I believe my role in the classroom is a facilitator of information and new concepts. I like to challenge the students by encouraging them to participate in classroom discussion and allowing them to express their opinions freely. My focus is to present challenging, interesting, thought provoking, current, and relevant material. As an educator, my purpose is to foster a positive learning environment that is stimulating, motivating, participative and supportive.

I strive to teach with enthusiasm, creativity, organization, and clarity, but I also endeavor to make the learning experience enjoyable. For example, I often start my lectures by telling a personal experience that relates to the current day’s lecture. In my classes students further develop analytical skills, independent and critical thinking.

Teaching does not only take the form of traditional classroom lecturing, but can also occur through conversations. The use of technology plays an integral part in the learning process. Technology usage in the classrooms will come in many forms which will include utilizing all tools available on BlackBoard (BB), when applicable and certainly power point slides which is an ingrained part of any instructional setting. These components of teaching make academic advising a vital part in my teaching program. I believe in proactive system of teaching, thus, I often allow students to participate in the decision making process during the semester.

The faculty-student relationship must be based on mutual respect and understanding. The faculty member’s role should be that of a coach, or a director who sets goals for his/her team to achieve and assist in achieving those goals. The instructor should capitalize on the distinction of the student body by encouraging creativity and new ideas that will enhance and ease the teaching/learning process. It is my goal not only to provide my students with the basic understanding of the material, but also to enable them to work with each other in-group settings, be creative, and to effectively communicate their ideas and concerns.

Students should be viewed as individuals that are capable of anything and everything, however, instructors must be able to recognize the abilities, talents, and deficits of their students and systematically work on reducing the deficits and nurturing their capacities. My objective is to provide the learning experience that will enable the student to have the opportunity to effectively compete and excel in their future endeavors.