Teaching

Teaching Philosophy
My teaching outlook begins with the philosophy that each student is a knowledge producer. I believe that education needs to be an exchange and a shared responsibility between students and the instructor(s). Students excel when they feel valued, when they receive engaged feedback on their contributions, and they understand clearly the high standards they are able to achieve. I have identified four major goals towards each course I teach: cultural competency, critical thinking skills, oral and writing skills, and media literacy as a tool for social awareness. I feel that these are all skillsets that are invaluable in the 21st century; but most importantly, they are combinable skills with many of the creative lenses that students bring to the classroom. By using mixed methods and maintaining an interdisciplinary approach, I communicate to each student that they are crucial to the learning success inside and outside of the classroom.

COURSES TAUGHT

  • American Studies 184 “American Pop Culture” (Online, Spring 2016)
  • American Studies 186 “Introduction to Southwest Studies” (Fall 2016, Spring 2016)
  • American Studies 350 “Immigrant Youth Movements” (Fall 2017)
  • Chicana and Chicano Studies “Chicana/o Latina/o Civil Rights Movement” (Spring 2016, Spring 2017)
  • Chicana and Chicano Studies “Immigration and Assimilation” (Fall 2016, Fall 2017)

AWARDS

  • Teaching Assistant Award by the Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC) (2016-2017)

FORMER STUDENTS & MENTEES

  • Ana Oaxaca, PhD Student in Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (2016-Present).
  • Marlin Arriaga, MA Student in Psychology at the University of New Mexico, (2016-Present).
  • Sonia Ibarra, MA Student in American Studies at the California State University, Fullerton (2017-Present).
  • Shreya Bhaskare, National Park Service Historic Preservation Internship at Yellowstone National Park (Summer 2017).
  • Patricia Grajeda, Correr Tras El Viento. Independent Publishing, 2017.
  • Janice Deveraux, “Joto and La Gurl.” Podcast, iTunes, 2017.