Teaching Philosophy
Science gives us the power to ask a question and then design a study to find the answer. I am passionate about teaching students about the scientific method, the diverse field of biology, and giving students opportunities to be involved in scientific research. Teaching not only makes me a better mentor but a better scientist, while improving scientific literacy that is important for the training of successful college graduates.
From my many years of teaching, I have learned a successful instructor encourages students to ask questions as part of the process of understanding biological concepts and gives students the knowledge and confidence to teach each other. When you give them the right tools they are able to think critically, work with their peers, and start to not just ask what something is but why it may be that way. I hope my enthusiasm for sharing my knowledge with others and learning about the natural world will inspire my students to think critically and continue learning through science.
Courses Taught
FIT: Ecology and Environmental Problems, Field Biology, Introductory Biology
Indiana University (Assistant Instructor): Ecology, Evolution, Vertebrate Zoology Lab, Introductory Biology Lab, Biology of the Senses (non-majors course)
Education Publications
Bonner, Jose, James Hengeveld, Richard Holdeman, William Ruf, and Evelyn Rynkiewicz. 2008-present. Biology L113 Laboratory Manual. Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Science gives us the power to ask a question and then design a study to find the answer. I am passionate about teaching students about the scientific method, the diverse field of biology, and giving students opportunities to be involved in scientific research. Teaching not only makes me a better mentor but a better scientist, while improving scientific literacy that is important for the training of successful college graduates.
From my many years of teaching, I have learned a successful instructor encourages students to ask questions as part of the process of understanding biological concepts and gives students the knowledge and confidence to teach each other. When you give them the right tools they are able to think critically, work with their peers, and start to not just ask what something is but why it may be that way. I hope my enthusiasm for sharing my knowledge with others and learning about the natural world will inspire my students to think critically and continue learning through science.
Courses Taught
FIT: Ecology and Environmental Problems, Field Biology, Introductory Biology
Indiana University (Assistant Instructor): Ecology, Evolution, Vertebrate Zoology Lab, Introductory Biology Lab, Biology of the Senses (non-majors course)
Education Publications
Bonner, Jose, James Hengeveld, Richard Holdeman, William Ruf, and Evelyn Rynkiewicz. 2008-present. Biology L113 Laboratory Manual. Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN