I am an instructor who has been passionate about teaching my entire life. During my undergraduate career, I held many teaching positions including, tutor, supplemental instructor, student worker, and teaching aide. I was a tutor and supplemental instructor for the University of Cincinnati's Learning Assistance Center. I tutored math, chemistry, and biological sciences. As a supplemental instructor, I guided students in college algebra and applied calculus I. Also, I was a student worker and teaching aide for the Human Anatomy and Physiology labs. During my graduate studies, I became a tutor for the Cellular and Molecular Biology course at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine. For the past two academic years, I have served as an adjunct instructor for the Human Anatomy and Physiology labs at the University of Cincinnati's main campus.

It is important to understand how each student processes information and what motivates them to study. I have always sought to comprehend my students' learning styles, their struggles-inside and outside the classroom, and assist them in realizing their potential. I look for patterns in a student's behavior that may be hindering them from being strong learners. I help students develop appropriate study habits and learn how to refine them for independent study.

Also, I find that emotions play a significant role when students do not understand a topic or specific problem. I alleviate fears and frustrations to help students appreciate the subject matter and gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. As an instructor, I provide students more than answers to their questions, I teach respect for the subject.

I can relate to those pursing an education while confronting personal challenges. Teaching has allowed me to mentor students who were facing their own hardships. One instance involved a student who completely disengaged from the Human Anatomy and Physiology course. Eventually, I spoke with her. I learned that she was diagnosed with ADHD but could not receive the care she needed. After sharing my own hardship story, she understood that I cared and related to her. She cried out of appreciation. I worked extensively with her to help her improve her performance and receive a passing grade.

In 2015, my colleague escaped Pakistan. Her life was in jeopardy because she was trying to secretly wed an American man. She found haven as an international student in the graduate program. Early on in the program, I learned that she was underperforming and not meeting the academic standards required to stay enrolled. Her family had vowed retribution, and her return to Pakistan would secure her death.

Overcoming my own hardships to be a successful student had earned me the respect of the graduate program, and I was asked to mentor and tutor her. We worked together to improve her performance and grades. We met once a day to go over material, test her understanding, and get ahead in the courses. Also, I helped her become an independent learner by teaching her how to develop and improve her study habits. She overcame her challenges and realized her potential to be efficacious.

It is these cases and similar instances that inspire me to teach. I enjoy making a difference in the lives of others, so that the student one day can make a difference for someone else. Also, my teaching career has exposed me to students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and educational backgrounds. It is through uniting our differences that allows students and instructors to be challenged and work towards building a better world.