Brief Teaching Philosophy

I see my teaching as an extension of my research; that is, to be an effective instructor, one must view the classroom dynamic as a series of dyadic interactions. Each student brings to the classroom a unique background which informs the way they think and learn. It is my job to recognize these differences in students, and meet them where they are at. For this reason, I do not believe in punitive grading or assessing knowledge solely through traditional forms of assessment.

My goal is to make the classroom a space where students build their confidence and critical thinking skills, feel safe to explore different psychological theories that seem compelling to them, and learn how to interpret statistical models and apply these concepts to their own projects. Importantly, I believe that learning should and can be fun, regardless of whether I am teaching statistics or having an in-depth conversation about what it means to be a good & supportive partner. I was awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching from Columbia University as a 4th year PhD student in 2023. See here for details!