My desire to and passion for teaching is selfish and altruistic

• Teaching is a form of instant (or near term) gratification. My personal satisfaction from enabling an 'oh now I get it moment', or accomplishments once though impossible, or sparking interest in math or science. Even the extra time teaching provides to talk about my passions is rewardful. Only recently this satisfaction was surpassed by similar moments with my daughter.
• I firmly believe that a general population educated in math, science (e.g. earth science), and the scientific method is a vital part of a functioning democracy. Through voting, people express their desires related to environmental policy decisions. An uneducated society is unable to make informed decisions on which candidates will pursue evidence based policy choices. If a majority of people believed mercury safe and capable of transforming anyone into a super hero like the X-Man Wolverine (it is extremely dangerous! Do not try!) elected officials wouldn't waste resources preventing mercury exposure. Mercury would poison everyone!

Learning varies with individuals; no one method provides a universally ideal approach. However, any technique that generates student interest and maximizes student engagement is always beneficial. My methods for maximizing interest and engagement include the following.

• Deliberately expressing my passion for everything earth science.
• Providing metaphors and analogies using real world items and topics important to students when explaining complex ideas
• Minimize any actual lecturing. Instead I use questions and guide answers. Yes, I expect everyone to participate!
• Solve problems in class using small groups, selected to ensure every group has a broad range of backgrounds and opinions.

• Course coordinator and lead lecturer for Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences in 2016/2017
• Co-lecturer for Introduction to Climate Sciences from 2013-2016
• Co-lecturer for Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences from 2013-2015
• Teaching Assistant for graduate level dynamic meteorology (including occasional lecturing) from 2007-2010
• Teaching Assistant for unnder graduate general atmospheric science course from 2005-2006

• Course planning
• Creation of course material; lectures, assignments, exams, projects
• Delivering question-answer type lectures for multiple courses