"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us." – Joseph Campbell 

What I admire about Campbell's quote is this necessity to have organization and spontaniety in life. I like to have a plan, but I also like to watch the plan take a life of its own.

I am originally from Denver, Colorado and still transforming from a mountain girl to a beach girl. I earned my B.A. at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO in Journalism (news editorial emphasis) and Communication Studies. I loved Communication so much that I continued on and earned my M.A. in Communication Studies at the same university. While earning my Master's I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years. I taught Basics of Public Speaking during the day and learned the intricate details pertaining the science of human communication by night.

My work experience varies from newspapers, public relations, consulting and teaching. I have also studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and asprire to see more of the world as soon as I can.

My teaching philosophy is as follows:

I believe learning is best achieved through a hands-on experience.

• It is important for me as a teacher to provide a learning environment that focuses on the experiences, interests and abilities of students. Although book learning serves as an introduction and guideline for learning, a hands-on experience is a way for students to apply their book knowledge through social interactions. It also helps students formulate meaningful questions and devise strategies to answer these questions as critical thinkers. I like to build immediacy in my classrooms, which means I like to create a lot of interaction. You learn more about yourself and the world around you when you work with others. The interest level and excitment in a class is somewhat reliant on how much effort the students  can match with that of the instructor's. I will bring my all everyday and I expect the same from you.

I believe learning is a journey to self-discovery.

• It is important for me as a teacher to make the material meaningful and relevant to the students’ lives. Developing a curriculum around student interests helps motivate students and instill a passion for learning. For instance, allowing students to choose topics they are interested in for their speeches and writing assignments will not only help them learn more about that topic, but learn how to communicate that information either in a dyad or while giving a speech to their classmates. I believe each student has a different background and interprets information based on their unique individual experiences. I plan on creating a democratic classroom that allows students to respectfully bounce ideas off each other to reveal who they are as an individual. It is important for students to appreciate themselves as unique individuals. I want to be the compass that helps students define their essence by exposing them to various paths they may choose in life. I believe this journey to self-discovery will encourage students to learn.

I believe teachers lead others to lead themselves.

• It is important for me as at teacher to help students understand the material in order for them to use it as a resource in the future. A hands-on experience leads to self-discovery which leads to students going out into the real world with the essential tools in their toolbox. It is my job as a teacher to make sure they have all those tools.
  The purpose of education is to gain insight of the world around us so we can work together and make healthy decisions that benefit ourselves, our family, and our neighbors. I believe that the more an individual learns – while maintaining an open mind – the more an individual can contribute to their family, community, nation, and maybe even the world. I have always loved sharing my knowledge with others and helping those who struggle to understand the material by applying it to something they already know. Learning is a shared experience.