I have experience teaching in informal and formal settings, both in-person and online, and in working with audiences from pre-K to adults. I value the co-production of knowledge among instructors and students, and so I employ an active learning pedagogy that facilitates interaction while respecting the different ways in which students feel comfortable participating. I take a whole-student approach to teaching and work with students and support staff to ensure that student mental and physical well-being are addressed in and out of the classroom.

Water Quality Monitoring with SPARK students

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Cornell University

Teaching Assistantships

  • Planning for Environmental Conservation and Sustainability (NTRES 4600). (Graduate teaching assistant, facilitated in-class and online activities, graded assignments).

  • Society and Natural Resources (NTRES 2201). (Graduate Teaching Assistant, led discussion sections, graded exams, managed Canvas course site).

  • Nature and Culture (NTRES 2320). (Graduate Teaching Assistant. Mentored undergraduate students in critical thinking and analytic writing, graded writing assignments and exams).

Online Course Instruction

  • Climate Change Science, Communication, and Action (NTRES 2500). (Instructor, 6-week 1-credit course taught concurrently as a massive open online course for an international audience).

  • Climate Change Science, Communication, and Action Massive Open Online Course. (Instructor, facilitator. Co-developed 6-week non-credit massive open online course for international audience).

  • Climate Change Communication for Environmental Education Online Course. (Co-instructed 6-week non-credit online course for environmental education professionals).

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Teaching Assistantships

  • Literature of Natural History (EFB 404). (Graduate Teaching Assistant, undergraduate seminar. Facilitated course discussion, lectured on elements of literary analysis).

  • Museums (EFB 405). (Graduate Teaching Assistant. Co-developed syllabus, coordinated field trip to Ottawa, Canada).

  • Diversity of Mammals (EFB 483). (Graduate Teaching Assistant, ran cross-listed undergraduate and graduate laboratory).

  • General Biology (EFB 102). (Graduate Teaching Assistant, ran introductory undergraduate laboratory).

Environmental Education

  • Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Wallops Island, VA Education Director (2010-2015)

    • Oversaw direction of all education programs and staff at a residential environmental learning center and research field station that emphasized coastal ecology. Organized the development of annual education program budget. Coordinated schedules for education staff, facilities, equipment, vessels and meals. Directed development of new programs and program partnerships. Liaison to the Academic Advisory Council, made up of member faculty. Coordinated and directed hiring, training, and evaluation of all education staff. Taught Coastal Ecology School Program, Marine Science Summer Camps, Adult and Family Programs and College Programs as needed. Served as a deck-hand on CBFS research vessels as needed. Developed citizen water quality monitoring program and volunteer shoreline restoration program.

  • Naturally New York, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY Coordinator (2009-2010)

    • Coordinated monthly natural history training program for Syracuse area adults. Designed recruitment materials, developed lecture schedule and coordinated with guest lecturers. Led bi-monthly field trips to local parks.

  • Chittenango Falls State Park, Cazenovia, NY Summer Program Coordinator (2009)

    • Researched, created and implemented weekly public programs for various audiences. In charge of all program publicity. Planned and implemented summer special events.

  • The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY Instructor Naturalist (2007-2008)

    • Taught elementary and middle school students in a residential program that emphasized ecology and history and honed team-building skills through a variety of ecology, living history, and adventure classes.