with my instructor and she goes above and beyond for the students in her section, she's the best!"
"Nothing she is perfect. Best teacher I've had so far at U of M. Always willing to go out of her way to help, answers emails incredibly fast, is so kind, has a sense of humor and is an incredible teacher. I feel like she prepared our class so well for all of the exams and masteries and overall she was amazing."
And my personal favorite,
"Elena is just a goated instructor and she's definitely invited to the carne asada." (This was explained to me as being like the colloquial "cookout.")