The complex problems that arise as society grapples with managing resources in times of rapid change, demand critical thinking and solution-oriented approaches. In my teaching I employ practices that connect concepts and theories with real world examples. I bring diverse work experiences from applied projects into case studies in the classroom and aim to challenge students to be engaged citizens and positively contribute to sustainable futures.
One of the principal challenges of teaching is that the problems humanity faces are from an interdependent reality, while students are trained to think independently. I believe in designing pedagogy in ways that train and empower students’ independence toward realizing common goals. For example, by introducing students to interdisciplinary thinking and active-collaborative work through hands-on projects, and through relationship building via partnerships with practitioners, students engage what they learn in the classroom to real-world case studies and problem contexts.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
| Lecturer Wageningen University and Research | -Environment and Development (graduate course) -Ocean and Coastal Governance (graduate course) |
| Examiner Wageningen University and Research | -International Study Visits, Environmental Sciences (Bachelor’s course) |
| Thesis and Internship Supervisor Wageningen University and Research | Supervisor for Master’s and Bachelor’s students |
| Course project supervisor Wageningen University & Research | -Principles of Environmental Sciences (graduate course) -Environmental Project Studies (Bachelor’s course) |
| Tutor Wageningen University & Research | Sociology & Tourism (Bachelor’s course) |
| Teaching Assistant University of Alaska Fairbanks | Political Economy of the United States (Bachelor’s course) |
PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING:
| Foundations of Education | MA program education course University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2008 |
| Exceptional Learners: Individual and Cultural Characteristics | MA program education course University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2008 |
| Native Ways of Knowing Course by Dr. Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley | MA program education course University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007. |
Berill Blair Ph.D. 