My teaching is grounded in the belief that students learn best when they are invited to think critically, make meaningful connections, and see themselves as active participants in the learning process. Across history and the social sciences, I emphasize inquiry, evidence, discussion, and the development of skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Teaching Areas
- Psychology and AP Psychology
- Sociology
- World History and AP World History
- Cultural and Intellectual History
- Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
- Online and Digital Learning
Teaching Philosophy
I approach teaching as an invitation to inquiry. Rather than asking students simply to memorize information, I encourage them to ask why ideas develop, how evidence supports an argument, and how different perspectives shape the ways we understand human behavior, society, and the past.
My classroom emphasizes intellectual curiosity, evidence-based reasoning, discussion, and meaningful connections between course content and students’ lives. I aim to create an environment that is both academically challenging and accessible—one in which students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, revise their thinking, and develop confidence in their own ability to analyze complex questions.
Courses & Teaching Experience
Psychology & AP Psychology
Instruction in introductory and Advanced Placement psychology, emphasizing psychological science, research methods, biological and cognitive processes, development, social psychology, and the application of psychological concepts to human behavior. Course design emphasizes evidence-based reasoning, analysis, and written argumentation.
AP Seminar
Instruction in interdisciplinary research, argumentation, and academic communication, with emphasis on evaluating sources, analyzing multiple perspectives, synthesizing evidence, developing evidence-based arguments, and presenting research findings in written and oral formats.
Sociology
Introductory sociology examining the relationship between individuals and society through culture, socialization, institutions, inequality, group behavior, and social change. Students apply sociological concepts and perspectives to contemporary issues and their own social environments.
World History & AP World History
Instruction in world history at both introductory and Advanced Placement levels, with emphasis on historical thinking, primary and secondary source analysis, comparison, causation, continuity and change, and evidence-based historical argumentation.
Additional Academic Leadership
College Board AP Seminar Table Leader
Serves as a Table Leader for the College Board’s AP Seminar scoring process, supporting AP Readers in the consistent application of scoring standards and rubrics. Provides guidance during scoring and calibration while contributing to the reliable evaluation of students’ research, evidence-based argumentation, and academic writing.
Academic Decathlon Coach
Coach and mentor for Academic Decathlon, supporting students in interdisciplinary academic competition across literature, science, mathematics, social science, economics, art, music, speech, interview, and essay. Emphasis on collaborative learning, academic preparation, and student confidence across a wide range of ability levels.
Psi Alpha Leadership
Faculty advisor for Psi Alpha, the national honor society in psychology for high school students, and Southwest Regional Vice President. Supports student engagement with psychology, academic achievement, leadership, and opportunities to participate in the broader psychology community.
Curriculum & Instructional Design
Develops inquiry-based curriculum and assessments across psychology, sociology, and history, with particular emphasis on evidence-based writing, source analysis, research skills, and the application of disciplinary concepts to meaningful questions.
Digital & Online Education
Extensive experience in online education and digital course design, including the development of asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences, digital assessment, student engagement strategies, and accessible instructional materials.
Teaching Materials & Course Design
My course design emphasizes inquiry, disciplinary thinking, and authentic application. I develop learning experiences that ask students to analyze evidence, construct arguments, conduct research, and apply disciplinary concepts to meaningful questions.
Inquiry & Evidence-Based Writing
Course design centered on research, source evaluation, evidence-based argumentation, and disciplinary writing across history and the social sciences.
Project-Based & Applied Learning
Projects and assessments that invite students to apply disciplinary concepts to authentic questions, contemporary issues, and interdisciplinary problems.
Digital Course Design
Learning experiences designed for both traditional and online environments, incorporating digital resources, interactive activities, discussion, assessment, and accessible instructional design.
