Teaching Interests

 

My teaching interests lie in the areas of astronomy, astrophysics, and physics. While I have most enjoyed teaching students at the intermediate undergraduate level I have had many enjoyable teaching experiences. These include astronomy labs at the University of Maryland that involved observational work, classroom teaching and assigning grades. I participated in the "Open House" nights hosted by the Astronomy Department at the observatory for the general public. In addition, I participated in a program where elementary school classes would visit the observatory to learn about astronomy. 

 

Most recently during my postdoc at the University of Alabama I participated in the REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program. I mentored a student each summer that I was there. This involved introducing and explaining the research problem, working with them to develop a research plan, supervising their work and helping them with the final oral presentation.

 

I also have experience teaching physics labs both for majors and non-majors and the University of Florida and as an undergraduate of the University of Alabama. In each of the classes that I have taught I have tried to incorporate some of the latest results from the field to enhance the course. I believe that teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels is an important component of fostering their interest in the sciences and communicating the excitement of research.