What area do you teach?

Nutrition

Education/Degree(s)

Dietetic Internship
University of Houston, Houston, Texas

Master of the Arts in Human Environmental Studies: Dietetics Option
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Your Philosophy of Teaching

In my classroom, I teach FN235 Nutrition for Health in a consumer-based approach. I desire for students to have the ability to apply important nutrition principles to improve their well-being outside of the classroom. The ever-revolving Diet Analysis Project enables students to assess their own dietary behavior and via classroom knowledge gained, they are able to make appropriate dietary changes. Students tell me in person and via email that this assignment was well-worth their time and made course material relevant to their lives and that is a huge affirmation that this course goes beyond meeting a requirement for graduation.

In Life Cycle Nutrition, the course focuses on preconception through adolescent nutrition and also elder nutrition. This course is also taken by other majors in our department and sometimes nursing and psychology students as well. I feel that this class must provide students with the ability to utilize this material as a practitioner with a keen understanding of child development and family implications. I believe that through observations, case studies, and working with real individuals/clients, this experiential approach will gap the bridge between baseline knowledge and the skills necessary for professional practice.

Why did you decide to teach?

I began teaching as a graduate assistant at the request of my mentor and never considered this as a career path prior to that opportunity. The very first time I stepped into the classroom, I loved engaging with students and worked hard to present the material in a manner that was rigorous with a huge emphasis on consumer applications. In other words, I wanted my course to matter beyond fulfilling a general studies requirement and teach my students why nutrition is so important and how they could use the science to improve their lives. As I moved through graduate school and completed my internship, it was always the teaching moments that I loved best and knew it was what I was called to do in my life.

Credentials/Career Path

• Registered Nurse & Registered Dietitian

Professional Highlight

• President of Southeast Dietetic Association 2008-2009

Awards/Honors/Recognitions

• Graduated with 4.0 Academic Distinction, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi

Organization with Which You are Involved

• Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics

Best Advice for Students

Be true to yourself and your goals and carve out a pathway unique to your dreams and aspirations. It is never too late to add to your education, make a u-turn, or choose another avenue. The field of dietetics is so diverse and provides countless opportunities for a wide variety of skills and knowledge---many of which are still being imagined and developed! Choose what you love to do for your career and you will never "work" a day in your life. I absolutely love working with students and enjoy every moment I spend with them. I have not had a "job" in years for I have found my true love and passion in life is teaching and I view it as a privilege! Go find your path & your passion, and you will never "work" for a living, but rather will live & love to go to work! I cannot wait to see what my students do next!