My Teaching Philosophy
I teach in an organized and easy to understand manner. I emphasize combinatorial thinking vs. rote memorization, and the application of knowledge to real-world situations. I strive to create an all-inclusive environment where students are not afraid to ask questions. I encourage student engagement and critical thinking through active participation in class discussions and LEAD sessions. I also offer office hours and exam reviews and am always open to questions and discussions outside of class time. In addition, to the classroom instruction, undergraduate students have the opportunity to do research in my group alongside my graduate students through our FYRE and OURE programs, leading to presentations and publications.
Courses Taught
I have developed and taught a variety of lecture courses in organic chemistry both at the undergraduate (Organic Chemistry I&II) and graduate level (Advanced Synthetic and Physical Organic Chemistry), and three different organic chemistry labs (Organic Chemistry I&II Labs and Organic Synthesis and Spectroscopy Lab). I have also taught General Chemistry I lecture as shown below:
CHEM 2219: Organic Chemistry I Lab (SP94, FS94, SP95)
CHEM 2229: Organic Chemistry II Lab (SP94, FS94, SP95)
CHEM 4297: Organic Synthesis and Spectroscopy Lab (SP94, SP95, SP96)
CHEM 2210: Organic Chemistry I (FS95, FS97-01, SP07, SP17-21, FS08-23)
CHEM 2220: Organic Chemistry II (SP09, SP22-23)
CHEM 1310: General Chemistry I (FS04, FS05, FS06)
CHEM 6220: Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry (SP97, SP98, SP99, SP01, SP06, SP08, SP11, SP13, SP15, SP18, SP20, SP22)
CHEM 6240: Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry (SP97, SP98, SP00, SP03, SP05, FS07, SP12, SP14, SP16, SP19)
CHEM 4099: Undergraduate Research (all semesters)
CHEM 6099: Graduate Research (all semesters)
I have consistently received above average departmental and university teaching evaluation scores and 14 teaching awards from Missouri S&T.