Faculty

As a professor of literature, I strive to create a discussion oriented environment in which students contribute largely to the analysis of literary and cultural texts.  While emphasizing the importance of close reading, critical thinking, and attention to the sociohistorical environment surrounding a particular text, my teaching style reinforces student participation and results in students becoming attentive and responsible readers.  I encourage an interdisciplinary approach to literature which allows students to grasp a text from a variety of perspectives.

My objective as a language instructor is to transform the classroom into a Spanish language community in which students feel safe to use their knowledge in spontaneous settings.  By developing interactive exercises that invite and demand students to be creative, their abilities and output go beyond merely satisfying the immediate classroom task.  Not only do such exercises challenge students to use their language skills resourcefully, but they also show students that language is dynamic and there are many ways to successfully communicate.  Although linguistic accuracy is important, I emphasize linguistic fluency so students will be equipped for unrehearsed linguistic performance when they leave the classroom, thus setting the stage for lifelong language-learning

My students often remark that my lessons are innovative and fun, while also challenging. I strive to create a comfortable and interactive space for learning while emphasizing important cultural and historical events of the Spanish speaking world.  Through music, art, literature, and the media, our classroom discussions often introduce fresh perspectives on global issues and inspire students to further investigate topics on their own accord.