Teaching Philosophy
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
__ Socrates __
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Education is a lifelong journey that transcends the confines of a classroom. Hence, a great teacher is one that can best prepare students for that journey, one that can cultivate in them an open mind that is forever hungry for knowledge, even when their institutionalized education obligations have concluded. And to borrow Socrates’ words, a great teacher should be someone who “kindles a flame”, not someone who “fills a vessel”.
With this teaching philosophy in mind, I am humbled to share three core teaching practices that I have developed while serving as an instructional assistant (IA) for various political science classes at University of California San Diego (UC San Diego): first, making knowledge accessible to students regardless of their backgrounds; second, encouraging students to move beyond passive reception of knowledge and towards active learning; and third, embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and fostering equity in classrooms. Notable past student evaluations will be included to demonstrate the positive impact of these teaching practices.
Teaching & Mentoring Experience
At UC San Diego
GPPS400 International Relations in Asia Pacific, with Dr. Stephan Haggard (School of Global Policy and Strategy) (Master-level)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI11D Introduction to Comparative Politics, with Dr. Karen Ferree (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI12D Introduction to International Relations, with Dr. Erik Garzke (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI11D Introduction to Comparative Politics, with Dr. Kaare Strom (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI103A California Government and Politics, with Dr. Thad Kousser (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI160AA Introduction/Policy Analysis, with Dr. Matthew Bergman (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI142P Crisis Areas in World Politics, with Dr. Graham Timmins (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI122D Abuse of Power, with Dr. Kaare Strom (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
POLI143 International Conflict: Cyber, Space, UAVs, with Dr. Erik Gartzke (Department of Political Science)
Student Evaluation of Teaching
At Peking University
The Rise of China and Change in World Politics, with Dr. Xu Xin (Summer School)
China In Transition 4.0, with Dr. Xu Xin (Summer School)
Women in Contemporary China, with Dr. Li Yingtao (Yenching Academy)
Critical Perspectives on Modern Sino-Foreign Relations, with Dr. Chen Li (Yenching Academy)​