Teaching Philosophy

My objective as an instructor is to assist students in developing an analytical and integrative way of thinking, which transcends their classroom experience. This objective has shaped my teaching philosophy, which can be summarized as follows:

Learning is a continuing process of analytical thinking where content (while significant) is but a tool to experience this process. An instructor is a facilitator, sharing responsibility with everybody in the classroom for the learning process. A facilitative atmosphere for learning is achieved via mutual caring and understanding where the instructor and the students both learn from one another through a two-way interaction. This sharing of power and authority encourages rapid, deeper learning, stimulating creativity and self-direction. Ability to learn is enhanced by continual self-evaluation, openness to criticism and a commitment to improve.