We live on an amazing planet, and I love being able to introduce students to the natural world all around them. My goal as an educator is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need for success in future endeavors, to foster personal connections to the geosciences, and to promote a broader curiosity in science inquiry that extends beyond the classroom. But equally important, I strive to build accessible and inclusive educational settings where students are motivated to engage and build a sense of belonging; especially those from traditionally marginalized identities in science disciplines. It is difficult to see a path for yourself in a discipline when even the basic things you need to succeed in class are not available and you don’t see yourself represented, so my courses have a strong focus on access and representation. Additionally, weaving cultural and community knowledge into science curriculum helps emphasize that there are many ways of knowing; many ways to understand the way the world works. By re-examining traditional ways of teaching and learning geology, new approaches to teaching can enable everyone to participate, learn and thrive in the geosciences.
Courses taught at UF:
I teach a wide range of classes at UF and have been recognized for my teaching impact with the Claudia Alexander Award for Advancing Inclusive Excellence in STEM award from American Geophysical Union (team award with co-instructors, 2025), the University of Florida CLAS Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award (2024), and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Excellence in JEDI Award (2023).
GLY 1102 Age of Dinosaurs: Online Asynchronous. A popular gen ed course (<400 students per semester) that presents geology and biology basics through the topic of dinosaurs.
GLY 1880 – Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Other Hazards: Online Asynchronous. Explores the science behind natural hazards, and how hazards can become disasters with the complex interplay of people and the natural world. Mirrors the in-person course IDS 2935 Hazard and Humans in an online format.
IDS 2935 Hazards and Humans (Quest 2): In-person. This interdisciplinary course explores the science behind natural hazards, how hazards can become disasters with the complex interplay of people and the natural world, and the human aspects of disasters (disaster management, policy, psychology). Meets twice for lectures and once for interactive breakout activities each week.
GLY 2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology: Online Asynchronous. Covers the fundamental concepts of geology and investigates the interactions of nature and people (both individually and as a society) including natural hazards, resource utilization and environmental issues.
GLY 3882C Hydrology and Human Affairs: Online Asynchronous. Provides a foundation in hydrologic science, policy, and environmental considerations with an international lens.
GLY 4930 Professional Geology: Hybrid. Co-taught with UF Geology alumni, this course prepares students for the FG certification exam, creates networks with working professionals, exposes students to a wide range of career options within our discipline and covers professional development topics such as career mapping, geo-ethics and project management.
GLY4930 GeoSPACE Field Course: Hybrid with in-person and virtual sections running in tandem. A capstone level planetary geology field course that enables students to develop and apply skills in field geology, planetary geoscience, remote sensing and volcanology in Northern Arizona with an accessible, inclusive format. Development of this course was funded by NSF and won UF’s Exemplary Course desigation. More information on the project website: https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/geospace-field-program
GLY7979/7980 Graduate Research: Mentoring doctoral studies in geoscience education research. See Research page for current and alumni Grad and post-baccalaureate Student spotlights.
Courses taught at University of South Florida
As a graduate student at USF, I was able to lead two courses and assist with several others. My teaching as a graduate student was recognized with the USF Richard A. Davis Fellowship for Outstanding Graduate Student (2018) and an Honorable Mention for the USF Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching by a G.A. (2017).
- GLY2010 Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Physical Geology: In-person. Lecture course emphasizing the scientific method, critical thinking skills and data analysis to examine the fundamental processes of the Earth system through time. Core course for geology majors.
- ESC 2000 Introduction to Earth Science: In-person. Lecture/lab course examining the fundamental processes of the Earth system through time as well as the interactions between these spheres and the connections with people and society. Designed for students not intending to major in geology.
Teaching Assistant at USF for:
- GLY 3850 Geology for Engineers (in-person)
- OCE 2001 Introduction to Oceanography (online)
- GLY 4948 Geophysics Field Camp (in-person)
- GLY 6475C: Applied Geophysics / Physical Volcanology field research (in-person)
Course Taught at Northwest Arkansas Community College
In-between my MS and PhD training, I taught at NWACC and was recognized for student impact with the National Society of Leadership and Success Award of Excellence in Teaching (2011), and the NWACC “Halls of Excellence” Mentorship Award (2008).
- GEOL 1114 General Geology: In-person. Lecture/lab combination course that introduces the internal and external processes and features of the Earth and introduces basic GPS (global positioning system) fieldwork techniques and their applications in studying Earth’s processes.
