1. By implementing active learning strategies in the classroom, my students retain more knowledge, make stronger connections to pre-existing knowledge, share diverse personal experiences with one another, and gain valuable group/team skills for their future careers.
2. By practicing scientific process skills in undergraduate biology courses, my students are better able to evaluate the credibility of data that underlie scientific claims, to generate models and predictions, to test hypotheses, and to solve more complex biological problems.
3. By conducting independent research projects, my students gain essential statistical, quantitative, critical thinking, and experimental design skills. I am dedicated to supporting scaffolded research opportunities for students (see Mentoring section).
I endeavor to always be growing as a teacher and mentor. I am excited to work as a teaching professor and collaborate with other faculty for long-term curriculum improvement and pedagogical innovation in the field of biology.
Teaching Experience
Rowan University
Introduction to Evolution and Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 01104) >>> Lecturer, Lab Instructor (fall 2019, spring 2020, fall 2020)
Introduction to Genetics (BIOL 01106) >>> Online Instructor (spring 2021)
"I thoroughly enjoyed having Sara as our lab instructor! She teaches with such ease that I would love to have her as a colleague in the classroom, and if she chooses to teach at the high school level, I would want my kids to have her as a teacher." --- high school teacher, Master's in Biology student, Evolution (Bio 525), Washington University
"She did a good job engaging the class and everyone seemed to enjoy her lessons and participated. She was clearly interested and knowledgeable about the topics she taught about. She is friendly and good at speaking to large groups." --- undergraduate student, Introduction to Environmental Biology (Bio 2950), Washington University
I thought Sara did a great job on her lectures––she was clear and engaging, and her lectures were interesting. I also attended the graduate review sessions, and she was really good at answering questions and explaining concepts in clear ways. --- undergraduate student, Introduction to Environmental Biology (Bio 2950), Washington University
"Sara knows a ton! Good at explaining things. Answers all questions. Very well prepared. Very organized. Discussions are good for learning real life examples of evolution." --- undergraduate student, Evolution (Bio 3501), Washington University
"Sara was available outside of class, and she was always concerned for her students. She made the discussions fun and encouraged the students to contribute to the discussion. Even when she could not answer a question during the discussion, she would follow up with an e-mail to answer the question. Great TA." --- undergraduate student, Evolution (Bio 3501), Washington University
Rowan University · Department of Biological Sciences · 201 Mullica Hill Road · Glassboro, NJ 08028