MARIAH CRYSTAL

GOALS AS A TEACHER

My goals when I teach are twofold: 1) to help students master course content and 2) to mentor students, shaping them as leaders and global citizens who contribute to society. I strive to encourage, inspire and engage students. Furthermore, I aim to help students think critically and to challenge their assumptions. My students gain an appreciation for the humanities and become strong readers, writers and thinkers. Finally, I work to create an open and supportive space in the classroom. I have fifteen years of experience working in higher education, yet I still recognize every day that it is a privilege to be an ally, positive role model, and an open and caring ear for students.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy is grounded in a firm belief in each and every student’s innate wisdom. I see my role as a teacher as that of guide and ally. Teaching and the exchange of ideas are a symbiotic process. I strive for students to meet their goals and acquire new knowledge, yet I know that I always learn equally from them. Teachers must respect and acknowledge the unique ability in all students.

I have also been strongly influenced by the writings and philosophy of Paulo Freire and bell hooks. Freire sees education as a liberatory practice, and challenges us to use education as a vehicle capable of freeing us from oppression and advancing social justice. bell hooks has also been a foundational inspiration to my philosophy and approach as a teacher and educator. I appreciate her wise, self-reflexive, and caring approach. In this, I can see many applications in terms of mentorship and shaping students into effective global citizens who contribute to society in a positive way.

TEACHING AS A VOCATION

Teaching is my path and my vocation; it is the best way for me to be of service to society. I see teaching as “servant leadership,” a concept coined by Robert Greenleaf. My enthusiasm, passion and dedication to teaching are clear in the energy that I bring to each and every class and student interaction. Many of my former students would describe me as a kind, supportive, dynamic, and extremely passionate teacher. This can be illustrated by a comment made by my supervising professor in a recent teaching evaluation, “I am very impressed with her teaching, which was very professional, encouraging, and engaging…she is a very knowledgeable and effective instructor.” My graduate advisor has written of my, “professionalism, outstanding scholarship” and called me “one of the most talented and innovative graduate students I have ever worked with.” Finally, in a recent teaching evaluation, one student stated that I am “well-versed and passionate,” calling the course “really great, A++”

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

One aspect which differentiates me from others is my international perspective and experience. Having lived abroad multiple times, studied and taught in Germany, Kenya, and worked as a teacher for two years in Namibia, a global perspective is always present in my classroom. Knowing that not every student has the opportunity to travel overseas, this is an important dynamic that is integrated into my teaching style. As a Peace-Corps Volunteer teaching for two years in a rural village in Namibia, I honed many transferrable skills. Teaching in a resource-scarce environment with students who lived in impoverished conditions, many without the basics such as food, clothing, or school supplies, and where many teachers still used corporal punishment demanded extremely creative and engaging teaching and classroom-management techniques. Every environment presents unique challenges, but I know that if I can successfully teach and mentor students in an environment as challenging as rural Namibia, I can motivate and inspire students in almost any situation.