Teaching Portfolio

Representative Course Syllabi, including Assignments, Examinations, and Supplementary Reading
My comprehensive syllabi include course descriptions, specific academic requirements and expectations regarding course organization, examinations, and papers, as well as a precise outline of how final grades will be awarded. I also identify required and recommended readings, and present a detailed weekly breakdown of topics and readings (see Appendix A).
It is my belief that a comprehensive syllabus is a fundamental teaching tool. For students, it provides essential information and expectations about the course. For the teacher, it is a formal vehicle that conveys a blueprint for the course and expectations for student learning and academic performance. For the academic department, comprehensive syllabi collectively describe the department’s curriculum, its scope and focus, and its academic rigor and standards.
Advising
I announce to students in every class that my door is “always open.” In addition to maintaining regular office hours, I meet daily with students. My goal is to equip them with tools to find answers for themselves rather than to rely on my suggested solutions.

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  In terms of instructor availability (CIRI Student Evaluation, fall 1991–spring 1996), my mean student rating for the question on availability on a scale from 1 (hopelessly inadequate) to 7 (unusually effective) is 6.55 (1-7 scale, N=357).
  
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  In the new evaluation (Student Response to Instruction, fall 1997–spring 1998), question 6 relates to availability: The instructor showed a personal interest in helping. My mean student rating from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always), is 4.95 (1-5 scale, N=210).
  

I currently serve as the primary academic advisor to 22 undergraduates and 21 graduate students. Although my responsibilities are at the undergraduate level, I have served on master’s and doctoral committees in the School of Education, doctoral committees in the Psychology Department (Clinical Psychology Program), and recently on a Master’s Thesis Committee in the School of Nursing. I have also chaired many undergraduate honors thesis committees.