Teaching

Building the next generation of critically minded criminal justice scholars and practitioners.

Teaching Philosophy

I approach teaching as an act of intellectual and civic responsibility. Criminal justice education carries high stakes; it shapes how future practitioners, policymakers, and citizens understand crime, punishment, and justice.

Student-Centered Learning

I believe learning flourishes when students feel seen and supported. I prioritize creating inclusive classroom environments where all perspectives are welcomed and students from underrepresented backgrounds are centered.

Connecting Theory to Practice

Criminal justice education is most powerful when students can see how theoretical concepts illuminate real-world policy debates. I design discussions that bridge criminological theory with current events in drug policy, policing, and reform.

Developing Critical Thinkers

My teaching goal is not to transmit information but to cultivate analytical skills. Students should leave my classroom better equipped to evaluate evidence, question assumptions, and engage critically with criminal justice institutions.

Mentorship and Accessibility

I maintain generous office hours and am committed to being accessible to students, particularly those navigating first-generation college challenges or considering graduate school in criminal justice.

Courses Taught

CRJ 101
Undergraduate
2024–Present

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Graduate Teaching Assistant·University of Mississippi·~120 students

Survey course covering the history, structure, and function of the American criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. As GTA, I led weekly discussion sections, developed supplementary materials on drug policy, held office hours, and graded examinations and written assignments.

Topics Covered

History of American Policing
Courts and Prosecution
Sentencing and Corrections
Drug Policy and the War on Drugs
Juvenile Justice
Criminal Justice Reform
CRJ 301
Undergraduate
2024–Present

Research Methods in Criminal Justice

Graduate Teaching Assistant·University of Mississippi·~60 students

Intermediate methods course introducing students to quantitative and qualitative research design in criminal justice. I assisted with lab sections on statistical software (STATA), helped students develop research proposals, and provided feedback on literature reviews and data analysis assignments.

Topics Covered

Research Design
Survey and Interview Methods
Quantitative Analysis (STATA)
Qualitative & Content Analysis
Ethics in Research
Policy Evaluation

Courses I Could Teach

In addition to courses I have already assisted with, I am well-prepared to develop and teach the following courses at the undergraduate or graduate level:

Drug Policy and Society
Race, Crime, and Justice
Punishment and Social Control
Criminal Justice Reform
Criminological Theory
Research Methods (Graduate Level)
Inequality and the Law
Opioid Crisis: Policy Responses