Teaching

My greatest teaching influences are the many wonderful teachers I've had and many teachers who have mentored me or worked alongside me. I also consider my students to be mentors; young people generally have a more accurate view of the direction the world is going, and it's important that we older folks continue to learn from them.

One of my favorite references on teaching philosophy and technique is Dr. Terry McGlynn of Science for Everyone. If you haven't subscribed to his weekly email, you should!

I hold a special place in my heart for science communicators. Their importance to health and society can't be overstated. A good story also inspires me as an educator, as well. Some inspirations include Ed Yong for his ability to turn science into a good story, Hank Green for his energy, Robin Wall Kimmerer for her philosophy of science, Rosemary Mosco for her sweetness and humor, and Carrie Poppy for her ability to combine deep empathy for people and love for the strange with intellectual rigor.

Courses Taught

CEFR training, grade 7. Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn Nonthaburi School (TUPN). Spring 2025 - present.

High school math, grade 10-12. Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn Nonthaburi School (TUPN). Spring 2025 - present.

High school science, grade 8-12. Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn Nonthaburi School (TUPN). Spring 2025 - present.

BIOL 1411 and BIOL 1411 L General Biology I. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; Wiley University. Fall 2016 - present. Syllabus.

BIOL 1422 and BIOL 1422 L General Biology II. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; Wiley University. Spring 2016 - present. Syllabus.

BIOL 2451 and BIOL 2451 L General Ecology. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; Wiley University. Fall and Spring; Fall 2015 - present. Syllabus.

BIOL 3491 and BIOL 3491 L Environmental Biology. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; Wiley University. Fall 2015 - present. Syllabus.

BIOL 4441 and BIOL 4441 L Microbiology. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; Wiley University. Spring 2021 - present. Syllabus.

BIOL 1401 and BIOL 1401 L Introduction to Biology. Undergraduate level; 4 credits; nonmajors; Wiley University. Fall 2015; Spring 2016; Fall 2016; Spring 2017; Spring 2018; Spring 2019; Fall 2019; Spring 2020. Syllabus.

BIOL 2301 Nutrition. Undergraduate level; nonmajors; 3 credits; Wiley University. Summer 2021; Summer 2021; Spring 2022. Syllabus.

BIOL 4241 Independent Study in Biology. Undergraduate level; nonmajors; 1 credit; Wiley University. Fall 2016; Fall 2017. Syllabus.

ENT 163 L Ornamental and Turf insects. Associates level; 3 credits; North Carolina State University. Teaching assistant.

BIO 181 L Introduction to Biology. Undergraduate level; North Carolina State University. Teaching assistant.

ENT 550 L Fundamentals of Insect Control. Graduate level; North Carolina State University. Teaching assistant.

Student Research

I have been a co-director of the Wiley University Research Symposium since 2020. You can see flyers and information from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 in the links. Research posters from some of the students I've mentored are below.

Awards

Exemplary Teacher of the Year, 2023.

National Society of Leadership and Success Impact Leadership Award, 2022.

Rockstar of the Month, February 2022.

Exemplary Teacher of the Year runner-up, 2019 and 2021.

Faculty Newcomer of the Year, 2016.

I went to college right after high school. I didn't technically flunk out, but I was on track for just that. I dropped out and joined the US Marine Corps.

Five years later, I went to college again, and I graduated summa cum laude with a double major. True, I had gained a little maturity and a lot of self-discipline. But, most importantly, I knew why I was in school, I wanted to learn, and I knew that I was capable of doing hard things.

This is the teaching section of my portfolio. In it, you'll find my teaching statement. You can also click to see a folder of my self-assessments, teaching observations, and course evaluations at Wiley.

The image above is of Dr. Julia Lee's piano recital in 2020, pictured with Dr. and Mrs. Truby Clayton and Dr. Greg McPherson.