MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I continuously strive to create an environment where students are able to find a sense of belonging. For me the role of an educator is to inspire and instruct. As the landscape of higher education evolves to meet the needs of current learners the challenge for faculty is to determine the best method for transferring knowledge from one individual to the next. This belief serves as the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy; finding an effective means to transfer knowledge that inspires others to take action and more importantly allows students the opportunity to see their place in society as productive and positive citizens. I believe the most insightful learning occurs when we do not concentrate on the physical act of learning. For example, consider how young children embrace new concepts and facets of life. To them every day is a new adventure full of mystery and exploration. You can look into their eyes and see the intense joy they have experiencing new escapades. They are learning without trying.
Learning is a process of doing and if necessary repeating the process over again until the desired goal or objective is accomplished. I view teaching as an opportunity to motivate students to think critically and to challenge them to contest the perceptions of the world around them. I believe students learn best in an environment that embraces differences and encourages the open expression of individual point of views. Each student brings a unique set of skills and expectations to the classroom. As an educator, it is my goal to enhance the personal experiences of each student in a way that makes learning fun and meaningful. I follow a set of high ethical teaching standards that encourages open dialogue, promotes trust among students, and fosters respect for cultural and intellectual diversity. When I first meet with students I share a piece of my own personal story with them. My objective is to have the students relate to me as an individual that has the same needs and wants as they have. I then encourage students to share their own personal stories. I believe it is imperative for educators to bring their own experiences to the classroom and to create an atmosphere that enables students to take a personal risk by sharing their unique and personal experiences. I believe that there is much to learn from each other when there is open dialogue and mutual trust.
my teaching in action
In OL 211 Human Resource Management students examined the best practices for the effective and efficient management of human resources in today’s organizations. The areas covered include: legal requirements, recruitment and selection, training, development and evaluation, employee and labor relations, and total rewards. This course is designed as a service learning experience. Students worked directly with DreamCatchers NH to better understand discrimination in the workplace. DreamCatchers NH provides opportunities for young people living with a disability to catch their dreams of being part of a community and making friends. This is done by organizing social clubs that foster friendship and engage in the community around members. Students were challenged to create an event to raise awareness for the organization. They created an evening for 100 guests to experience the richness and decadence of chocolate all for a good cause. Local chefs were invited to donate chocolate treats and members of DreamCatchers worked with hospitality students from SNHU to create their own chocolate sculptures that were put on display during the event. The Chocolate Experience was a huge success with students raising more than $3,000 to support DreamCatchers.
OL 308 Innovative Business Approaches is a three credit hybrid course with a one week intensive trip to a city in the United Sates. I created this course as a way to get students out of New Hampshire. The course focused on innovative business approaches related to corporate responsibility strategies (CSR). Students met with six area companies that have developed unique approaches to corporate citizenship and sustainability. Prior to taking the trip students researched the current trends related to CSR and how the companies are responding to these opportunities. Students worked in teams to prepare and present a business analysis with their recommendations for the companies. During their time in the selected city students also volunteered for a service learning community project. In addition, students were also provided readings and assignments to complete prior to the trip. This course is research and writing intensive.
Teaching During COVID
My ability to adapt my teaching to meet students where they are was clearly evident when teaching remotely during COVID. For example, my OL-328 Leadership class that normally would have students dancing in the dance studio in the small gym evolved to have students using Old Navy scarfs and dancing with a door to learn the dances that connected to the leadership theories. Even remotely students felt comfortable to share their cameras and dance. The learning environment that I was able to build was a result of getting to know students individually. Keeping students engaged is always a goal for me. I do this from the beginning with our very first class. The Empty Classroom video is an example of me setting the tone for the start of the semester when we were teaching remotely.