Statement of Teaching Philosophy

My experience as a successful leader integrates seamlessly with my efforts and work as an educator of adult learners.  I firmly believe that teachers of adult learners must not only possess a deep knowledge of their subject matter, but they must have the passion to guide students in their learning by sharing that information while learning themselves from the experiences and knowledge of those around them.

My teaching style is shaped by an understanding that I am a guide for the adult learning experience.  I must leverage the learner's educational and professional experiences in an effort to help students connect to the subject material.  In an online learning environment, students must be inspired to take responsibility for learning and the material must be made relevant and applicable to their world in order for the proposition to be fulfilled.  I must be both flexible and engaging to help each student find the individual connection to the subject material.

As a facilitator, I will have met my objectives if I have impassioned a desire in my students to seek and acquire knowledge and to apply essential skills to solve problems they encounter in the future.  I enjoy the online learning environment because it closely mirrors that of the modern business environment.  Email, blogs, discussion forums, and other asynchronous means of communication are very common in today's business world.  As a practitioner-scholar, I have an ability to connect the body of literature with practical experience and am able to convey a level of credibility with students and peers.  I continue to be both a student and an engaged-practitioner in the fields I desire to teach.  As such, I am afforded the unique ability to bring real business experience to the classroom.

I strongly value the diversity of learning styles and the unique perspectives—both individual and cultural, which students and peers bring to the learning setting.  As a result, I strive to provide an environment where students feel comfortable in expressing their needs and opinions and believe that the entire class benefits and learns from that exchange.  I remain open to new challenges and opportunities and as my students change, I evolve also.  I am committed to the growth and maturity of my discipline and strive to pass on the most relevant knowledge to my students.