About This Portfolio

“Education is the kindling of a flame- not the filling of a vessel.” – Socrates

Hello! Welcome to my electronic Teaching Portfolio.  This resource is designed to document my development as a teacher during my graduate studies at the University of British Columbia, and hopefully into the next stages of my academic career in the life sciences.  The primary goal I would like to achieve in maintaining this portfolio is to generate continuous reflection on the evolution of my thoughts on teaching and learning, and on how and I why I teach the way I do.  I also want to keep track of the strategies that I am employing in the classroom and how effective they are in achieving student learning to ensure that my teaching methods are coherent with my philosophy towards teaching and that I am evolving and progressing as a teacher.  This portfolio will serve as a guide to map my teaching and professional development activities throughout my doctoral degree at UBC such that, upon completion of my degree, I will have a solid and organized resume of teaching experience and reflective practice with which to move forwards in my academic career.

To navigate around this portfolio, please use the tabs located in the menu bar above or the Table of Contents found below.

Table of Contents:

1. Philosophy

A description of my philosophy on teaching and learning, and how it has been shaped through my personal experiences.

2. Teaching

i. Teaching Experience & Responsibilities
Includes my teaching assignments and community involvement along with brief descriptions of the responsibilities these entailed.

ii. Professional Development

Contains links to my professional development activities (including, most recently, the completion of Biology 535- Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences at UBC). You will find evidence of my reflective practice throughout the section dedicated to Biology 535.

iii. Course & Curriculum Evaluation

Description of current efforts in course and curriculum evaluation in the Department of Microbiology at UBC.

iv. Assessment & Evaluation of Teaching

Contains assessments of my teaching from peers, evaluators and students.

3. Resources

Links to websites, tools, workshops, etc. that I would like to share with others pursuing an interest in teaching and learning in science

4. Resume

My current academic resume, including education, research experience, teaching assignments, and community involvement.

It is my intention that, in reviewing this portfolio, you will experience my passion for teaching and for assisting in the development of individuals, and that you too will become excited about the truly unique opportunity we have as human beings to question, ponder and grow through our attempts to understand the magnificent universe around us.

Contact me: jjwright49[at]me[dot]com

-Acknowledgments go to Adrienne Nye for creative inspiration and assistance with website design-