As a teacher I strive to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment that allows all my students to succeed. My goal is to establish the classroom as a learning community in which students feel respected, accepted, supported and empowered to contribute to the learning experience. In my classes students are encouraged to go beyond memorizing relevant information to learn how to critically integrate that knowledge into larger conceptual frameworks. To this end my curriculum design is based on the following core principles:
- Design a Curriculum that promotes deep learning, encouraging students to critically apply the presented knowledge to understand and solve research problems. - Challenge students to become aware and take responsibility for their role in their learning experience. Learning and understanding are active processes and therefore are most effective when students are involved in the learning experience. - Harness the power of making mistakes in the learning process by creating an environment where students are not afraid to make mistakes, are encouraged to reflect on their mistakes and are rewarded for correcting their mistakes. - Develop curricula and assessment plans that acknowledge the diversity of students backgrounds and identities by focusing student assessment not on relative performance when compared to their peers but satisfaction of specific learning objectives and allowing for various alternative assessments to determine if these objectives are met.
If you want to learn more about how I implement this in the classroom watch my teaching video below
Teaching experience
2020 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Biology 205 Cell and Developmental Biology Fall 2020. (Cell Biology half) 2018 - 2021 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Honors Cell & Developmental Biology BIOL692H Guest lecturer and feedback on thesis talks 2017 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Biology 205 Cell and Developmental Biology Summer session 2 (Cell Biology half) 2015 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Biology 205 Cell and Developmental Biology Summer session 2 (Cell Biology half) 2013 - 2014 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences - Cell Biology (Co-Instructor) 2013 Graduate teaching Certificate, Northwestern University Searle Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning 2012 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences IGP-496 Introduction to Life Science Research (Guest lecturer)
Teaching related abstracts
Werner ME. Combining problem based, summative and formative assessments to promote students ability to critically read and analyze a research paper. Poster Presentation at the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Forum: “Critical Reflections on Learning” Northwestern University 2013
Teaching Philosophy
SCIENCE OUTREACH AND DEI
2020 Committee for developing and assembling teaching material promoting inclusivity in teaching in the Biology department at UNC 2013 Mentor for Science Club at the Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, a mentor-based after school program for underserved middle-grade youth designed to address STEM learning gaps by connecting in-school and out-of-school learning, through weekly, inquiry-based, small group instruction in a dedicated laboratory setting. 2011 Research mentor for Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Northwestern University Feinberg school of medicine, an undergraduate summer research program designed to increase educational access for students underrepresented in graduate education