Teaching Experience

Early in college, I grew interested in observing my professors to see how they approached teaching. Each professor had a different approach, and I found that I enjoyed comparing their methods in terms of how well they were able to enhance my learning and the learning of my peers. Over time, I have used this strategy, along with a handful of teaching workshops and my own trial and error experiences in front of the college classroom, to help myself grow as an educator. I became a teaching assistant when I was only a sophomore in college, starting out by teaching freshmen in a learning strategies course, and working my way up to being a teaching assistant for forest ecology and forest health & protection. During my doctorate, I taught courses in mycology and entomology, and developed and taught a new course, Principles and Practices of Forestry, for wildlife ecology and management majors at A-State. These experiences have been invaluable, and I look forward to continue educating the next generation of natural resources professionals, and maintaining the high education standards of natural resources programs found throughout the United States.   
"If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree. If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people. 
By sowing a seed once, you will harvest once. By planting a tree, you will harvest tenfold. By educating the people, you will harvest one hundredfold." 
​​~ Kuan-tzu, Chinese Philosopher, 420 B.C.

Courses Taught
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Strickland Property; Lake City, AR
​Principles and Practices of Forestry
Fundamental concepts of forestry for wildlife ecology and management majors, including an introduction to ethics, history of forestry, dendrology, forest ecology, forest health, silviculture, mensuration, and forest management.
​*IOR at Arkansas State University in Fall 2018 (syllabus).
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Limestone bluffs at Ha Ha Tonka State Park; Camdenton, MO
Forest Ecology
The principles of community, ecosystem, and population ecology, as well as the effects of environmental and anthropogenic activity on forest ecosystems, namely their composition, structure, and function. Through a supplemental lab course, students learn how to take basic forest measurements, and analyze and interpret data collected in the field. 
*TA at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Fall 2012; IOR - Dr. Rose-Marie Muzika. 
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White pine sawflies (Neodiprion pinetum) defoliating eastern white pine; Chattahoochee National Forest, GA
Forest Health and Protection
Fundamental concepts of forest entomology and pathology. Lectures focus on the ecological principles and management of forest pests and pathogens in the United States, while a supplemental lab section provides students with a closer look at the pests and pathogens discussed in class. 
​*TA at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Spring 2013; IOR - Dr. Rose-Marie Muzika. 
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Jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius) near White Sulphur Springs, WV
Other Courses
Economic Entomology (TA at A-State in Spring 2018; IOR - Dr. Tanja McKay)
Mycology ​(TA at A-State in Fall 2017; IOR - Dr. Martin Huss) 
Learning Strategies for College Students (TA at University of Missouri from August 2009 - December 2012; IOR - Mrs. Laura Hertel)

Pedagogy and Assessment Professional Development

  • Advancing Learning Through Evidence-Based STEM Teaching; CIRTL Network via Boston University on edX; completed with distinction
  • An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching; CIRTL Network via Boston University on edX; completed with distinction
  • Performing Educational Research Using Qualitative Research Methodologies (SoTL Workshop); University of Georgia Center for Teaching and Learning  
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Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network

Mentoring and Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Professional Development