Teaching
At the heart of my pedagogy is the belief that intellectual growth and personal belonging are deeply intertwined. I design my courses to be spaces where students can engage seriously with political systems while also discovering (and believing in) their own capacity to think critically, speak thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully. I combine traditional lecture with dynamic discussion and current events, helping students connect institutional complexity to real-world stakes. I expect deep engagement, but I also recognize that development matters more than polish. What I value most is a student’s willingness to show up, wrestle with hard ideas, and make progress over time. I work to cultivate emergent confidence that comes not from immediate mastery but from consistent effort, honest reflection, and being taken seriously. I provide individualized support to meet students where they are, celebrating growth even when it doesn’t follow a straight line. My goal is that students leave my classroom not only better informed about politics, but also more confident in their ability to participate in, critically evaluate, and reshape the world around them.
Classes Taught
- POLS 256: Introduction to U.S. Politics
- POLS 291: Honors Contemporary U.S. Politics
- POLS 353: Political Parties and Elections
- POLS 354: The U.S. Congress
- POLS ST 302: Saving the World with Data
- POLS 440: Interest Groups & Lobbying
- HGLO 208: Using Data to Answer Hard Questions [UMD]
- GVPT 379C: Pop Culture and Politics [UMD]
- GVPT 379I: Interest Group and External Influence in the 2020 Presidential Election [UMD]
For syllabi and course-specific evaluations, please contact me.I regularly participate in pedagogical training, consultations, and initiatives to promote effective instruction. Some recent activities have included:
- Assisting in the development of a database of resources for faculty at Bryant about teaching before, during, and after the 2024 election with several colleagues and the Center for Teaching Excellence.
- Co-authoring a guide to best practices on political discussion in the classroom.
- Coordinating a speaker series to give students the opportunity to hear and learn from scholars who study underrepresented minorities.
