Teaching Statement

Philosophy: My approach to teaching is the same whether I am in a biology classroom or a yoga studio, because no matter what subject I am teaching I believe the best way to engage students is to connect with them on an individual level. For example, students in my Data Science for Biologists course may not be immediately interested in figure design, so I build motivation by allowing them to create figures relevant to their own interests—from scatterplots showing the variance of llamas’ toe lengths to bar plots demonstrating disease prevalence in individuals who eat cheese. By framing the material in this way, I encourage greater student investment in their learning. Beyond motivation, I ensure my students have many opportunities to practice material in ways that are both high-quality and engaging. For instance, I use active learning techniques such as group discussions, and in-class exercises. Additionally, I recognize students may have different learning preferences or needs, which is why I provide multiple formats for course materials and several ways for students to demonstrate they have reached the course learning objectives. Ultimately, my goal as an instructor – regardless of whether I am teaching Data Analysis, Entomology, Animal Physiology, or Kickboxing – is to foster a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

Teaching Experience: 

In 2023 I was co-instructor of record for Duke Biology’s new Data Science for Biologists class. This course introduces graduate students to the fundamentals of coding as well as encourages a supportive community amongst the new students. I have also been a TA for two biology capstone courses, Entomology, and Mammalogy, in which I was responsible for designing and running the lab sections. This work earned me an honorable mention in our departmental TA awards. Additionally, I have guest-lectured in several courses. Notably, in Mechanisms of Animal Behavior, I developed and taught a module designed to teach students the fundamentals of statistics, while allowing them to get experience collecting their own data using Armadillidium vulgare (pill-bugs). I received Duke’s Data Expedition award for these lectures (outcomes can be viewed on the Data Expedition website here for 2021 and here for 2022), and the module is still used today. I was also awarded Duke’s Bass Instructional Fellowship and have completed formal pedagogical training through Duke’s Certificate in College Teaching program, which included coursework as well as structured teaching observations. Finally, I have been teaching group fitness (Kickboxing and Yoga) since 2016. Perhaps surprisingly, the skills I have developed teaching group fitness have proven to be highly applicable to my work in the college classroom. Not only have I learned to manage groups with varying skill levels, but I also developed the ability to adapt my lesson plans to meet the unique needs of each individual. It brings me immeasurable joy to make a positive difference in other’s lives through my fitness classes, and I carry that same passion and commitment to my teaching in higher education.

Mentorship Experience: I am passionate about mentoring students and helping them navigate their own paths through science, and my research in the field of animal navigation is ideal for undergraduate and graduate research opportunities. For example, I have been working with a team of undergraduates for the past five years to explore how arthropods locate suitable food sources. This project is specifically designed to be a stepping-stone for students who have not had access to previous research opportunities. I bring students together in small groups to learn the basics of literature review, project design, and behavior-based experimentation in a non-judgmental environment. This then provides them with the tools and experiences necessary to apply to other research positions and internships to meet their own career goals. Thus far I have mentored 11 undergraduates, and guided one mentee to complete an honors thesis, for which she was awarded both high honors, the James B. Rast Award, presented at a conference twice, and published a manuscript in Biology Letters.