Overview
I truly love undergraduate teaching which is why I am thrilled to part of Western Washington University--an institution that is deeply dedicated to undergraduate education. Much of what I learned about teaching I learned from experimenting with innovative techniques at Singapore Management University. I am excited to bring to WWU classes some of the methods that I've found to be effective, and I look forward to learning even more from WWU students and my colleagues.
Teaching Excellence Recognition
Singapore Management University Innovative Teacher Award, 2016
SMU School of Social Sciences Innovative Teacher Award, 2016
SMU School of Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award, 2009, 2014, 2015
University of Illinois Incomplete List of Excellent Teachers, 2001, 2002, 2003
SMU School of Social Sciences Innovative Teacher Award, 2016
SMU School of Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award, 2009, 2014, 2015
University of Illinois Incomplete List of Excellent Teachers, 2001, 2002, 2003
Pictured above: Students in Intro Psychology engage in a task that demonstrates brain lateralization.
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Pedagogical ResearchI published a paper with Ed Diener in the Teaching of Psychology about teaching Subjective Well-Being. Teaching Subjective Well-Being is an excellent way to emphasise scientific methods and dispel myths. The topic is inherently interdisciplinary (in fact, my SWB course is cross-listed under psych and public policy). There are endless opportunities for fun activities and discussions.
I published a chapter in an APA Positive Psychology book with SMU undergraduate Wei Xuan Yi (now at NYU graduate school). The chapter describes a classroom activity which demonstrates how culture influences the “ingredients” we think comprise a “good life.” The activity is based on findings from the culture and emotion literature, some of it by my collaborators and me. What I love about this paper is that it truly represents the intersection of my teaching and research. |