BS - North Carolina State University (Environmental Soil Science)
MS - University of Georgia (Agronomy)
My goal in teaching is to inspire thought and create independent learners. I base my teaching strategies on current education research and incorporate case studies, group work and active learning as much as possible in my courses. Most importantly, I strive to make my classroom a safe, nurturing environment where students have fun and are challenged to learn and grow.
I generally teach Botany, Sustainable Vegetable production, Sustainable Fruit Production and Field and Forage Crops in the fall semester and Soils, Organic and Sustainable Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management in the spring, but I love developing and offering new courses in response to student interest such as Grafting and Plant Propagation.
I've been teaching at Alfred State College since August 2010 and have taught agriculture courses as well as some courses in biology and chemistry. Before teaching at Alfred State, I taught introductory biology courses for six years at Cameron University in Lawton, OK.
I offer a civic-engagement-intensive course, Sustainable Vegetable Production, where students work with community members on several projects throughout the semester. Additionally, I try to work in civic engagement into other classes when possible. Some events my students have helped with in the past include: praying mantis adoption event, soil pH clinic and data collection for NASA's SMAP satellite.
I received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching for 2020-2021 due to the support of numerous students, alumni, colleagues and staff who have helped shape my teaching over the years.
I am a huge "Bump the Dump" fan!
In 1988, Allegany County, NY was chosen as a potential finalist site for a radioactive waste dump. Through non-violent civil disobedience, citizens were able to stop the efforts of the siting commission. The events are detailed in the book "Linked Arms" by Thomas Peterson and the documentary "My Name is Allegany County." I have been fortunate enough to meet several people who were directly involved in these efforts and have been working on documenting their stories in an oral history project.