Welcome!

Teaching Philosophy

As a teacher, I provide guidance for helping students discover on their own. When students leave my courses, I hope they take three things with them:

• Curiosity and community. My classes involve student-directed collaborative projects, like the GMU Mycoblitz, where students photograph fungi they find interesting, and we discuss identification and diversity together.
• Scientific literacy and confidence. Students practice becoming better communicators through videos, paintings, sculptures, and infographics. I connect students with volunteer and internship opportunities outside the classroom.
• Empathy for the lives around us. When students learn about biodiversity and human systems, it builds compassion for living things and for each other.

We all have something to teach and something to learn. Read my full teaching philosophy (PDF)

Current: Mushrooms, Molds, and Society (George Mason University, 2020–2026)

Students learn about the diversity of fungi and fungal-like organisms, and the importance of fungi in ecosystems, agriculture, medicine, history, and art. Syllabus

University & College Teaching

• Conservation Biology, Southern New Hampshire University, Fall 2020 (online). Syllabus
• Ecological Principles and Methods, Southern New Hampshire University, 2018 (online). Syllabus
• Natural Resources, Southern New Hampshire University, Fall 2017 & Fall 2019 (online). Syllabus
• Ecology and Field Biology, The College of New Jersey, Fall 2016. Quantitative, writing-intensive, with student research projects. Syllabus
• Fungi and Ecosystems, Rutgers University, Fall 2014. Fungal ecophysiology: decomposition, pathogenicity, plant nutrient acquisition. Syllabus
• Plant Systematics, Rutgers University, 2013 (TA). Collecting and identifying NJ plants from diverse habitats. Syllabus
  Struwe, L., Poster, L.S., Howe, N., Sweeney, P.W., and Zambell, C.B., 2014. The Making of a Student-Driven Online Campus Flora. Plant Science Bulletin, 60(3): 159-169.
• Plant Ecology, Rutgers University, 2012–2013 (TA). Weekly field trips to NJ habitats; students learn 100+ plant species. Syllabus
• General Biology, Rutgers University, 2010–2013 (TA). Lab instruction in biology fundamentals and data analysis.
• Evolution of the Physical World, University of Pennsylvania, 2006 (TA). Big Bang, origin of elements, stars, solar system.

Field & Community Education

• DC Master Naturalists, University of the District of Columbia, Spring 2018. Taught sessions on woody plants, herbaceous plants, urban ecology, and fungi.
• Environmental Studies, NJ-STEP Prison Teaching Initiative, FCI Fort Dix, Fall 2016. Environmental history, risk analysis, natural resource management.
• Woody Plants, NJ-STEP Prison Teaching Initiative, Fall 2014 & Spring 2015. Common trees, shrubs, and vines of New Jersey. Syllabus
• Introductory Chemistry, King's Academy, Jordan, 2007–2008. High school chemistry with lab. Also helped coordinate a German-Jordanian renewable energy program.
• Field Teaching, W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center (University of Rhode Island), 2003. Wetland ecology, forest ecology, wildlife, orienteering, and wilderness skills for 3rd–9th graders.

I'm always looking for new teaching opportunities. Here's my CV, or get in touch.