Drawing on my graduate studies and faculty mentorship at Baylor, I approach teaching sociology as a transformative process that integrates rigorous academic excellence with meaningful human connection. My teaching philosophy centers on creating relationship-rich environments where students experience deeper learning through personal partnerships with both their instructor and peers. I view each course as an opportunity to help students discover not just sociological concepts, but a deeper understanding of their purpose and place in the world—much like a spiritual or cultural exploration that reveals new dimensions of meaning and possibility.

I implement this relationship-centered approach by combining compassionate mentorship with rigorous academic standards. My classroom becomes a space where students are challenged to reach their intellectual potential while receiving the individualized support they need to succeed. Like physical development that comes from exercising a muscle, I design learning experiences that stretch students both intellectually and personally, adapting my methods to meet their unique learning needs and goals. This approach ensures that academic growth occurs alongside personal development, preparing students not just to understand sociology as a science but to embody the critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills necessary for meaningful leadership.

Central to my teaching philosophy is the conviction that sociology serves not only as an academic discipline but also as a tool for character formation and ethical community engagement. Through intentional relationship-building and personalized mentorship, I help students understand how sociological knowledge empowers them to navigate complex social realities while fostering meaningful and ethical relationships within their communities and beyond. My goal is to graduate students who possess both the intellectual rigor to analyze social phenomena and the personal integrity to contribute positively to an interconnected world, making sociology a vehicle for both academic excellence and moral development.