Teaching
“It seems to me that the poet has only to perceive that which others do not perceive, to look deeper than others look. And the mathematician must do the same thing.”
Teaching and communicating mathematics is an important part of my mathematical identity, and I value the impact that I have as an educator. It is for this reason that I am committed to inclusive and equitable teaching that affirms and empowers students.
My Teaching Statement can be found here (last updated October 2023).
My full Teaching Portfolio (which contains student evaluations, teaching materials, and sample syllabi) is available upon request. Here are some sample teaching materials.
Teaching Philosophy
I strongly believe that EVERYONE is capable of success in mathematics, and I want my students to discover that mathematics can be inspiring, affirming, and even empowering. There are two key principles that drive my teaching philosophy:
In my classes, I use active and inquiry-based learning techniques, and I teach my students how to use questioning as a tool to clarify concepts, to stimulate new ideas, and most importantly, to communicate mathematics.
Moreover, I design my courses with an emphasis on student collaboration, and I strive to create positive and inclusive learning environments where all students feel welcome to ask questions, work with each other, and to voice their ideas.
Courses Taught
UCLA
UT Austin
Other Experience
- From Summer 2017-2021, I have either taught or co-taught Summer Minicourses on homological algebra and/or spectral sequences.
- Each minicourse is a week of lectures and problem sessions designed to teach graduate and advanced undergraduate students tools, methods, or ideas in research-level mathematics.
- I have mentored 9 undergraduate reading projects on various topics in algebra, topology, and homotopy theory through the UT Austin Directed Reading Program (DRP).
TA Experience
- TA for UGS 303: From Numbers to Chaos at UT Austin.
- TA for M 408M: Multivariable Calculus at UT Austin.
- SI leader for M 408K: Differential Calculus at UT Austin.
- TA for the Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics.
- Mathematics Peer Mentor for 152H, 192H, 251H, 291H, and 292H at Rutgers University.
Seminars, Workshops, and Awards
Throughout my career, I have participated in various seminars, workshops, and programs to continue to learn about teaching and education.
Awards
- Liggett Instructor Teaching Award, UCLA Spring 2023
- SSD Appreciation Award (“Clock Award”), UT Austin Spring 2021
- FIC Graduate Student Teaching Award, UT Austin Spring 2020
Seminar Talks
- Reflections on Authentic Assessment (pdf version here). I gave a talk about an authentic assessment I use in my classes for a colloquium at Rice University in January 2024.
- BruinLearn, Campuswire, and Gradescope. I gave a talk about my LMS design for the UCLA Teaching & Learning Center Instructional Design Showcase in November 2022.
- Building Better Teachers (pdf version here). I gave a talk on using role-play in M371E for the 2020 FIC Graduate Teaching Showcase at UT Austin.
- Teaching Inclusively and Equitably Online (pdf version here). I gave this talk at the UT Austin Inequity in STEM Seminar in summer 2020.
- I also adapted this talk for an AMS grad blog post.
Workshops
- Co-Organizer for Project NExT Special Session on “Active Learning Strategies for a Large Class.”, Winter 2024
- CEILS Summer Institute: Foundations of Equitable Course Design, Summer 2022
- CEILS Annual Faculty Workshop on Best Equitable Practices In Teaching, Summer 2021
- New Faculty Teaching Engagement (NFTE) workshop, Summer 2021
- Concentration in Communicating Science, Spring 2019
- Teaching Preparation Certificate, Spring 2018
- Inclusive Classrooms Leadership Certificate, Fall 2017
- Supplemental Instruction Training, Fall 2017
- M 398T: Supervised Teaching in Mathematics, Fall 2015