Teaching Philosophy

As an educator and theatre artist, my teaching is grounded in equity, engagement, and creative exploration. Drawing from experiences across traditional and non-traditional learning environments, I aim to foster student autonomy, critical thinking, and personal growth. I believe, as adrienne maree brown writes, “What we pay attention to grows.” This principle guides my practice by centering or paying attention to students' strengths, questions, interests, and identities, and cultivating from a place of care and possibility.

I am committed to co-creating inclusive environments where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, and take creative risks, whether in face-to-face, hybrid, or virtual settings. My pedagogy draws from various interdisciplinary methods, including arts integration, drama-based instruction, object-based learning, black feminist thought, and technology-enhanced approaches. These strategies help me adapt to diverse learning styles while encouraging active participation and collaboration.

What I have learned through these experiences is the importance of designing courses that offer both structure and spaciousness. Clear objectives and intentional scaffolding provide students with a strong foundation, while space for exploration, play, and artistic growth supports meaningful engagement. I see the creative process not just as a path to a product but as a site of transformation where students deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Ultimately, I aim to guide students on their journeys of discovery, helping them build confidence, find their voices, and develop the critical perspectives they need to navigate an ever-changing world. As bell hooks reminds us, “Our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, in recognizing one another’s presence.” This sense of shared presence and mutual care is at the heart of my teaching.

Works Cited

brown, adrienne maree. Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds. AK Press, 2017.

hooks, bell. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. Routledge, 1994.