What do you hope students take away from your class?
I hope that students who are in my classes will leave the class thinking more critically about the information that is presented to them. I hope they will ask questions about what the motivation might be for presenting the information the way it is being presented, and that they will think about information carefully, not accepting everything they are told. Now more than ever, we need critical thinkers.
What is your favorite class or lesson to teach?
My favorite class to teach is statistics. Students come into that class worried about it, often having heard it is super hard. They are worried about doing math. I love teaching the class in a way that is approachable, while still covering all of the content using statistics terminology. I feel good about it when at the end of the semester, students leave the class feeling it was not bad at all, some even say they enjoyed it! That is my favorite class to teach.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Teaching allows me to share what I know with others, and to help others understand things they did not believe they would be able to understand. Because I teach statistics, I get to see students transition from being fearful and intimidated to being confident and capable. I love watching others learn and grow, and teaching affords me the opportunity to do that on a regular basis. It’s totally selfish on my part.
Is there a teacher or colleague who especially inspired you?
There were several inspirational teachers along my educational journey who really helped me find my way as a professor. One I will always credit with getting me interested in psychology as a career is Dr. Wanda Ward. Dr. Ward was a professor at the University of Oklahoma when I was an undergraduate. She inspired me to become a social psychologist, and I was very impressed with the way she carried herself in the classroom. To this day, I think she is the smartest person I have ever met.
What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career?
The first time I taught my own class, when I was still a graduate student. I remember thinking that I could not believe they were paying me to do it because I enjoyed it so much I felt I would have done it for free!
What advice would you give to newer and/or veteran psychology teachers?
I would let them know that students feed off of the passion you have for the subject matter. They can also feel it when a faculty member genuinely cares about their future success. When you combine a passion for the subject with caring about the students, you have a great recipe for a successful college professor. Don’t stress about being perfect.
What does it mean to you to receive the STP Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award?
I really am humbled to receive this award. Winning this teaching award has given me the opportunity to share what I have learned about teaching with others, and that feels remarkable. I truly enjoy being in the college classroom, and I hope I am able to inspire others to join this profession.