In order to be successful in the classroom, I have found it imperative to win the confidence and respect of my students. This foundation of trust is not constructed upon the smile that I bring to class each week, but rather the knowledge of chemistry that I carry with it. To effectively communicate this knowledge to my students, it is important not to just understand the material but to have mastered it. This task can only be accomplished with proper preparation. However, preparation is much more than knowing the answers to the assigned homework problems. Each week, I ask my students to e-mail me questions and topics that they would like to have covered in the following recitation section. I do not believe that it is my job to re-lecture the material to my students, but rather coach them through problems they are struggling with. This allows me to focus on the material that is causing the most difficultly and make the most productive use of our time.

Once gaining the respect of my students in the classroom, I believe it is important to carry a dedication towards their success outside the assigned meeting times. Instead of scheduling specific times to hold office hours each week, I ask that my students to e-mail me when they are running into difficulty and need help. Together we hold an individual session in which all of the student’s questions or concerns can be adequately addressed. This approach also allows me to learn the names of each of my students and outline a strategy for them to conquer the material. Conducting 1-2 hour review sessions before exams is an additional service that I offer my students to provide them maximum confidence before evaluation.

It is my hope that my teaching philosophy has had a positive impact on a large majority of my students.