I have been active in a myriad of traditional and non-traditional teaching environments. I believe a diverse background in students, content and environment is critical to growth as an instructor. One of my unique strengths as an educator is my experience teaching and supervising in stressful and isolated conditions.
During my undergraduate career I was a Teaching and Research Assistant for Professor George Guo at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. In this role I first learned of my passion for teaching and collaborating on research publications. I owe much of my interest in the art to Dr. Guo's inspiration and excellent example. As an instructor he was motivated, always full of both praise and critique, and heavily stressed individual voice and scholarship as keys to success. In my current endeavors I often find myself referring back to his patient and nuanced leadership and guidance.
As a Leader for Trail Crews in conservation projects in Dinosaur National Monument and Olympic National Park I have managed crew dynamics, assessed/designed/executed trail projects, planned and executed food and recreation supplies and equipment budgets and conducted all transportation for backcountry and frontcountry projects. I have utilized and planned alongside native Environmental Education resources including Park Rangers, Graduate Students and Park Supervisors. In this role I have also organized environmental education activities that stress participatory learning about ecological functions. My responsibilities have included safety/equipment instruction, medical lectures, cooking lessons, and survival skills education. I have organized and conducted multiple medical evacuations in backcountry settings.
Conveying trail design dynamics to teenagers form a variety of backgrounds can be a challenging task. My training in active listening and consensus building have facilitated these tasks immeasurably.
I have also nurtured my experience with students as a tutor with NCAA student athletes. This role has presented its own set of challenges stemming largely from reticent learners without proper academic preparation from high school. As a tutor I have been thrown into tutoring diverse and unrelated subjects often outside my specialization. Study skills, note taking, class participation strategies, exam preparation and writing mechanics are all areas I have assisted with. Engaging this sample of individuals has expanded my understanding of learning differences based on a variety of factors.
Finally, this spring I will serve as a Teaching Assistant for the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. I am excited to apply my skills at one of the premiere IS schools in the country, and look forward to gaining new experiences as well. In this role I have been well prepared by Professor Joel Migdal's "Teaching International Studies" Graduate Seminar.
I have also nurtured my experience with students as a tutor with NCAA student athletes. This role has presented its own set of challenges stemming largely from reticent learners without proper academic preparation from high school. As a tutor I have been thrown into tutoring diverse and unrelated subjects often outside my specialization. Study skills, note taking, class participation strategies, exam preparation and writing mechanics are all areas I have assisted with. Engaging this sample of individuals has expanded my understanding of learning differences based on a variety of factors.
Finally, this spring I will serve as a Teaching Assistant for the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. I am excited to apply my skills at one of the premiere IS schools in the country, and look forward to gaining new experiences as well. In this role I have been well prepared by Professor Joel Migdal's "Teaching International Studies" Graduate Seminar.
