Teaching
The classroom remains the most radical space of possibility in the academy.
- bell hooks
Teaching is a passion of mine. I became involved in environmental studies and water research because of the passion displayed by one of my undergraduate professors during an intro-level geography class. His simple but deep enthusiasm launched me on the journey to achieving my current career as an instructor. I strive to bring that same level of passion into my own classrooms and lessons. I love seeing the spark of interest and connection in students, and so I take on as many teaching opportunities as I can! My experience ranges across a wide diversity of topics, to a variety of different audiences. This page details some of the highlights of my extensive teaching experience, both within academia and also across communities.
Classroom Experience
Current Courses at the University of Colorado Boulder:
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ENVM 5018: Scientific Basis for Environmental Change
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ENVM 6100-010: Communicating for Sustainability & Impact
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ENVM 6100-012: GIS for Sustainability Professionals
Courses taught at the University of Denver:
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant:
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GEOG 1201: Env Systems – Weather & Climate
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GEOG 1202: Env Systems – Hydrology
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GEOG 1203: Env Systems – Landforms
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GEOG 2000: Geographic Statistics
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GEOG 2401: Human Population (GIS-based)
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GEOG 3120: Env Modeling (GIS-based)
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GEOG 3200: Remote Sensing
As a Lead or Co-Instructor:
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GEOG 2701: Special Topics in Geog - Integrated Water Management
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GEOG 3750: Human-Env Interactions – Sustainability in South Florida (travel class)
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GEOG 3750: Health & Env through the Ages in England (travel class)
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GEOG 3880: Geographies of South Africa (travel class)
As part of a class I taught in Fall 2022 about Integrated Water Management, students learned about the process of water collection and treatment. Here you see student groups building their own water filters to mimic the removal of common pollutants in urban waterways.
A central theme of our class on Sustainability in South Florida centered around human-caused changes to environments. Here I am lecturing to our students in the Everglades National Park about the history of this landscape and recent attempts at restoration through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
During an impromptu hike through Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa, we made a pitstop in a landscape shaped by water to discuss the hydrosocial cycle and water security within the South African context.
As part of a class I taught in Fall 2022 about Integrated Water Management, students learned about the process of water collection and treatment. Here you see student groups building their own water filters to mimic the removal of common pollutants in urban waterways.
Mentoring Students
Aurora Water Conservation
As a Water Conservation Specialist, I hired and managed the first ever all-female team of summer irrigation interns. This was a group of four undergraduate ladies who dedicated their summers to conducting irrigation audits and providing water conservation education to Aurora residents and business owners. I lead them through a two-week crash course on irrigation auditing, soil moisture management, customer outreach and use of ArcGIS for property evaluation. I provided team oversight as the interns managed their own irrigation audits. Additionally, I voluntarily extended my responsibilities to include career mentorship, introducing the interns to other departments within The City of Aurora that aligned with their interests and any associated career possibilities.
Center for Community Engagement to Advance Scholarship & Learning (CCESL)
As a Community Engaged Fellow, I officially mentored numerous undergraduates who participated in the Student Scholar program at CCESL. Over the course of two years, I mentored five female undergraduates through concepts and projects of community-engaged scholarship. Specific projects included guiding a student through co-facilitation of a photovoice workshop, and overseeing a team of students in the development of an Esri Storymap. With all mentees, I also led a series of personal development workshops that covered topics like positionality, time management, career planning and personal porfolio building.
