A strong commitment to excellent teaching and advising is, and will continue to be, the foundation of my academic career. One of my primary objectives is to develop and maintain in my pedagogy a focus on the process of teaching and learning in addition to the content of what I teach. The most learning occurs in an active classroom environment where students take responsibility for learning rather than being passive receptors of the professor s knowledge. Facilitating development of students communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills is as important as helping them learn materials science.
Students can often learn as effectively or more effectively from peers than from the professor.
Professor and students are equals in the learning process. I have as much to learn from my students as they from me.