Teaching Philosophy

As a scholar researching transnational discourses in the Francophone world, I advocate for instruction that is diverse culturally, linguistically, and ideologically. I owe this to my appreciation of constructivism as developed by Ernst von Glaserfeld, which encourages collaboration, open dialogue, and the active production of knowledge. Following and adapting this model, I engage in a student-centered approach that takes the students’ interests into account—providing them with opportunities to actively contribute to the course. Whether I am teaching a lesson on grammar, culture, or literature, I believe that clarity is by far the most important aspect of the learning process for all students–something I emphasize with my own students. I find that students respond well to learning about the nuances and intricacies of the target language as it is studied within cultural contexts—something that is exceptionally important in the language acquisition process.

COURSES TAUGHT

University of Missouri

Queering the Mediterranean: Culture, Sex & the Nation – Spring 2025

University of Pittsburgh

French 0101 [Beginner French I] – Fall 2018, Spring 2019

French 0102 [Beginner French II] – Summer 2021

French 0103 [Intermediate French I]– Fall 2020, Spring 2022

French 0104 [ Intermediate French II: French in a Global Context] – Spring 2021

French 0012 [French Kiss: Love, Sex, France] – Summer 2022

Université Paris X Nanterre

Introduction to Sociology – Fall 2019, Spring 2020

Introduction to Anthropology – Fall 2019

World Geography and History – Fall 2019, Spring 2020

Advanced English Conversation – Fall 2019

Oral Comprehension – Fall 2019, Spring 2020