Teaching Philosophy
It is my belief that learning comes not just through rote memorization of terminology and concepts, but also through the development of insight through personal reflection and discussion. It is my hope and goal that students walk away with both the content knowledge of the course material and renewed insight of themselves brought on through reflection and application of the course material. My job is to guide you, students of higher education, through the course material and provide you with the appropriate resources to be successful and meet these goals. Your job is to adequately use these resources. I encourage a respectful, open dialogue between instructor and students, so please do not hesitate to consult me.
Foundations of Learning Philosophy
Rooted in constructivist-developmental theory (Kegan, 1982, 1994)
Emphasizes experiential learning (Kolb, 1984)
Reflections and active, hands-on experiences
Collaboration between instructor and students
I provide guidance, resources, and a supportive environment
Students bring personal experiences and apply knowledge meaningfully
Education as deeper insights through reflection and dialogue.
Focus on professional competence and personal growth.
Approaches to Teaching
Combine structured lectures with experiential activities
Discussions, role-plays, collaborative projects
Case scenarios to connect theory and practice
Adapt teaching strategies to class needs (McAuliffe, 2011)
Lectures, questioning, small groups, reading, and writing
Use formative and summative assessments
Scaffold assignments to build competencies
Provide clear, constructive feedback in online teaching
Reflections
Online Learning
Cultivate presence and connection in virtual settings
Open office hours, live discussions, video announcements
Regular emails to establish trust and encourage engagement
Solicit student feedback for continuous improvement
Emphasize flexibility and adaptability to meet diverse needs
Personal Growth
Own learning experiences inform varied assessment methods
Reflective assignments, applied projects, purposeful exams
Clinical work enriches teaching with real-world examples
Bridges gap between theory and practice
Mentoring deepens understanding of student needs
*My full teaching and mentoring philosophy, with references, can be downloaded below.
Philosophy of Teaching and Mentoring Mize.pdfAcknowledgments
I am grateful to several colleagues, friends, and students for helping me develop as an online teacher. Firstly, Dr. Alison Melley in the Psychology Department has been a contact since my first semester as a teacher, giving me resources and bouncing ideas. Her innovative thoughts and talent as a teacher-of-teachers do not go unnoticed. Second, I learned from my experiences in the Stearns Center working with course designers. Because of them, I was able to generate new ideas of engagement and create more appeal for my students in my courses. Finally, I am thankful for my colleagues and friends who have served as guest speakers in my courses to provide additional insights.