My teaching experience ranges from introductory core to upper-level courses focused primarily in ecology, conservation and natural history.
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Studying the natural world and observing organisms’ adaptations and mechanisms have allowed me to discover how new fascinating experiences translate into knowledge. From the basics of observing the morphological structure of a plant or the interactions it may have with an animal species, to identifying the characteristics of the habitat that it occupies, understanding how we learn is a fundamental question. I believe that teaching also provides a constant opportunity for learning and enjoying science, both from the new perception that my students acquired and from evaluating the effectiveness of my own teaching.
In my courses, I encourage hands-on experiences to allow my students to learn by doing science and conservation, and applying it to other disciplines or personal interests. I believe that “doing” instills creativity and curiosity in students, fostering personal investment and maintenance of focus in the course, while also improving their understanding of core concepts. I highly value educational opportunities that incorporate a multidisciplinary approach that connect student to real-world and global issues through a sound training in hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis. In my courses, I strive to illuminate the interaction of ecology and the environment in shaping the function and evolution of all species. I also highlight the role of science and society in our everyday lives and in shaping current and future events, and treat conservation and environmental sustainability not just as topics to cover, but also as a way to enhance the value that natural resources and ecosystems have for human life. I aim to provide and teach students to find and evaluate the best information on global conservation challenges while motivating my students to critically examine the information, form their own opinions, and take action by adopting practices that benefit our common future.
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Courses taught and approaches
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Introduction to Environmental Issues
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Natural and Cultural History of the PNW
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Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL courses)
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Using technology and social media in natural history courses
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Visual gallery on my teaching activities
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