EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
My teaching philosophy starts with my belief that everyone can learn and I am a catalyst for learning. My teaching style is student-centered and focused on individual needs, contemporary relevance, and preparing students for a changing future.
School is seen as an institution that works with youth to improve society or help students realize their individuality. Moreover, I am progressive, a social reconstructionist, and an existentialist. This allows me to place the learner at the center of the educational process. As a consequence, I believe students and teachers should work together on determining what should be learned and how best to learn it.
In my class the learner as the central focus of classroom activities. Therefore, I work with the student’s interests and needs, so I serve as guides and facilitators in assisting students to reach their goals and emphasis is on the future, and on preparing students to be independent-thinking adults.
In conclusion, I strive to provide instruction that is relevant, and hands-on learning. Moreover, I want students to actively work to improve society and give students complete freedom, and complete responsibility, with regard to their education.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I am interested in a career in academia and have completed my doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Wake Forest University. My dissertation title was “The Genetics of Obesity and Diabetes in the IRAS Family Study,” and I gained a lot of experience using high throughput techniques.
I was interested in studying genetic contributions to common diseases in minority populations and enjoyed research as well as teaching. In pursuit of my goals to work in academia, I am currently the Chair of Sciences at Livingstone College and would like to continue to provide instruction to students using different methods of instruction for all types of learners.
I have a Master of Science degree in Chemistry, and worked on my MAT in Chemistry Secondary Education, plus, I have a lateral entry license for the State of North Carolina. Furthermore, I wanted to bring more to the classroom by pursuing my MAT in Chemistry Secondary Education, to complement my teaching and research experience gained during my matriculation at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In addition, I have a lot of teaching experience with lecturing various biology topics and enjoy working with students in the classroom.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I have teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant, Instructor, Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor and Chair of Biology/ Chemistry.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I enjoy reading, martial arts, yoga, swimming, and spending time with loved ones.
