Command of Subject Area

I have always been fascinated with how much mathematics and mathematical models can explain—this is ultimately what got me hooked into math and science. Mathematics truly is everywhere around us. I discovered these interests in high school, where I was introduced to physics. I immediately saw physics as an important application of mathematics. When I first went to college, I first signed up to be a secondary education math major. After learning, however, that the education portion was not needed to teach college-level courses, I changed to double major in mathematics and physics at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania (currently ranked #41 in top public schools). I went on to graduate school in mathematics at North Carolina State University, which is in the top 1% of universities worldwide (from the Center for World University Rankings).

During the six years at my previous institution, Florida Southern College, I have taught 13 different courses across 29 different sections, all ranging from general education to upper-level mathematics courses. Over my life I have read many mathematics, physics, and chemistry textbooks to broaden my knowledge and to learn more subjects related to my research. In the process, I also keep my eye out for interesting applications to include in my classes. My love for reading and learning also applies to my teaching, where I constantly seek new methodologies and teaching techniques, activities, and online resources.

For example, some of the books I have read more recently related to teaching are:

• • Teaching at its Best by Linda Nilson

  • How Learning Works by DiPietro et. all.

  • Cooperative Learning for Higher Education Faculty by Millis and Cottell Jr.

  • What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker

  • Relationship Rich Education by Peter Felten and Leo Lambert

  • Learner Centered Teaching by Maryellen Weimer

[If you an educator, I suggest you get and read these books as well if you have not already.]

For example, I have had to teach myself much about statistics and its applications in order to teach an elementary statistics general education class, a course most students take for graduation. I have read numerous general audience books in search of interesting examples and material to include in my lectures and assignments. I have also been reading a graduate textbook on statistics called Biostatistical Analysis by Zar, which has been a great source of historical information that I include in my lectures. 

There are other ways I seek out more knowledge, namely taking time to sit in on classes other faculty are teaching. In the fall 2022 semester, I sat in on a special topics course in data analysis involving the R programming language and more advanced knowledge concerning statistical study design. In the spring 2023 semester, I sat in on a course called Advanced Statistical Topics. I learned more about non-parametric methods, a topic above the elementary statistics course. 

Another way I have broadened my knowledge of mathematics and its applications is through mentoring independent studies. For example, I learned about Monte Carlo simulation, and how mathematics is used to price financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and options. Both of these opportunities to learn different subjects arose from math majors who asked to do an independent study with me. I have also conducted directed studies on courses that students needed for graduation but are not being offered (e.g. linear algebra, differential equations). Being more one-on-one with these students, I was able to draw upon and teach more advanced knowledge and applications specific to the student's major.

Below is a table of the student responses to the prompt "The professor demonstrated clear understanding of the subject matter"  across each class and semester taught. Comma-separated lists represent different sections of the same class. Next is a line graphs showing the progression of the overall average response to the same prompt. 

The question is rated from 1 - 7, with 7 being strongly agree, 4 being neutral, and 1 being strongly disagree. 

The line graph for overall averages of responses shows a slight increase followed by a slight decrease during the most recent year. 

During my first few year at Florida Southern College (2017 - 2018), I was struggling to connect with my students while also having to learn the material. It is evident from the data that my knowledge of statistics appeared to have broadened and solidified. Then around spring 2020, our department implemented a new requirement that all statistics sections incorporate the use of SPSS statistical software. Before this point, I was only using formulas and printed-out tables to conduct statistical analysis; I had little to no experience using any statistical software. But I am now confident in my ability to use statistical software as a tool for teaching my statistics class and can make the course feel more realistic.

Below are some comments I have received in my teaching evaluations from students that concern my command of subject area.