I believe that the value of learning occurs when we are true to ourselves. My teaching philosophy is grounded in this belief. It is my responsibility to provide knowledge, tools, and experiences for my students while encouraging individual inquiry with no expectation that they will become replicas of me. I value individual identity and integrity within myself as the facilitator as well as in my students.  Learning occurs when students are given the freedom to personally investigate the material while also staying on the task at hand. This is facilitated through a respect for curiosity and regard for the individual, differing learning styles, and lived experiences. I believe in being empathetic, ethical, and true to my own identity. I find value in being a perpetual student myself, and I will continue to remember the difficulty, excitement, and vulnerability inherent in learning.