Teaching in a 'Post-Truth' World

College and University Teaching Experience

University Supervisor, 2022—2024 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 498/695: Supervised Teaching of English

• Throughout each semester beginning Spring 2022, I supervised four to eight student teachers (33 total) in various middle and high schools across Indiana (and occasionally Illinois). I conducted in-person and virtual observations of lessons, collected and read weekly reflections, provided in-person and written feedback on lesson plans and reflections, helped student teachers problem solve and troubleshoot conflicts with cooperating teachers, students, and parents; and evaluated student teachers using the CPAST form.

Teaching Assistant, Spring 2024 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 434: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools

• This undergraduate teaching methods course explores the teaching of literacy in middle and high schools, with a focus on reading and writing instruction. I assisted the instructor of record, who was new to the course and to teacher education, in revising a previous syllabus, setting up online modules, and selecting key texts. I co-led class discussions with the instructor and shared grading responsibilities equally.

Instructor of Record, Fall 2023 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 422: The Teaching of English in Secondary Schools

• This capstone English teaching methods course consists of three interrelated strands: unit design, critical theory, and field experience—with intersectionality as the main conceptual lens. As the instructor of record, I updated the course to integrate Muhammad’s (2023) framework for Historically Responsive Education, as well as new materials and discussions about the affordances and limitations of generative AI in the English classroom.

Co-Instructor, Spring 2023 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | ENGL 492: Literature in the Secondary Schools

• This undergraduate teaching methods course explores the implications of research and theory on teaching literature in middle and high school. I led the effort to revamp the course to better align it with the 2021 NCTE Standards for the Initial Preparation of Teachers of ELA, successfully recommending a new core text focused on antiracist teaching and developing several new assessments and rubrics, including a key microteaching assessment. I also planned a major instructional segment each week and shared grading responsibilities equally with the instructor of record.

Co-Instructor, Fall 2022 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 381: Teaching for Social Justice

• This undergraduate teaching methods course builds on an earlier multicultural education course with specific attention to issues of social justice related to English education. I offered input on the syllabus and text selection, planned and led instruction on an alternating basis with the instructor of record, and shared grading responsibilities with her.

Teaching Assistant, Spring 2022 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 434: Literacy Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools

• This undergraduate teaching methods course explores the teaching of literacy in middle and high schools, with a focus on reading and writing instruction. I co-led class discussions with the instructor of record and led the course independently while he was on a six-week family leave. During that period, I created and taught a two-week module focusing on critical media literacy and the problem of disinformation, in addition to selecting readings and planning lessons on other literacy topics.

Co-Instructor, Fall 2021 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 422/590: The Teaching of English in Secondary Schools

• This capstone English teaching methods course consists of three interrelated strands: unit design, critical theory, and field experience. I co-led class discussions and evenly shared grading responsibilities with the instructor of record, my PhD adviser; assessed teaching videos and reflections from the field experience; and created a NCTE/CAEP-aligned rubric for the final project, a unit plan.

Instructor of Record, Spring 2020 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN | EDCI 498/695: Supervised Teaching of English

• This seminar consists of readings, discussions, and workshops designed to complement the student teaching experience. I planned and led weekly discussions of readings, oversaw students’ action research projects, and prepared and led monthly workshops focused on the stages of action research.

Faculty Adviser to Student Media, 2006—2021 | Minneapolis College, Minneapolis, MN                  

• As a part-time faculty adviser to the print and online student publication at the most diverse community college in Minnesota, I facilitated the transformation of a defunct student news organization into a multiple-award winning newspaper; developed and implemented a six-week Reporter Training Program and trained up to eight new students each semester; arranged multiple training opportunities for students including “boot camps,” guest speakers, conventions and workshops; and managed an annual budget of $5,000 to $10,000.

Secondary Teaching Experience

English Language Arts and Journalism Instructor, 2008—2021 | Harding High School, Saint Paul, MN | Courses taught: IB DP Literature and Performance, English 9 and 10, Advanced Journalism                

• During my tenure with St. Paul Public Schools, I taught students in grades 9-12 from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds at one of the most diverse high schools in Minnesota, hosted several student teachers, advanced to semifinalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, developed and taught a new course, led a Professional Learning Community, achieved National Board Certification, initiated and facilitated in inquiry group for 14 colleagues who wished to pursue National Board Certification, and was named Harding’s Teacher of the Year.

English Language Arts Instructor, 2003—2008 | PYC Alternative School, Minneapolis, MN | Courses taught: English 9-10, English 11-12, Journalism                

Other Professional Experience

Substitute Teacher, 2023—2024 | Tippecanoe School Corporation, Lafayette, IN, and Attica Consolidated School Corporation, Attica, IN

Data Collector, Total Solar Eclipse Evaluation Support, 2024 | NASA HEAT Evaluation Team, STEM Research Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

• I collected data via surveys and interviews from attendees at NASA Sponsored Eclipse events. The data were used to better understand how NASA engaged the public during the April 8th 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.

Graduate Assistant, English Language Teaching at Secondary Level, Phase I/II, 2023 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, and American University of the Middle East, Kuwait

• Our team of three developed a research-informed plan of study, including course syllabi, for a new English education program at American University of the Middle East.

Graduate Assistant, External Review Self Study, 2023 | Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Graduate Assistant, Critical Literacy Curriculum Development, 2022 | Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Instructional Designer, The Big Read, 2023 | English Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Examiner, 2020 | International Baccalaureate, Geneva, Switzerland

National Board Fellow, 2019—2020 | National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Arlington, VA

• As one of five National Board Fellows, I worked with our team to support the staff of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards on various initiatives and developed a “passion project” that included hosting a training workshop for professional learning facilitators (PLFs) and producing an e-book for teachers interested in becoming PLFs.                     

TOEFL Preparation Instructor, 2005—2006 | Hospitality Center for Chinese, St. Paul, MN

After-School Tutor, 2005 | Catapult Learning, Minneapolis, MN

Program Staff, 2002—2003 | Minnesota Teen Challenge, Minneapolis, MN                 

Freelance Book Editor, 2002—2003 | Minneapolis, MN

Journalist, 2000—2001 | The Tribune and The Record, Detroit Lakes, MN | The Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN