Teaching
University 101
Finalist for University 101 Teacher of the Year 2015
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. -Mahatma Gandhi
My passion is service. Therefore, I knew from the moment I signed up to teach a UNIV101 class I was going to utilize service-learning to help break down barriers (resistance) and to help build community. My sections of UNIV101 have focused up to this moment on the following topics: hunger (Harvest Hope Food Bank), disability awareness (The ARC of South Carolina), and refugee integration (Carolina Refugee Agency) in the Columbia community.
One of my main goals for my students is to become fully engaged at USC in whatever they are passionate about. From day one, we discuss the numerous opportunities afforded to them while they are in college to explore and try different things, but most importantly recognize that it’s ok to try something and fail or not like it. Those seemingly ‘failed’ experiences I emphasize teach them as much about themselves as their successes. Exploring the landscape of USC and finding their niche is also about establishing a community and having a vested interest in some aspect of their participation within that community. Finding their place at USC early in their college experience is vital to their well being not only socially but also academically. Students know that I will make every effort to assist them in finding their niche as I make it a priority to go the extra mile to take notes if they mentioned an interest or hobby in class and to follow up with them via email with a club or application for a student leader role that fits their interest.
I believe that students are equally important facilitators in the classroom because fundamentally each person has something valuable to contribute to society. It is only through sharing our experiences and insights that everyone’s eyes are open to a more universal truth. Mimicking the concept of civic participation in a civil society in the classroom allows me to bring in concepts related to service in how we conduct ourselves within the classroom session reinforcing that we all have a role to play in making the world we live in a better place.
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One of my former students' UNIV101 experience. Click here.
University 401
I have been fortunate to teach five in-person sections and two online 8-week sections of UNIV401 for GLD since I began working with the USC Connect office in Feb. 2016. This course provides an opportunity for students to reflect with fellow students and receive weekly guidance in completing their GLD e-portfolio. Using guided reflections the goal is to maximize students understanding of integrative learning by connecting their within and beyond the classroom experiences.
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One of my former students' UNIV401 experience. Click here.
