Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

I believe teachers must present material in a way that encourages students to assimilate knowledge, develop solutions to global problems, and apply their solutions to solving those problems. I’m always looking for new ways to achieve these objectives, and service learning is the best tool I’ve discovered so far.  Students in my courses learn by solving real problems for community partners.  In the process they apply principles learned in the classroom, learn empathy for their community members, and meet potential employers.  Students in my Human Dimensions of Wildlife course have conducted work for the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and Triangle Area city parks departments addressing problems ranging from conflict over management of feral cat colonies to nature deficit disorder among K-5 children.  Students in my Conservation Biology in the Bahamas study abroad course work with The Bahamas National Trust to help address problems ranging from Lionfish invading their reefs to rampant poaching of endangered species.  Service learning embodies NCSU’s “Think and DO” motto.

Current Courses

Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, FW 411/511

Conservation Biology in the Bahamas, FW 495

Past Courses

Urban Wildlife Management, FW 403, NCSU (2010-current)

Conservation of Natural Resources, FW 221, NCSU (2007-2009)

Systems Modeling and Simulation, FW 852, MSU (2007)

Animal Ecology Lab, WFSC 403, TAMU (2000-2002)