Teaching
My teaching breaks down binaries often seen in the classroom in order to promote diverse ways of thinking, knowing, and communicating. My courses bridge the social and natural sciences, merge method and theory, and affirm Indigenous ways of knowing alongside scientific ones. Dismantling these binaries actively pushes back against colonial epistemologies.
Student experiences
“Taking this class will show you new ways to think about how we construct science and history.”
-Stanford undergraduate, Archaeobotany
“This is the first science class I have ever enjoyed… the instructor made this such an interesting and welcoming space to learn… if I’d had more instructors like her I may have been more tempted to pursue a STEM path.”
-Stanford undergraduate, Archaeobotany
“Every once in a while a class at Stanford really blows my mind — this is one of those classes which, unexpectedly, actually changed the way I’m able to look at the world around us just a little bit.”
-Stanford undergraduate, Archaeobotany
Equity, inclusion, and accessibility
It is my philosophy that the best way to provide an inclusive environment for a diverse student body is by creating community. This means emphasizing connections between people before delving into content. Having a classroom that is a community means students hold each other accountable for meaningful engagement and ethical behavior.
My teaching is grounded in Universally Designed Learning, which means intentionally designing a course to be accessible to all students. Not requiring expensive course materials, building flexibility into the syllabus, being explicit about expectations, and offering a variety of assignment types are simple, structural ways to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the classroom.
What I teach
My courses focus on how archaeologists study the past, why archaeologists study the past, and the politics of studying the past in the present. I teach these themes in courses that illustrate archaeological methods and theories in action by covering concrete case studies and offering hands-on experiences.
I also teach undergraduate and graduate students in the field and in the lab. I have trained students in survey methods, excavation methods, drone technology, archaeobotanical sample processing, starch analysis, and phytolith analysis.
If you are interested in any of my syllabi, please reach out. I am happy to share.
Instructor of Record
Archaeology of Maya Worlds, Stanford University (upcoming course)
Archaeobotany (cross-listed in biological sciences), Stanford University
Unearthing Human History (introduction to archaeology), Northwestern University
Independent Study
Graduate training in phytolith analysis, Stanford University
Teaching Assistant
Senior Capstone Thesis Seminar, Northwestern University
Unearthing Human History (introduction to archaeology), Northwestern University
Human Origins (introduction to biological anthropology), Northwestern University
Myth and Symbolism (lower division cultural anthropology), Northwestern University