How did you choose to study physics?

As a child I loved putting things together and taking them apart; I designed new toys from my blocks and Legos. I also enjoyed the logical mathematical language and excelled in math and science classes. When it came time to pick a major in college, I leaned towards math and physics because of good professors and the interesting problems we solved. I also like engineering, which allows me to apply my understanding of math and science to real-world problems. Since math and physics are both about solving problems, my undergraduate degree prepared me well to study engineering in graduate school.

What about teaching energizes you?

I get excited about cool math and physics problems. But I know that not everyone does. My goal is for students to see what is so exciting about these types of problems. Teaching is also continual learning, and I love learning new information. I get energized when students ask deeper questions about math and physics, even if I don’t have the answer. This means I get to learn something new!

How has your background and educational experience shaped you as a teacher?

I strive to be as open as my undergraduate professors were. At the liberal arts school where I received my bachelor’s degree, my professors always had their doors open. I seek to be as welcoming and engaging with my students as these professors were. In graduate school, I attended a large university with some wonderful professors as well. These teachers held me to a high standard, and my understanding of engineering grew deeply during these classes. I seek to create an environment with high standards where students can grow.