Teaching Interests & Experience
"This class was very stimulating and pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, learn more perspectives about others, and broadened my understanding of the social work profession and breaking down biases... This class was amazing" -- BSW student
My pedagogy and research are informed by my background in education, clinical social work, and social policy. I hold a BS in Education from DePaul University and received my MSW from the University of Michigan. I have been a therapist, group facilitator, policy advocate, consultant, political campaigner, and an educator from elementary through graduate coursework. I am experienced teaching social work practice and policy and enjoy helping students develop their professional identities, critical lenses, and writing skills.
Teaching Interests
Social work practice: foundational courses, advanced practice with individuals, families, and groups; trauma, violence, and abuse; intimate partner violence; social welfare policy; policy analysis; research methods. Critical pedagogy and praxis.
Experience
Co-Instructor, Social Welfare Practice III
Focus on macro systems in a diverse society using the generalist perspective. Spring 2020
Sole Instructor, Social Welfare Practice I
Introduction to the roles, tasks, and functions of the social welfare practitioner and to theories and methods of intervention. Autumn 2019; 2020
Co-Instructor, Social Welfare Practice II
Part two of the social welfare practice sequence, with a continuation of the focus of SW Practice I. Winter 2018
Teaching Assistant, Social Welfare Policy
Emphasizes policy and program development in social welfare with emphasis on the context, making, and unmaking of social policy. Spring 2017; 2018
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Social Welfare Practice
Introduction to the field of social work, including the theoretical concepts and institutional framework that guide practice. Autumn 2016
Guest Lectures
Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation of Findings (1.5 hours). Class: Social Welfare Research and Evaluation with Asia Bishop, PhD.
Child Welfare Policy and Domestic Violence (3 hours, three times). Class: Child & Family Inequalities: Policy/Services with Peter Pecora, PhD.
Student Mentorship
MPH Practicum Site Supervisor, Julia Lund. Project: Development of a Supervised Family Time program for child welfare-involved families: A qualitative investigation of the founding principles of Strive.