Teaching Philosophy
My approach to graduate and professional development is grounded in care-centered pedagogy—the principle that meaningful learning happens when we center care for students' diverse experiences, their professional growth, and the real challenges they face in their careers. Drawing from over two decades of experience across diverse educational contexts, including correctional education, I design learning experiences that meet professionals where they are and empower them to transform their practice.
Professional development should model the very pedagogical approaches we hope educators will adopt. This means creating collaborative learning environments where participants engage in reflective practice, experiential learning, and community building. Like the educational innovation of Sesame Street, I believe in research-based approaches that make learning accessible and engaging while maintaining high standards.
Whether teaching future college instructors about inclusive pedagogy or helping professionals integrate educational technology thoughtfully, I emphasize the human elements of teaching and learning. Technology serves to enhance rather than replace human connection, and effective teaching stems from understanding and caring about our students' lived experiences and learning needs.
Course Offerings
LDES 8000: Capstone Portfolio
Capstone course for Masters students in Learning, Design, and Technology, focusing on the development of a comprehensive professional portfolio that demonstrates mastery of program competencies and reflects on the integration of learning design principles, educational technology expertise, and innovative pedagogical approaches. Students synthesize their graduate learning experience while preparing for professional practice in educational technology and instructional design roles.
Key Topics:
- Professional portfolio development and digital storytelling
- Reflection on learning design theory and practice
- Integration of educational technology competencies
- Career preparation and professional identity formation
- Synthesis of program learning outcomes and experiences
- Presentation and communication of professional expertise
GS 610: College Teaching
A comprehensive introduction to pedagogical theory and practice for graduate students preparing for academic careers. This course emphasizes evidence-based teaching strategies, inclusive pedagogy, and practical classroom management skills through reflective practice and experiential learning.
Key Topics:
- Evidence-based teaching strategies for diverse learners
- Inclusive and accessible learning environment design
- Assessment design and meaningful feedback practices
- Scholarship of teaching and learning methodologies
- Professional teaching portfolio development
- Reflective practice and peer mentoring
GS 630: Instructional Technology
Explores the thoughtful integration of educational technology to enhance learning outcomes. Focuses on research-based approaches to digital pedagogy and the human-centered design of technology-enhanced learning experiences, emphasizing technology as a tool for connection rather than replacement of human interaction.
Key Topics:
- Human-centered design in educational technology
- Digital equity and accessibility considerations
- Critical digital pedagogy frameworks
- Learning management system best practices
- Multimedia creation and integration strategies
- Assessment technologies and feedback tools
ETCV 614: Learning Technologies
Advanced exploration of emerging learning technologies and their applications in educational settings. Emphasizes critical evaluation of educational technology tools and their impact on learning outcomes through hands-on experience with cutting-edge platforms and pedagogical approaches.
Key Topics:
- Emerging technology trends in education
- Learning analytics and data-driven instruction
- Virtual and augmented reality applications
- Artificial intelligence in educational contexts
- Mobile learning and responsive design
- Technology implementation and change management
ENG 100: Introduction to Composition (Correctional Education)
Foundational writing course taught within a correctional education context, emphasizing care-centered pedagogy and flexible expectations while maintaining high academic standards. This experience provided crucial insights into teaching in challenging environments with limited technological resources and demonstrated the power of thoughtful material selection and empathetic instruction.
Pedagogical Innovations:
- Thoughtful material selection (Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, Brent Staples)
- Flexible expectations adapted to environmental constraints
- Meaningful feedback that builds confidence and recognizes experience
- High-quality course design within pre-structured curricula
- Communication through limited technological channels
- Supporting student agency and voice recognition
Pedagogical Approaches
Care-Centered Learning
Professional development that prioritizes participants' real challenges and diverse experiences, creating supportive environments for growth and transformation.
Community of Practice
Building networks among educators through collaborative projects, peer mentoring, and shared reflection on teaching experiences.
Experiential Learning
Hands-on opportunities to design, implement, and iterate on teaching approaches in supportive environments with meaningful feedback.
Inclusive Design
Emphasizing accessibility, digital equity, and culturally responsive teaching practices that serve diverse learner populations.
Professional Development Workshops
Introduction to Digital Pedagogy
Research-based approaches to integrating technology meaningfully in educational settings while maintaining focus on human connection and learning outcomes.
Facilitating Online Discussions
Building community and engagement in virtual learning environments through strategic facilitation and inclusive design practices.
Project-Based Learning Design
Creating authentic, collaborative learning experiences that connect to real-world applications and foster student agency.
Managing Academic Online Presence
Building professional digital identity and networks for academic and alternative academic careers with attention to privacy and authenticity.
Game-Based Learning Integration
Incorporating gamification and game elements thoughtfully to enhance engagement and learning while avoiding superficial implementations.
Maker Pedagogy Approaches
Hands-on, creative approaches to learning that emphasize construction, collaboration, and critical thinking through making.