Teaching

I teach economics courses at Stevens Institute of Technology. Previously, I taught a wide range of economics courses at New Jersey City University, The College of New Rochelle, Brooklyn College, and City College of New York. I also taught graduate-level courses at NYU Wagner School of Public Service and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Teaching is important to me. It allows me to spend time with students, know their aspirations, and understand their academic needs—all of which invigorates my teaching. Throughout my experience, I have had the pleasure to teach economics to students of various academic and cultural backgrounds. My ability to connect with them enables me to deliver material in a way that is appropriately challenging and meaningful.

Critical thinking is a fundamental aspect of my teaching approach. It enables students to have an open mind and to be curious about different ways of thinking—both necessary aspects for intellectual growth. In my courses, I foster critical thinking by presenting different approaches within economics that answer the same question and promoting in-class discussions. My goal is to show students the value of different perspectives and to encourage their participation. Active student participation generates discussions that allow me to highlight how their perspectives enhance our discussions and their learning experience. In culturally and academically diverse classrooms, these discussions foster particularly rich and inclusive environments that engage student learning and gets them interested in the field.

In addition to critical thinking, I also emphasize the importance of communicating arguments in writing. My courses include components that require students to synthesize their thoughts into clear arguments that they can communicate in writing. These writing components complement student understanding of the material and enhance their learning.

A classroom environment that is conducive for learning is a crucial aspect for successfully engaging students and exercising their critical thinking. From the first day, I strive to create a learning environment where all students feel welcome, comfortable, and encouraged to participate. I make the effort to get to know my students and build a good rapport with them. This allows me to create an environment where I can challenge students without discouraging them. Instead, they will feel motivated to participate and generate a better environment for learning.

I follow a traditional lecture-style of instruction in the classroom, but I actively engage with students through in-class exercises to identify those who need additional instructions or encouragement to succeed. Overall, my teaching approach has been well-received by students across institutions. This is reflected in their evaluations at the end of the semester, which include positive comments regarding my teaching approach. Although I have always maintained high average scores across courses, I always carefully review my student evaluations to gain perspective and acquire feedback to adapt as needed.

Detailed evidence of my teaching effectiveness is available here.