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 Cincinnati

Adjunct Instructor, School of Planning

• Planning in Urban Communities (Summer 2026)

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San Diego State University

Lecturer, Department of Political Science

• Public Issues and Debates (Spring 2026)

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University of Texas at Arlington

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Public Affairs and Planning

• The Metroplex (Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2023)

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Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Public Affairs and Planning

• Sustainable Communities (Fall 2020, Spring 2021)

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University of California, San Diego

Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning

• History of U.S. Urban Communities (Summer 2019, Summer 2026)

• San Diego Community Research (Spring 2026)

• The City and Social Theory (Summer 2023)

• History of Urban Planning and Design (Summer 2022, Summer 2023)

• Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Cities (Fall 2018)

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Graduate Teaching Assistant, Multiple Departments

• Introduction to Urban Planning (Spring 2017, Spring 2020)

• Urban World Systems (Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Fall 2019)

• Urban Sociology (Spring 2018)

• Urban Studies and Planning Senior Sequence (Fall 2017, Winter 2018)

• Methods of Studying Race and Ethnicity (Fall 2018)

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - Chican@ History (Spring 2015, Summer 2016)

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - Asian American History (Winter 2015, Summer 2016)

• Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. - African American History (Fall 2014)

• Communications, Institutions, and Power (Spring 2019)

• Political Sociology (Winter 2019)

• Sociology of Health and Healthcare Issues (Spring 2018)

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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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