Educational Philosophy
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” To me, this quote perfectly encapsulates my teaching philosophy.
I believe in student-centered instruction with a reciprocal learning environment. Students today are often on the cutting edge of new and emerging digital media, which means that as an instructor, I have the unique opportunity to learn from my students just as much as they learn from me, allowing for a collaborative experience that might not happen elsewhere.
In today’s world, diversity and inclusion are key. Through my work at Lackawanna College, I have had experience teaching in ethnically and racially diverse classrooms. By fostering an environment where curiosity reigns, I try to encourage my students to tell their stories in their own words, through their own lens, versus trying to impose a worldview on them that may or may not be their own. My classroom is a safe environment, where all viewpoints are considered and accepted.
As a student of communication, my main interests include intercultural communication, as I believe this is a necessary skill since increased globalization thanks to the digitization of society shrinks physical borders and brings people closer together. We need to know how to interact with each other, especially when dealing with people from other cultures. I experienced this first-hand in my professional career as an American of Italian descent working with Italians who immigrated to this country from various parts of Italy. While there were commonalities thanks to my family of origin, there were still nuances that needed to be learned for effective communication to take place.
Finally, my goal as an instructor is to act as a guide. My hope is that my passion for communication and digital media comes through in my teaching and that I foster a love for this field in each student that comes into my classroom. I believe in giving my students as many “real-world” activities as possible so they can apply the skills they’ve learned in my classroom in their professional careers.
Select Communication Courses I've Taught
Writing for Social Media
Writing for Social Media
Writing for Social Media
This course explores the many aspects of social media communication, including the history of social media and its current hold on communication throughout the world. Students will write for social media and create their own digital communication using the latest social media platforms.
Effective Speaking
Writing for Social Media
Writing for Social Media
This course provides students with the basic concepts to effectively deliver speeches in the public arena, addressing key issues in public speaking such as: audience awareness, effective use of language, body language, listening skills, fear of public speaking, and various presentation methods.