Describe your teaching philosophy.
My teaching philosophy is to build a foundation of knowledge and skills through classroom and hands-on
experiences that teach students how to learn and to become lifelong learners. I also follow the Benjamin
Franklin quote “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.”
Why did you decide to teach at a community college?
I enjoy being able to work with students and teach them about all of the opportunities in agriculture.
What can prospective students expect when they enroll in your program?
Students will begin by learning a foundation of skills in the areas of animal nutrition, handling, health,
and breeding. Then upon the completion of those skills, students will be able to apply them in their
second-year courses through hands-on laboratory work.
What experiences outside of SCC do you bring to the classroom/laboratory that enhance student learning?
Along with teaching at SCC I also farm with my family, so I bring a lot of real-world experiences to the
classroom from what I see on the farm. I also use my own experiences outside of SCC to stay current with new
practices in agriculture and then bring those back to the classroom and laboratory.
What advice do you have for students pursuing a degree in your program?
“You get out, what you put in.” The livestock courses provide an abundance of opportunities for students to
get hands-on livestock experiences. If a student is willing to get involved, they will leave with skills
that they can take home to the family farm or that they can utilize to get employed.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I enjoy the student’s eagerness to learn and willingness to explore new avenues of agriculture. One of my
favorite things to experience in our courses is when a student brings up a new idea or topic that we have
not discussed. It allows the class and myself to learn together, which helps teach the students the
importance of lifelong learning.
What is the best part about being an SCC faculty member?
I enjoy getting to visit with other instructors and learn from their experiences in the classroom. It gives
me ideas to use in my own classroom to improve my instruction.
What has been your proudest moment as an instructor?
My proudest moments are when I am working with others in the agriculture industry and I hear about my past
students’ success in the industry.
What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends doing basically anything outdoors.
10. What would students be surprised to know about you?
I have traveled many places in the world, including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.