Teaching Philosophy

My teaching centers active learning, interdisciplinary study, and evidence-based pedagogy. I design courses that help students build transferable skills like data literacy while providing strong support for individuals facing systemic obstacles to higher education. Whether students are participating in mock elections to understand the differences between parliamentary and presidential systems, using V-Dem’s data visualization tools to see if the “Resource Curse” really exists, tracing how intellectual traditions like Confucianism influence contemporary Chinese politics, or running their own regression analyses on topics that interest them, I help them learn by doing.

I aim to create an inclusive learning environment where students feel supported in their intellectual growth while maintaining rigorous academic standards. With regard to course content, my interdisciplinary background in global studies and political philosophy deeply informs my instruction. In my view, it is important that students engage with the world’s variety of intellectual traditions that impact politics. Across almost ten years of teaching in the UC, CSU, and community college systems, I’ve cultivated a pedagogical approach that students consistently describe as intellectually stimulating, rewarding, and approachable.

Instructor of Record

  • Introduction to Comparative Politics – UC Davis
  • American Government and Politics – American River College
  • Mass Media and American Politics, Essentials of Government – Sacramento State University
  • Analytical Writing – UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

Discussion Section Leader

I’ve led hundreds of discussion sections since 2016. Topics have included (but are not limited to):

  • Comparative Politics: comparative political economy, regime types, democratization, electoral systems, comparative institutional design, public policy

  • Political Theory: foundational Western theory, Mesoamerican and indigenous political thought, Chinese political philosophy, African political philosophy

  • American Politics: law and politics, government and the economy

  • International Affairs: civil conflict, analysis of international agreements

Teaching and Learning Communities

At UC Davis, I served as a Teaching Assistant Consultant (TAC), where I:

  • Led workshops on pedagogy including Universal Design for Learning, Supporting Multilingual Students, Simplifying Course Design
  • Advised instructors on inclusive teaching strategies
  • Regularly read and evaluated pedagogy research
  • Authored and co-authored teaching guides
  • Provided teaching consultations to instructors across various disciplines