I have 25 years of experience teaching chemistry, mostly introductory college-level courses. I earned a BS degree in chemistry from the University of Rochester and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University.
When I tell people that I teach chemistry, I often hear horror stories about how failing a chemistry course dashed dreams of careers in engineering or medicine. Chemistry should be accessible to all students. My goal is to give students a foundation to support further study in chemistry or other disciplines. It is also important to provide students with skills to become more responsible, more independent learners.
There are several principles that guide my teaching:
1. Meet students where they are and challenge them to grow.
2. Teaching is not automatically learning. Ongoing assessment is critical.
3. Good teaching requires reflection, feedback, and a willingness to make changes.
4. Plans are good, but do not let them become ruts. Seize the "teachable" moments.
5. Treat students with respect and kindness.
I enjoy helping students succeed in introductory chemistry courses. I can guide them through the common pitfalls and misconceptions that limit learning chemistry.