I have experienced education as a student, teaching assistant, and lecturer in multiple universities and countries. Inspired by my teachers and working first-hand with some of them as a teaching assistant, I have discovered the following principles that guide my approach to teaching. First, an instructor should always think from the student's perspective to devise the best way toexplain a seemingly-complicated concept, e.g., by reducing it to its subproblems, and by clearly illustrating the connections to previously taught concepts. Peeling away the apparent complexity to reveal the core concept will help the student to successfully retain, recollect, reapply, and expand upon the idea, which is in fact the true purpose of learning. Second, collecting and incorporating feedback is critical. Engaging students early on and periodically via surveys and quizzes helps gauge their progress and understanding of the material. Office hours are a useful opportunity to individually workwith students from unique and diverse backgrounds.

reading philosophy