Scientific literacy is increasingly important for navigating the complex challenges and opportunities of modern society, and it is critical for preparing the next generation of scientists, policy makers, leaders, and informed citizens. I am passionate about scientific education because I believe that all students should be afforded the knowledge, career skills, and attitudes that scientific literacy provides. As an educator, I aim to create a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive learning environment grounded in evidence-based teaching practices and excitement for discovery. To foster student success, scientific literacy, and career readiness, my goals are for students to obtain new scientific knowledge, to develop data literacy skills, and to gain an appreciation for the value of science. These skills can equip students to solve real-world challenges across disciplines and be leaders in science and society.

 

​As a student at Albion College, I gained my first teaching experience as a teaching assistant in the introductory biology laboratories. During one of our laboratories, I was invited to give a guest lecture on mitosis and meiosis. This experience sparked my interest in and passion for scientific education. Following graduation, I continued to pursue my interest in teaching by working with several non-profit education organizations where I developed and led engaging programs for diverse learners. One of my most rewarding experiences was creating and teaching a two-week Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program for students, many of whom were from underrepresented groups in the sciences. As a graduate student and Postdoctoral Research Associate, I gained additional experience as a teaching assistant, instructor, and research mentor. Recently, I was invited to develop an open educational resource with the National Science Foundation Biologists and Graph Interpretation (BioGraphI) initiative titled “Agents of change: Determining effects of pollution on marine environments through data interpretation.” These experiences taught me the value of connecting scientific concepts to students' lives, interests, and real-world challenges.

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Student research provides an excellent opportunity for integrating and applying learning goals. My own positive experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student instilled in me a strong commitment to student mentoring and research. I am grateful to have mentored ten undergraduate students across three universities, resulting in multiple student research presentations and publications (Leads et al., 2023; Weinstein et al., 2020; Funnell et al., in preparation). As a research mentor, I aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and encouraging learning environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, stimulates rigorous and high-quality research, and prioritizes student well-being. I strive to connect students with the importance of our research, to encourage students to present and publish their work, and to communicate through my words and actions that students' learning and success are important to me. To provide high-quality education for all students, I am strongly committed to furthering my own education in STEM pedagogy, and I have completed courses in evidence-based STEM teaching, research mentor training, inclusive pedagogy, and active learning.