If nothing else, college taught me the value and characteristics of a truly passionate and competent educator. I studied astrophysics and mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, and was fortunate enough to interact with brilliant people in all of my classes. However, brilliance does not translate directly into teaching ability. I learned that the best teachers were not those who had the most research publications in scientific journals or went to the most prestigious schools, but the ones who derived genuine satisfaction from sharing their passion and knowledge with their students. These teachers are able to adapt to the different learning styles of their students, are humble enough to ask for and act on constructive criticism, and, most importantly, they never quit until the students themselves believe that they understand. In my teaching, I try to emulate these characteristics - adaptability, humility, and tenacity - so that my students and I are both satisfied.
My academic passion lies in physics, astronomy, and math, and these are my favorite subjects to teach. However, from the applications of physics in engineering to its overlap with chemistry, I love to teach anything related to STEM fields. If the subject attempts to explain how the universe works, then I want to teach it. Outside of academics, I love spending time outdoors, skiing, weightlifting, and playing board games with friends.