Digital Teaching Portfolio

Emily B. Cahoon 

Ph.D. & R.G. 

(she/her/hers)*



what drives me as an educator and a mentor in the geosciences



*why is this important?

Welcome!

I'm captivated by igneous environments! My research explores continental flood basalt volcanism and my expertise is in geochemistry, petrology, ArAr geochronology, and volcanology. I enjoy comparing characteristics and trends between volcanic systems, especially the challenge of distinguishing geochemical and spatial variability with time! 

I am also an enthusiastic educator! My goal is to clearly convey both simple and complex topics to a variety of audiences without oversimplification. I have earned a Certificate of Innovation in College Teaching, a certificate in Universal Design for Learning, and have experience teaching a variety of 100- and 300-level courses as instructor of record. I am also passionate about science communication, striving to present accessible science while supporting an inclusive and equitable learning environment. These opportunities have improved my teaching and communication skills by providing me exposure-to and experience-with higher education research initiatives and evidence-based instructional approaches. 


The following content summarizes how my experiences (inside and outside of the classroom) have helped me identify innovations in higher education and shaped me as an educator in the field of geology!

Courses Taught

(in-person & online)


Physical Geology

Environmental Geology

Mineralogy

Petrology

Volcanology

Geological Data Analysis and Visualization

Petrography

Teaching Certificates & Professional Workshops

     Office of Academic Innovation, Portland State University, OR 


     Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, OR



Learning Management Systems

Desie2Learn (D2L), Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas

Related Conference Contributions

Mentorship

Philosophy

My mentorship philosophy is student-centric. I aim to serve as a broker connecting students with opportunities that enable them to make informed professional decisions. I am extremely passionate about civility, high-quality leadership, and constructive mentorship and management practices... these need to be valued in the academic workplace!

Dr. Christine Porath discusses the science behind this in my absolute favorite TED talk! (15 min listen)

"Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business"

Students


Dr. Porath begins her talk by asking...


“Who do you want to be? 

It’s a simple question, and whether you know it or not, you’re answering it every day through your actions. This one question will define your professional success more than any other, because 

how you show up and treat people means everything. 

Either you lift people up by respecting them, making them feel valued, appreciated and heard, or you hold people down by making them feel small, insulted, disregarded or excluded.”

My education, teaching experience, research interests, conference papers/presentations, academic leadership and service, membership in professional organizations, etc.

My philosohpy of both teaching and learning in the classroom, out in the field, and in the professional world


My philosophy and efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in the geosciences


Ideas I want to implement as part of student mentoring and motiviate other research advisors in my future department


My goals for future courses, collaborative projetcs, and mentoring opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students


Reflections of teaching methods through videoed consultations, peer evaluations, and student feedback 


Science communication, workshops & professional organizations, and my participation in Lesson Study


Teaching resources and best practices in the age of virtual delivery

Bringing anti-racism into geoscience curriculum.


in-progress

Questions? Please reach out!

Email: emily.cahoon@oregonstate.edu

        Instagram: emily.cahooner

I am always excited to discuss collaborative teaching ideas & opportunities!

 last updated in May 2022

A faculty position combines my passion for teaching, mentorship, and research of magmatic environments – with an emphasis on field investigations and volcanic terranes. My long-term career goal is to examine processes that lead to unique geologic environments, mentor undergraduate and graduate students to be productive and socially aware scientists in both industry and academic geology, and collaborate with other analytical but imaginative scientists. 

I aim to explore research topics that are creative and applicable for human innovation - combining my passion for geologic investigation with my interpersonal communication skills. I approach my work with intention - and motivate others through a positive attitude, inventive research, and candid approach to scientific discovery.