My teaching Experience

Where do students learn best? In an equitable learning environment

Throughout my academic career, I’ve taken advantage of opportunities where I’ve learned how to teach better – lessons that I hope will continue throughout my teaching career. These experiences have shaped my teaching philosophy. I believe that students deserve an equitable learning environment, which requires a teacher who continues to adapt and grow to create the best situation for learning. 

I’ve asked myself, what were the classrooms/teachers like wherein I’ve done my best learning? That question guided me in thinking how students learn. My best learning came about when the teacher was engaged and eager, pushing their curiosity and passion onto me, even if I initially had no interest. I learned best when I was able to learn in multiple ways, like by first hearing the material in lecture and then later exploring the topics in hands-on activities on my own. Finally, I found that learning should be appropriately challenging, whether you’re a beginner in a topic or you think you’ve mastered the course material.

Teaching Experience

Certificate in College and University Teaching
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2018

Gelfand Center Saturday Class Instructor
Carnegie Mellon University - 2019
Supervisor: Pamela Piskurich
Designed and taught wearable computers courses to middle school students.

Science & Engineering Research Academy Course Instructor
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2018
Supervisor: Lina Kim
Designed and taught course on research in polymer science and engineering.  

Science & Engineering Research Academy Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2017
Science & Engineering Research Academy, Supervisor: Lina Kim
Taught lecture, assisted in labs for class on properties of light.  

Materials 188: Materials in Energy Technologies Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2015
Supervisor: Chris Van de Walle
Prepared and taught lectures on materials in energy technologies.

Chem 1AL: Gen. Chem. Lab. Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2015
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Supervisor: Petra Van Koppen
Supervised classroom labs, prepared discussion, and designed quizzes for general chemistry.

School for Scientific Thought Course Instructor
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2014
Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships, Supervisor: Wendy Ibsen
Designed an original course (five two-hour Saturday sessions) on polymers and organic electronics for high school students. 

Materials 101: Intro. to the Structure and Properties of Materials Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2014
Supervisor: Professor Jim Speck
Drafted lesson plans, homework questions, and exam problems while teaching a discussion section.

Mathematics and Science Teaching Program Learning Assistant
University of California, Davis - 2011
Supervisor: Dr. David Webb
Provided individual assistance to students in an undergraduate physics class               

CalTeach Teaching Assistant
Modesto Junior College - 2010
Supervisor: Professor Catherine Green
Assisted students in high school math and science classes