Teaching

Philosophy and approach

Teaching leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, I have a responsibility to help students think differently to be successful in a rapidly evolving world. It is incumbent on me to teach the essential information for the course(s). Yet, I am also responsible for encouraging inspiration and wonder, supporting the self-exploration of ideas, and stimulating the desire to learn both in and out of the classroom.

I use various tools, techniques, and technology to teach new ideas and topics. I help identify and encourage using multiple, credible content sources from which students can review, consider, and learn. I strive to keep abreast of the latest in my fields so that my knowledge remains relevant and meaningful to the topics I teach.

I believe teachers should help students see potential and possibilities in themselves and their ideas. I endeavor to teach that failure provides the opportunity to apply new learnings to future endeavors rather than an end in itself. As part of this approach, I help students learn a little about themselves and how their lived experiences may both serve and limit who they wish to be in the world.

I am enthusiastic and passionate about the topics I teach, and these attributes flow through my teaching. I am tolerant and accepting of different views, and I strive to set a professional example in my conversations and written communications with students.

I believe students are responsible to me, their classmates, and themselves to be respectful, present, engaged, and willing to work to complete coursework. I also believe students should be ready to bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences forward, whenever possible, to enrich discussions and provide differing points of view from which everyone can learn. 

Finally, I am not concerned with student grades and achievement. Instead, I am concerned with what students learn about the topics I teach and I develop assignments to measure their learning mastery rather than to graded achievement.