Teaching Philosophy:
During more than 20 years at Middlebury, I have taught 13 different courses, ranging from large introductory classes to senior seminars. My pedagogy centers on experiential learning and active inquiry. At all levels, from introductory to advanced, I strive to incorporate realistic opportunities in my classes for students to learn by doing. I provide these opportunities through field experiences and analytical exercises that accurately simulate how earth scientists investigate and interpret Earth history. It is always important to me that my students not only understand the details of a new topic, but also grasp why it is important, how it is relevant, and how it connects to other topics in science and society. I also endeavor to clearly convey the dynamism of modern science and the tireless application of the scientific method. Accordingly, I never use a textbook in my courses, electing rather to assign readings from the current literature to illuminate points of discussion, controversy, and discovery. Students find my classes invigorating, challenging, and rewarding, and I was honored to be the first recipient of Middlebury’s college-wide excellence in teaching award in 2013.
Courses Taught:
- Arctic and Alpine Environments (incl. lab) (GEOL/GEOG 250)
- Geomorphology (incl. lab) (GEOL/GEOG 251)
- Past, Present, and Future of the Mountain Critical Zone (GEOL/GEOL 350)
- Quaternary Geology (incl. lab) (GEOL/GEOG 352)
- Glacial Geology (inc. lab) (GEOL 333)
- Environmental Geology (incl. lab) (GEOL 112)
- Paleolimnology (GEOL 1033)
- Geologic Evolution of the Hawaiian Islands (J-term, 2003)
- Caves & Karst, co-taught with Dr. Gabriella Koltai (J-term, 2020, 2022)
- Geology Senior Seminar (GEOL 400)
- Senior Geology Research (GEOL 700)
- 19th Century Exploration of the American West (FYSE 1070)
- Mountains of the Northeast (FYSE 1306)