Teaching and Mentorship

The teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves. ~ Paulo Freire

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TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

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My philosophy of teaching is rooted in my experience as a first-generation student who struggled to find my way in academia. During my academic journey, I was lucky enough to encounter multiple educators who pushed and challenged me to be the best version of myself.  As an educator, I use the classroom to invite students to become themselves through engagement with diverse ideas, their peers, myself, and the communities around them.

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I use the words invite and engage purposively. Ultimately, I believe learning is a choice and it is active. Students must choose to learn and actively participate in their education. This is not to say that educators are passive facilitators. My role is to create the conditions for students to succeed. I also strive to motivate students to learn and take ownership over their education. I use engagement with course content, other students, communities, and myself to motivate students in both regards.

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COURSES DESIGNED/TAUGHT

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University of Texas at Arlington

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• The Metroplex

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Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Sustainable Communities

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University of California, San Diego

Lecturer

• The City and Social Theory

• History of Urban Planning and Design

• History of U.S. Urban Communities

• Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Cities

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Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Introduction to Urban Planning

• Urban World Systems

• Urban Sociology

• Urban Studies and Planning Senior Sequence

• Methods of Studying Race and Ethnicity

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - Chican@ History

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - Asian American History

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - African American History

• Communications, Institutions, and Power

• Political Sociology

• Sociology of Health and Healthcare Issues

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AWARDS

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• Honorable Mention for UT Arlington William S. Ward Endowment Award for Non-Tenure Faculty​​

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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• Credential in Effective College Instruction, Association of College and University Educators

  • Microcredential in Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment​

  • Microcredential in Promoting Active Learning

  • Microcredential in Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners

  • Microcredential in Designing Student-Centered Courses​

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