“You cannot teach if you don’t learn from those you are teaching.”

-Schechner and Chatterjee, 1998

Courses Taught

Undergraduate

Gender Relations

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women’s Studies

Introduction to African American Studies

Introduction to Sociology

Sociology of Family, Sex, and Gender

Social Inequality

Sociology of U.S. Cultural Diversity

Graduate

Critical Girlhood Studies

Pedagogy

As a sociologist and assistant professor in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, I view my pedagogy as an integral part of my Black feminist praxis. I hold the philosophy that teaching should have practical application and foster critical thinking as a means of preparing students to function effectively once they leave the classroom. In order to achieve these pedagogical goals, I am committed to utilizing teaching methods that are student centered, emphasize active student participation and dialogue, and focus on helping students to understand and value each other’s experiences and perspectives in ways that are interesting and engaging. In this vein, I have adopted an open approach with my students, and I allow for flexibility in how my courses are conducted as long as we, at the very least achieve the goals and objectives as specified in the syllabi.

I introduce interdisciplinary courses and utilize a curriculum that combines standard teaching seminars with interactive methods such as intergroup dialogue techniques, praxis projects, and that are technology oriented. These methods are utilized to teach, interrogate, and address topics such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, other intersecting identities, and inclusion and diversity to help students not only better understand the lived experiences of others, but to help them reflect on their own lived experiences. My goal is to challenge students’ perspectives and privileges in ways that creates and encourages space for critical thinking to allow them to want to be a better student, friend, ally, and person. Reflexivity in education can create a deeper understanding of ourselves, an awareness of how we can help advocate for change, and further cultivate a teaching environment that is innovative, accepting, student focused, and reaches out across disciplines, and the wider local and global community.