Instruction
At Metropolitan State University (MN), I teach INFS115- Information Access (2 cr.) and INFS315-Search for Information (4 cr). In addition, I conduct library research workshops for courses taught in my liaison areas (Urban Education, History, Fine Arts and Individualized Studies). My teaching style is to be a guide on the side rather sage on the stage. I value creative hands-on learning and structure my instruction accordingly as demonstrated in the interactive LibWizard tutorials I create for students. I participated in Minnesota State's 2019 Institute for Culturally Responsive Pedagogy where I gained insights on best practices for designing inclusive curriculum and sustaining a diverse, student-centered learning community in the classroom.
From 2014-2018, I taught one-shot library research sessions for COL101 and subject-specific courses. In addition, I taught a one-credit “LIB101- Introduction to College Research” at SUNY-Suffolk County Community College. I also facilitated professional development workshops for faculty on integrating library resources online through Blackboard and/or in the face-to-face classroom.
The following principles guide my culturally responsive pedagogical practice:
1. Sustain a positive, accessible and inclusive learning environment by providing students various opportunities to explore and reflect upon information access issues and research methods through group and individual activities.
2. Foster culturally-aware, critical thinking and problem-solving skills by facilitating meaningful discussions about race/class/gender and information access issues in society.
3. Scaffold instructional materials to assist students of various information and technology literacy proficiency.
4. Design engaging learning activities with technology in both a fun and real-world context.