I work to gain their respect by interacting with them as individuals and sharing information about my own experiences. I strive to cultivate in them a respect for the material by presenting it in ways they can understand and appreciate, by making it relevant to their lives, and by providing a context for their learning. Because students learn in different ways, and because all students learn best when they are engaged by a subject, I use a variety of methods to present subject material. I believe it is very important not only to present material in an organized fashion, but also to present it in a way that will interest students. Thus, if I am lecturing about population dynamics, for example, I will introduce the mathematical models, but follow them with examples of human population growth, and practice problems from the real world.
Students progress more rapidly if they have regular feedback about their performance.
For this reason I like to use practice problems, sample tests, quizzes, rough drafts and one on one meetings with students if possible. This gives students an opportunity to pinpoint areas they are having trouble with, and to improve before the end of the class. It also allows me to identify areas that the class as a whole does not understand, and to adjust my lesson plans accordingly. I strive to use a diversity of teaching methods to present material to students in an engaging manner and in a respectful environment. I want my students to become well educated citizens to whom science is an accessible discipline, not a foreign language.