Courses
As a sociology professor, my pedagogical approach fosters an environment in which students think critically about the social world and engage with the larger community. For me, sociological instruction allows students to develop new perspectives and apply sociological theories and concepts to the world around them. In my classes, I cultivate learning environments in which all students are active participants and can develop their intellectual curiosity. I promote cooperative and inclusive environments in which students learn from their peers and discuss and debate important issues. Furthermore, I develop students’ analytical capacity, through innovative assignments and activities. By situating sociological concepts in real world experiences, I prepare students for diverse careers and academic pursuits and cultivate an ongoing desire to question our social world.
Sociology of Education
To encourage open discussion, I harness students’ individual experiences so that they become their own teachers and facilitators of knowledge. I incorporate writing exercises and leadership assignments so that students feel confident sharing their perspectives in the classroom.
Research Methods
I cultivate students’ understanding of different methodological approaches in the social sciences. I believe that at the end of any sociology class students should be able to interpret modes of sociological inquiry and discern why an empirical procedure best answers a specific research question.
Urban Sociology
Central to my goal as an instructor is to help students apply sociological concepts to their life experiences and writing. I believe that sociology comes alive for students when they can see how class material connects to their everyday experiences.
Student Testimonials
“She was a wonderful professor and extremely encouraging of participation in class and everyone's ideas and thoughts. I really enjoyed coming to class for every session and she was so creative with the class structures and the teaching strategies that she used that kept everyone engaged and made each class different from the next.”
— Sociology of Education Student 2019
“This course was wonderfully engaging, loaded with information and sharpened my sociological and critical thinking skills.”
— Urban Sociology Student 2022
“Amazing professor! Her lectures are very informative and she is extremely kind. The environment was very tranquil and understanding. I would not change a thing about this course. I loved that it was challenging and informative!”
— Survey of Research Methods Student, Fall 2022
Together my pedagogical practices and teaching development activities show that I strive to learn from my students in the classroom and that I cultivate students’ critical thinking. My student evaluations and reviews demonstrate that students benefit from my teaching methods. I bring the discipline to life for my students by encouraging them to apply important concepts to their own experiences, to engage thoroughly with key research methods, to develop constructive peer feedback, and to participate actively in class discussions.