The Learning Conservatory
Online Teaching • Instructional Design • Student Success • Educational Leadership
A teaching philosophy centered on adult learners, intellectual curiosity, flexibility, academic rigor, technological growth, critical thinking, research, and meaningful human connection.
My Online Teaching Philosophy
Designing learning environments where adult learners can succeed.
Designing for the Adult Learner
My philosophy as an instructional designer is to develop online courses that support the adult learner’s different learning styles and provide them with optimal learning opportunities.
Student First
My philosophy as an instructor is to put the student first, being flexible and understanding when necessary and relentless when that is what is called for.
I am an avid listener willing to work alongside the learner to guide them toward academic success.
My Role as an Instructor
Six responsibilities guide how I support learners.
Guide
Serve as a course guide, aiding learners as they improve their knowledge and skills within the field.
Motivate
Motivate and encourage learners to overcome the hurdles they face throughout their academic journey.
Awaken Curiosity
Introduce subject matter in ways that engage curiosity and encourage genuine interest in learning.
Connect
Lead subject-specific discussion and help learners make the connections necessary for deeper understanding.
Build Capability
Help learners improve their technological skills while developing stronger critical-thinking abilities.
Strengthen Scholarship
Encourage learners to improve their writing and research skills throughout face-to-face and online courses.
“The instructor does not simply deliver information. The instructor helps the learner discover how to use it.”
My Administrative Philosophy
Service-oriented leadership grounded in people, collaboration, coaching, and institutional knowledge.
My approach to library administration is both service oriented and people centric. My background as a reference librarian has shaped the way I lead because reference work and customer service both begin with listening to people and understanding what they need.
At Ottawa University, when a library position disappeared and was not filled, I often learned the work myself. That experience gave me broad practical knowledge of library operations and a strong appreciation for the people who perform them.
My management style is primarily coaching and democratic. I emphasize collaboration, staff empowerment, two-way communication, shared goals, professional development, and opportunities for staff to increase their knowledge of the field.
Leadership in Practice
How administrative philosophy becomes daily practice.
Collaboration
As Library Director, I collaborated on budget requests, Library Commons development, accreditation discussions, and vendor meetings for database acquisition.
As Associate Dean, I worked with administrators, the Dean, HR, faculty, and library staff on evaluations, training, scheduling, hiring, mentorship, and departmental supervision.
Teamwork
I worked one-to-one with staff who needed help with projects or workflow procedures and trained graduate supervisors who supported student workers.
At Stiern Library, I created acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, and other work groups so staff could discuss projects and document workflows for future use.
Transparency
Administrative transparency is not always simple because some information cannot immediately be shared.
I nevertheless make an effort to communicate what I can, explain where the organization is going, and provide staff with useful context during meetings.
Efficiency
As Library Director, I developed experience with budget planning and balancing academic needs against available resources.
When a new nursing program requested approximately $100,000 in databases, I developed a phased approach beginning around $10,000 in the first year and expanding the collection over four years.
Continuous Learning
I requested annual professional-development funding for library staff and myself so that we could attend conferences, workshops, committee meetings, and professional presentations.
At CSUB, I continued that practice through supervisory workshops, faculty-development programs, and student-mentoring training.
Advocacy
I have advocated for librarian professional development, private academic libraries, library technology, conference travel, accreditation needs, and departmental initiatives.
My advocacy work has included service as Kansas Library Association President, State Library Board participation, accreditation work, departmental outreach, and staff-support initiatives.
Experience Related to Library Services
Teaching, leadership, administration, reference service, and library operations.
Library Director
Gangwish Library • Ottawa University • Ottawa, Kansas
Taught English, served on faculty committees, supervised circulation, technical services, interlibrary loan and archives, managed archive student projects, acquisitions and electronic resource management, worked with vendors, managed budgets, maintained the library website, supported accreditation, and participated in library collaborations.
Associate Dean
Walter W. Stiern Library • California State University, Bakersfield
Managed Library Services scheduling, participated in library-wide meetings, organized grouped and individual staff meetings, worked with the Dean on staff hiring and evaluations, and coordinated with student supervisors involved in student hiring.
Associate Librarian
Walter W. Stiern Library • California State University, Bakersfield
Provides Library Services staff with library projects while serving in faculty and coordination responsibilities.
My Teaching Philosophy
Guiding principles for teaching, mentoring, and learner success.
Learner Centered
Begin with the learner and the conditions necessary for that individual to succeed.
Flexible but Purposeful
Adapt when circumstances call for flexibility without abandoning academic expectations.
Active Guidance
Work alongside learners rather than simply placing information in front of them.
Curiosity
Present subjects in ways that invite questions, exploration, and intellectual engagement.
Critical Thinking
Teach students to evaluate information, recognize connections, and apply knowledge.
Research & Writing
Strengthen the academic skills learners need to communicate knowledge effectively.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Creating learning and working environments grounded in respect, fairness, access, and participation.
Diversity
Recognizing the many differences that make individuals and communities unique.
Equity
Providing students with the support and resources they need to have a fair opportunity to succeed.
Inclusion
Providing meaningful access and participation to individuals who might otherwise be excluded.
Belonging
Helping students and staff feel that they are genuinely part of the institution where they study or work.
Respect in the Classroom and Library
I have worked with diverse populations of students, staff, and faculty, including people with disabilities and individuals from different races, cultures, identities, and backgrounds. My goal has consistently been to treat people fairly, respectfully, and without discrimination.
At CSUB, I completed a three-month student-success training course that strengthened my ability to mentor students and help them move toward greater academic success.
While teaching English at Ottawa University, I worked with students who required accommodations such as additional time for assignments and examinations or quieter testing environments. I supported those accommodations as matters of both equity and inclusion.
I also looked for opportunities to create a sense of belonging. These ranged from small classroom incentives to recognition certificates for students who successfully completed information literacy examinations.
Building a Culture of Respect
In administrative work, I would use these principles to encourage a respectful workplace where staff are comfortable participating in open dialogue when concerns need to be discussed.
I would also support fair recruitment practices and diverse hiring processes while creating a workplace in which people are respected and able to contribute.