My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is grounded by my commitment to critical pedagogies, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and abolitionist, liberatory pedagogies.

Specifically, I view my role through a Frerian lens of problem-posing education where the teacher is a student and the student as a teacher (Freire, 1970).

Based on my commitments to critical pedagogies (Friere, 1970), I approach class as a co-learner with my students.

My Teaching Commitments

Creating

Creating inclusive, culturally sustaining classroom communities

Planning

Planning and delivering effective instruction

Engaging

Engaging in critical reflection and action

Teaching Interests

Critical Pedagogies

I use culturally sustaining pedagogies to teach to and through cultural backgrounds of  students. I design curricula that are responsive to student identities, interests, and goals. 

Problem-Posing Education

I view myself as a teacher and as a learner. I focus on co-creating brave classroom spaces and practices with students where, through relationships, trust, and dialogue, we identify racism, whiteness, and oppression in our world and potential teaching practices, and together work toward individual and collective liberation. 

Selected Student Feedback

“Laura cultivated a really welcoming environment that allowed us to have really honest, vulnerable conversations that were super productive to our growth. Our discussions were really intentional and allowed us to unpack the content deeply, and these discussions were only possible because we felt comfortable talking with each other and asking questions. Laura also gave us freedom (within boundaries) to choose our readings to what would be most helpful to our practice, which helped us make those real connections between content and praxis.”

“This class was very much "practice what you preach." That was the most helpful part. We were learning about classroom ecology while having it be modeled for us.”

“The whole content of the class contributed to my learning, but also the way Laura taught the course was so much learning for me. I learn so much from the activities she planned, how she treat us during each session and her style. It was amazing!”

“The way that Laura crafted a classroom community made me invest in my learning in a way that I do not always do. I felt accountable for what I was learning through the readings and discussions. I wanted to support my peers and they wanted to support me. We took the abstract concepts from this class and made them real!”

Courses Taught

  • I served as an instructor of record for Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 for B.A., M.Ed., and Ph.D. students.

  • I co-taught Classroom Ecology in Spring 2024 for M.Ed. students and one B.A. student

  • I served as a teacher assistant to Dr. Chris da Silva in Fall and Spring semesters of 2020-2022 for M.Ed. students.

“The whole content of the class contributed to my learning, but also the way Laura taught the course was so much learning for me. I learned so much from the activities she planned, how she treated us during each session, and her style. It was amazing!”

— Student, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

One of the most special things about this class was how intentional they were in creating a welcoming, supportive classroom environment. They taught us about classroom ecology not just through readings and assignments, but also through the ways in which they constructed the course. I have so much respect for them both. I trusted their opinions and knowledge on this subject because I could see how they were actively implementing the structures and supports they were teaching us.”

— Student, Classroom Ecology

“Laura was so supportive throughout the semester. She helped my own learning and growth, and I believe she contributed to the classroom community in such important ways. She also provided so much support, organization, and clarity during our class sessions. It felt like Laura always had my back! She was always willing to help me out and helped me get connected to people who I was hoping to learn from. Very grateful for Laura.”

— Student, Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies