Personal Message
I work with students in classes like "Life on Earth", "Environmental Justice", and "Earthology", as well as committees like "Planet Nova", to explore how the Earth lives and how best to work for justice.
• What brought you to Nova?
A small, personalized, democratically-run, justice-focused learning community committed to the growth and success of all students in which I could work collaboratively with both staff and students -- how could I resist?
• How would you describe your teaching style?
My courses start with big, relevant questions that drive our shared inquiry both within and outside the classroom. I work to center students in their own learning process while de-centering dominant narratives of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and other power inequalities. Students demonstrate their learning through multiple possible pathways, including projects, writing, classroom discussions, and other performance-based assessment. And I try to make sure our learning experience is engaging, meaningful, and compelling -- there's so much for us all to learn and do!
• Why do you teach? And/or what do you hope to influence?
Our world is dominated by unjust systems of power and exploitation that must be confronted, deconstructed, and replaced -- if not, people and communities will continue to face violence and oppression while our society fails to live up to its potential. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to participate in the process of helping to create a more equitable, just, and life-affirming world.
• What’s your favorite thing about Nova?
At Nova, I actually can work with students and adults to change how we teach and learn, and how we can live in this world. We share a commitment to justice that pushes and supports my own work while providing our students with an unparalleled education. We aren't perfect, but we always demand to do better. I love Nova!