Teaching
Philosophy
As a biologist, I know that the strength of any healthy ecosystem is its diversity. I apply this concept to my classroom, leveraging the diversity of my students to encourage multiple perspectives on course material. While each student has their own set of identities (racial, socio-economic, familial, etc...), I attempt to unite the classroom by encouraging students to formulate a “scientific identity” that can be tapped into both in the classroom and beyond.
I've had the opportunity to teach a number of courses through my academic tenure. Each time I enter the classroom, I look forward to the mutual learning experience ahead.
Experience
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Landscape Ecology for Environment and Natural Resources - Spring 2019, 2020
Management of Wildlife Habitat - Spring 2017, 2019, 2020
Principles of Ecosystem Restoration - Fall 2017
John Carroll University
Cleveland, OH
Human Biology for Non-majors - Spring 2015
Principles of Biology II - Fall 2015
Human Anatomy and Physiology - Fall & Spring 2013 -2015
Ohio Dominican University
Columbus, OH
Adjunct Faculty- Food, Water, and Environment - Spring 2019 (Online), Fall 2019 (F2F)
Westminster College
Salt Lake City, UT
Adjunct Faculty, Westminster College - Human Physiology - Fall & Spring 2016
Highlands Biological Field Station
Highlands, NC
Landscape Conservation of Amphibians (2-week field course) - Summer 2017
Outreach
I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of outreach opportunities that have reached a diversity of communities. Sharing my passions with my community is one of my favorite parts of the work I do. I am lucky enough to work in the communities in and around Columbus, OH as well as those in Highlands, NC
Most recently, I have partnered with CreechaKids, a conservation education organization focused on engaging and educating children about the world's animals, plants, and ecosystems. I have provided fun facts about a few of my own favorite creatures, and served as a liaison with other researchers to share their favorite animals. You can find their amazing work on their instagram, faceboook, and twitter feed (CreechaKids is the handle for all), and check out a few of my favorites below!
I have also worked with a number of grade school groups including New Albany High School in New Albany, OH, Amity High School in Connecticut, and Brookline Public School in Massachusetts. At these schools, I have mentored students, taken students into the field, and given outreach presentations.
I also work with an outdoor education school, Nature Connect, in Yellow Springs, OH which plugs kids into the nature around them. Nature Connect has a number of programs including campfire storytelling, nature sensory awareness, and empowerment. I participate in field trips and show kids how to flip logs and rocks to find their first toad or salamander.
I worked with Agraria Farms in Yellow Springs, OH to establish long term amphibian monitoring for teaching and research purposes. Agraria focuses on regenerative practices in agriculture and has a number of restoration projects in the works. I am helping establish monitoring efforts for before-after-impact-assessments for their stream re-meandering project. I'm also involved in some of the community events they hold to engage citizens with the great work they do!
While I am conducting fieldwork in North Carolina, I participate in the numerous community events hosted by Highlands Biological Station, most prominently including the Salamander Meander, where we take our community members into the gardens and show off the impressive diversity of salamanders around the Station.
