Teaching Philosophy

I believe students engage most deeply when they understand the value of what they're learning — not just its academic purpose, but its relevance to their goals, their work, and their lives beyond the course. I approach instructional design the way I approach research: with intentional scaffolding, frequent formative feedback, and a willingness to change how I teach something before I change what I expect of students. I am committed to creating inclusive environments where students' identities and prior experiences are treated as assets, and where the conditions for meaningful learning are built deliberately into the design of the course itself.

Classroom discussion at a conference

Courses Taught

Old Dominion University Spring 2026

AI in Education: Design, Teaching, and Assessment

Discussion-based exploration of generative AI's impact on teaching, learning, and instructional design. Designed and delivered for an internationally diverse cohort of K–12 and higher education practitioners through ODU's Office of International Collaborations.

Graduate · Online Synchronous · International cohort

Old Dominion University Fall 2025

Introduction to AI in Education

Foundational course in AI literacy, critical evaluation, and project-based application across K–12 and higher education contexts. First offering in a two-semester sequence; positive outcomes informed the design of the subsequent course.

Graduate · Online Synchronous · International cohort

Old Dominion University Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Learning to Learn

Undergraduate course in academic self-regulation, study strategies, and metacognitive skill development. Emphasized evidence-based practices and active-learning strategies across two semesters of iterative course improvement.

Undergraduate · In-person

Newport News Public Schools Beginning Fall 2026

CTE Business Education

Secondary business education courses emphasizing career readiness, technology integration, and real-world application of business concepts. Virginia-licensed in Business Education and Marketing Education.

Secondary · CTE

Guest Lecturer

IDT 860: Cognition and Instructional Design

Old Dominion University · Spring 2026

Graduate

Guest Lecturer

IDT 837: Consulting Skills for Instructional Designers

Old Dominion University · Spring 2025

Graduate

What Students Say

The following reflects themes from student feedback collected across courses. Responses are paraphrased and de-identified to protect student privacy.

"Students who showed up and communicated found that their effort was seen and acknowledged — something that made a real difference in a course that moves at a steady pace."

Learning to Learn · undergraduate student · paraphrased

"The structure of lecture followed by discussion gave space to absorb ideas and then actually practice them — and having the instructor available throughout the project made a complex topic feel manageable."

AI in Education · international cohort · paraphrased

Recurring themes across courses

Accessibility & approachability Students across both courses describe feeling comfortable communicating needs and having those needs met without judgment.
Practical, transferable learning Multiple students note applying course strategies immediately in other classes — a consistent indicator of real learning transfer.
Engagement without overwhelm Students describe courses as interactive and appropriately paced — neither boring nor inaccessibly dense.
Instructor presence & follow-through International students in particular note consistent follow-up communication and availability as defining features of the course experience.