Efforts to Improve Teaching

My overriding goal is to balance my desire to challenge students to think critically and construct their own knowledge in the application of the theoretical material and to insure students grasp main ideas. All of my courses at all levels are challenging, rigorous courses requiring students to grapple with theoretical constructs by applying them in solving real-world problems, integrative real-world projects and products, and in analysis papers. (Please see Student Feedback in Binder # 1).

My teaching, research and service interests challenge me to continually reexamine my teaching. As my publications (both my journal articles, book chapters and my textbook) indicate, I continue to examine teaching and learning by systematically studying the process of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating instruction in a number of different contexts within my discipline and in related disciplines. For me, teaching is both a profession and a personal expression of what I value and what I study. Thus, I encourage students to make a commitment, to take risks and to strive for excellence. I challenge myself to do the same in my on-going self-assessment of my teaching and in my research endeavors.