Teaching Philosophy

When describing the role of caretaking in human life, the anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson states that “the best caretaker offers a combination of challenge and support” (Composing a Life, Grove Press, 1989, p. 155). As a professor, I am a caretaker of knowledge. I am also a caretaker of the educational and research trajectories of the students whom I teach and supervise. Perhaps, for this reason, I have taken inspiration from this quote to guide my teaching philosophy: The primary role of a teacher is to provide an appropriate balance of challenge and support to enhance student learning and well-being. In addition to balance, I strive for excellence of instruction, a vital factor in students’ growth, learning, and well-being. I was humbled to have my aspirations for teaching excellence recognized as the ECE Department's nominee for the Early Career Teaching Award in both 2023 and 2024.

Undergraduate Courses

• Linear Control Theory (ECE557): fall 2020–2023, 2025.

• Introduction to Control Theory (ECE356): winter 2023, 2024, 2026.

Graduate Courses

• Risk-Aware and Stochastic Control Theory with Learning (ECE1660): fall 2023, winter 2026.

• Special Topics: Risk-Averse and Stochastic Control Theory with Learning (ECE1643): winter 2021, summer 2022, fall 2022.