Teaching

I am passionate about teaching and mentoring and I strongly believe in student-focused, active learning techniques supported by education research. As educators, we have the ability to shape and support early-career scientists and I take this role very seriously. I aim to create an inclusive and comfortable classroom, where everyone is welcome to learn and engage with the course material at a deep level.

Natural Resources (NRES) 101 - Orientation - Lecture/Field Course

An introductory course for freshman and students new to the major (Natural Resource Science) in the School of Natural Resources. The goal of this course is to give newcomers an overview of the various career pathways possible with a natural resource degree and to help them begin building a network of connections in the department. We offer a variety of professional development opportunities through assignments and are most often on field trips for hands-on experiences. We visit the State Museum collection on campus, have Conservation Officers come and speak, go to the Outdoor Education Center to learn about archery, shooting sports, and wildlife education, and many more. Most students form important friendships with other students in their cohort during this class and my main objective is to be a smiling, familiar face and person of contact should they have any questions or need guidance during their first semester. I also graded assignments and helped put students in touch with resources when questions or need arose. It’s an extremely rewarding class to be a part of.

Fall semesters, approximately 35 students, meets Wednesdays for 3 hours
- sole instructor and coordinator (F2019)

Natural Resources (NRES) 220 - General Ecology - Lecture

This course meets three times a week in a large lecture hall and is an introduction to the field of ecology, covering basic principles of ecology to conservation biology and applications to agro-ecology. My responsibilities included teaching when the primary instructor was out, offering tutoring and instructional support for students, note-taking for students with special accommodations, and assisting with grading of exams and assignments.

Spring and Fall semesters, up to 100 students, lecture, meets MWF
- co-taught with primary instructor (F2019)

Natural Resources (NRES) 222 - Ecology Laboratory - Lab and Field Course

This course consists of weekly lab workshops, three of which are field excursions to collect a variety of data and learn sampling techniques. My responsibilities included providing logistical and instruction support in the field (assisting with plant identification, answering questions, etc.), running the weekly labs by independently leading students through data analysis in program R and/or relevant conceptual lectures, helping students develop written communication skills through comprehensive scientific reports, meeting with students to assist them with material, and grading worksheets and reports.

Fall semesters, 20-25 students per section, weekly 3 hour laboratory
- assisted as teaching assistant (1 section; F2015 and F2016)
- co-taught with professor (1 section; F2017)
- lead instructor (1 section) and support instructor (1 section) (F2019)

I also created the written report rubric now used for this course.

Natural Resources (NRES) 233 - Wildlife Field Techniques - Field Course
Cedar Point Biological Station, Ogallala, NE

Fall semesters, 20-25 students per section, weekly 3 hour laboratory
- assisted as teaching assistant (1 section; F2015 and F2016)
- co-taught with professor (1 section; F2017)
- lead instructor (1 section) and support instructor (1 section) (F2019)