“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Socrates
Teaching is an art, not a science. There is no single method or recipe for being a successful teacher. A teacher should provide the spark of inquisition, a kindling that expands beyond the classroom and into the lab, the field, and for many, beyond the ivory walls of academia entirely. As a teacher, research advisor, and mentor, I consider myself a facilitator of learning rather than an encyclopedia. I challenge students to broaden their ideas, think outside the box, and to truly engage with the difficult issues of environmental conservation and sustainability in our modern society. My ultimate goal is to encourage students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, and strong communicators who apply their knowledge to the outside world and teach others to do the same.
Teaching is an art, not a science. There is no single method or recipe for being a successful teacher. A teacher should provide the spark of inquisition, a kindling that expands beyond the classroom and into the lab, the field, and for many, beyond the ivory walls of academia entirely. As a teacher, research advisor, and mentor, I consider myself a facilitator of learning rather than an encyclopedia. I challenge students to broaden their ideas, think outside the box, and to truly engage with the difficult issues of environmental conservation and sustainability in our modern society. My ultimate goal is to encourage students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, and strong communicators who apply their knowledge to the outside world and teach others to do the same.
Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I (Plymouth State University ESP 2100): Provides and introduction to the physical, ecological, and social and political principles of environmental science while introducing students to field methods for assessing environmental condition.
Applied GIS (ESP 5780):
GIS Applications in Environmental Science (GE 4140):
Sustainable Communities (Sustainability Minor Capstone - IS 4410)
Foundations of Environmental Policy (ESP 2300)
Conservation Biology and Environmental Sustainability (Virginia Tech, FIW 5984)**: This course examines the history, theories, current status, and future prospects of biodiversity conservation as it relates to the larger societal enterprise of sustainability. We emphasize the study, practice, and scientific and social contexts of conservation and sustainability and synthesize ecological, economic, social, and cultural perspectives of conservation approaches, including those focused on ecosystem services, focal species, and economics. Spring 2013, 2014
Biology of Extinction & Conservation (UMD, BSCI 363)* Course objectives: to investigate the principles and practices of conservation biology, to understand the causes of extinction and biodiversity loss, to explore possible mechanisms for conservation, to introduce students to research and quantitative aspects of ecology and conservation, and to synthesize and apply knowledge and tools learned throughout biology curriculum. Spring 2011and 2012
Conservation Biology Lab (UMD, BSCI 338q)* Course objectives: to provide applied experience with analytical tools and data collections techniques commonly used in the field of conservation biology. Spring 2011 and 2012
Strategies for Sparking Behavioral Change (CONS 608)*: a transition from conservation practices to a conservation ethic (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on conservation behavior, social marketing strategies, and environmental literacy. Spring 2012
Conservation Biology (CONS 670)*: In this course we investigate the principles and practices of Conservation Biology, synthesize and apply prior ecological and socioeconomic knowledge to conservation issues, and develop communication and analytical skills germane to the field. Spring 2011& Fall
2011
Adaptive Project Management (CONS 609)**: The purpose of this course is to equip students with the skills necessary for effective project cycle management in the conservation sector. The course is based on the Conservation Measures Partnership’s Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, which is a collaborative effort by major conservation NGOs to standardize the process of project cycle management. Fall 2011
Future Role of Zoos in Conservation (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on the historical, current, and future role of zoos and aquaria in conservation. Spring 2011
Invasion Ecology (ENST 689)* Course objectives: to understand the complex concepts and methods of invasion ecology, to develop and implement field research pertaining to invasive species and to evaluate and create invasive species management plans. Fall 2010
Conservation in a Working Landscape (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on the history of biodiversity conservation and an exploration of current and future conservation outside of protected areas. Fall 2010
Advanced Conservation Biology and Sustainability (FIW 4984)* Reading and discussion seminar in the Dept.of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences for seniors. Course objectives: to analyze and discuss contemporary issues facing conservation biologists worldwide, to explore sustainable practices for natural resources and biodiversity management, and to prepare juniors and seniors in natural resources for careers in conservation and for future graduate studies. Spring 2010
Conservation Biology (FIW 4314)** Capstone Course objectives: to investigate the principles and practices of conservation biology, understand the causes of biodiversity loss and mechanisms for conservation, and synthesize and apply knowledge and tools learned throughout fisheries and wildlife sciences curriculum. Students conduct a semester-long project focused on the research and management of a National Wildlife Refuge. Fall 2008 & 2009.
Teaching Assistantships: Problem-Solving in Conservation and Development (CONS 680); The World of Biology for Non-majors (BSCI 103); Principles of Biology II (BSCI 106), University of Maryland; Introduction to Environmental Studies, Eckerd College.
Applied GIS (ESP 5780):
GIS Applications in Environmental Science (GE 4140):
Sustainable Communities (Sustainability Minor Capstone - IS 4410)
Foundations of Environmental Policy (ESP 2300)
Conservation Biology and Environmental Sustainability (Virginia Tech, FIW 5984)**: This course examines the history, theories, current status, and future prospects of biodiversity conservation as it relates to the larger societal enterprise of sustainability. We emphasize the study, practice, and scientific and social contexts of conservation and sustainability and synthesize ecological, economic, social, and cultural perspectives of conservation approaches, including those focused on ecosystem services, focal species, and economics. Spring 2013, 2014
Biology of Extinction & Conservation (UMD, BSCI 363)* Course objectives: to investigate the principles and practices of conservation biology, to understand the causes of extinction and biodiversity loss, to explore possible mechanisms for conservation, to introduce students to research and quantitative aspects of ecology and conservation, and to synthesize and apply knowledge and tools learned throughout biology curriculum. Spring 2011and 2012
Conservation Biology Lab (UMD, BSCI 338q)* Course objectives: to provide applied experience with analytical tools and data collections techniques commonly used in the field of conservation biology. Spring 2011 and 2012
Strategies for Sparking Behavioral Change (CONS 608)*: a transition from conservation practices to a conservation ethic (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on conservation behavior, social marketing strategies, and environmental literacy. Spring 2012
Conservation Biology (CONS 670)*: In this course we investigate the principles and practices of Conservation Biology, synthesize and apply prior ecological and socioeconomic knowledge to conservation issues, and develop communication and analytical skills germane to the field. Spring 2011& Fall
2011
Adaptive Project Management (CONS 609)**: The purpose of this course is to equip students with the skills necessary for effective project cycle management in the conservation sector. The course is based on the Conservation Measures Partnership’s Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, which is a collaborative effort by major conservation NGOs to standardize the process of project cycle management. Fall 2011
Future Role of Zoos in Conservation (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on the historical, current, and future role of zoos and aquaria in conservation. Spring 2011
Invasion Ecology (ENST 689)* Course objectives: to understand the complex concepts and methods of invasion ecology, to develop and implement field research pertaining to invasive species and to evaluate and create invasive species management plans. Fall 2010
Conservation in a Working Landscape (CONS 608)* Reading and discussion seminar focusing on the history of biodiversity conservation and an exploration of current and future conservation outside of protected areas. Fall 2010
Advanced Conservation Biology and Sustainability (FIW 4984)* Reading and discussion seminar in the Dept.of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences for seniors. Course objectives: to analyze and discuss contemporary issues facing conservation biologists worldwide, to explore sustainable practices for natural resources and biodiversity management, and to prepare juniors and seniors in natural resources for careers in conservation and for future graduate studies. Spring 2010
Conservation Biology (FIW 4314)** Capstone Course objectives: to investigate the principles and practices of conservation biology, understand the causes of biodiversity loss and mechanisms for conservation, and synthesize and apply knowledge and tools learned throughout fisheries and wildlife sciences curriculum. Students conduct a semester-long project focused on the research and management of a National Wildlife Refuge. Fall 2008 & 2009.
Teaching Assistantships: Problem-Solving in Conservation and Development (CONS 680); The World of Biology for Non-majors (BSCI 103); Principles of Biology II (BSCI 106), University of Maryland; Introduction to Environmental Studies, Eckerd College.