1. “If you can’t explain how something works, then how can you claim to understand it?”
This has been a statement that I have lived by through out my academic career.
As an educator, I try to place emphasis on the why behind an idea instead of just the
outcome. If one can understand the why behind a problem along with asking the correct
question, the outcome will show it self. I incorporate these ideas in the class room by
encouraging open discussion, group work and essay questions. I want to ensure that
my students are not regurgitating information, and my exams are not testing their
memorization skills, but instead ensuring a concrete understanding of the theories. My
next goal in the class room is to show practicality and usefulness of the theories being
taught. I try to make the text book come alive, and show how these ideas transcend into
real life situations. I do this by integrating what is being taught in the lab and using real
life examples from various careers; I want my students to see science in everything.
Gaining Experience as a TA in my graduate work, has given me the necessary skills to
understand how important it is to be relatable to the students, and to encourage and
promote critical thinking with in the students. I think it is also important to establish a
relationship that is interchangeable with the students, meaning my role as the educator
should and can be reversed. I want my students to take the role as the educator and I
become the student. This ensures understanding of the material and confidence with in
the student. I will employ this technique by having presentations on topics discussed in
the curriculum.

2. Finally I hope that my teaching style and enthusiasm to get students to think freely and
form their own ideas is received with open minds and positivity. As I progress in life and
continue in my academic career, I have realized that learning is a passion of mine and
educating is my calling and inspiring others is a sweet award that is satisfying and
fulfilling.