I have been a classroom teacher for most of the last 15 years. My work has ranged from helping students in an urban night school complete enough English credits for a diploma, to guiding graduate students as they came to terms with the relationships between democracy, human rights, and Islam in the Kingdom of Morocco. I cut my teaching teeth against the backdrop of learning disabilities, significant social and economic hardship, substance abuse and apathy. Rising to meet these challenges drove me to invest in offering the most intellectually stimulating, practically relevant, and personally engaging courses that I could, an experience that has shaped the way I teach university students today.
For more on my personal teaching philosophy and approach, and on what my students have thought of it, please see my Teaching Statement here. For additional, unsolicited comments from students and other faculty, see my teaching page on my personal website. The university-level courses I have taught, with linked syllabi, follow here.
Associate Director, Faculty
The Minor in International Development and Conflict Management (MIDCM) is a 16-credit, undergraduate program of instruction for students aspiring to a profession in the fields of international development, humanitarian relief, or conflict resolution. It is offered by the Department of Government and Politics and the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland, College Park.
- Introduction to International Development and Conflict Management: Fall 2012-present
- Capstone in International Development: Fall & Spring 2012-present
With the Office of International Affairs: Global Classroom's innovative, project-based courses bring together UMD students and students from partner universities around the world through digital technologies, providing students with international experiences that are cross-cultural, project-based and virtual.
- International Development and Conflict Management (a blended format pilot course jointly taught with Tel Aviv University): Spring ’14-present
- See my Learning Technologies presentation on the development and implementation of this course: "UMD Global Classroom: How Adobe Connect Brings Together Students from Around the World"
With the Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Fearless Ideas experiential pilot courses provide students with the innovation and entrepreneurship skills and mindset to develop and launch their fearless ideas.
- Innovation and Design for Entrepreneurship and Action in Peace and Development (“IDEAS in Peace andDevelopment”): Spring ’15-present
Instructor
As the Associate Director of the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program, I developed and taught two courses. "PL" is a living-learning program that focuses on the theory and practice of leadership and citizenship in civic and political spheres from the local to the global. Please click on the title of the course for a sample syllabus.
Public Leadership: Fall 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- Developed Curriculum, taught 12 sections in 4 years
- Includes Community-Based Learning project module
- Successfully nominated course for university's "Cultural Competence" designation
- Pending nomination for university's "Scholarship in Practice" designation
Applied Leadership: Spring 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Developed Curriculum, taught 12 sections in 4 years
- Includes Community-Based Learning project module
- Secured 2010 Civic Engagement Stimulus Grant for further development of course
- Successfully nominated course for university's "Cultural Competence" designation
- Pending nomination for university's "Scholarship in Practice" designation
Assistant Director & Teaching Assistant
UMD Education Abroad provides international, academically-based experiences in support of students’ personal, professional and intellectual development.
Culture and Human Rights in Morocco: Winter 2010
Teaching Assistant
The Maryland Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland prepares culturally diverse students for graduate study and professional careers in public policy and international affairs.
International Development: Summer 2008
International Security: Summer 2008
- Faculty Mentor recognition, Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program (2015)
- Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIE) Distinguished Fellow (2014)
- Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Sigma Circle (inducted 2013)
- Faculty Mentor recognition, Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program (2013)
- Undergraduate Education Recognition Award for exemplary teaching and service to the University, graduate student category (2010)
- Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award, given by the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, and the Graduate School (2011 and 2012)
- Most Dedicated to Students Award, student-nominated Faculty and Staff Recognition Award, College Park Scholars program (2011)