Teaching

    My passion for teaching began after reflecting on an experience I had as an undergraduate student - a professor brought our neuroscience class to the batting cages to demonstrate excitatory and inhibitory responses and used a balloon activity to teach us the parts of the brain. His enthusiasm made learning engaging and accessible, inspiring me to pursue my own career as a professor and equip developing counselors with the skills and confidence to enter the field. As I've pursued my education at Liberty, I have learned skills for the classroom and counseling office, and can more confidently utilize implicit integration throuhout my work.

    In my own teaching, I strive to balance support and accountability, recognizing that each student has unique needs, learning styles, and challenges. I aim to create an environment where students feel encouraged and challenged—offering guidance, fostering critical thinking, and holding them accountable for their growth. I believe active engagement is essential for meaningful learning, so I plan to incorporate hands-on experiences and real-world applications into my teaching. By bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, I hope to help students develop the confidence and competence they need to navigate the complexities of the counseling field.

 

CACREP Doctoral Competencies (2024):

A. Roles and responsibilities related to educating counselors

B. Andragogy and adult learning theories

C. Teaching methods relevant to counselor education

D. Curriculum design and instructional delivery

E. The use of technology in instructional design and program delivery types.

F. Integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles and practices in the counselor education curriculum

G. Universal design to meet the needs of all students with respect for individual differences in learning

H. Instructional and curricular evaluation methods

I. Screening, remediation, and gatekeeping functions relevant to teaching

J. Assessment of student learning and professional dispositions

K. Legal and ethical issues and responsibilities in counselor education for all program delivery types

L. Culturally sustaining strategies for counselor education

M. The role of mentoring in counselor education
 

Artifacts 1-2 were completed during COUC 710 Advanced Group Counseling
    "The purpose of this course is to train counselor educators who demonstrate proficiency in advanced group knowledge and leadership. Students review counseling leadership styles in task-oriented and personal growth groups. Current research on group counseling models and application is critiqued. Emphasis is placed upon leadership behaviors that are most facilitative to the group process"(Syllabus).
 

Artifact 1: Guest Lecture Teaching Notes
Teaching Competencies: C, D, G, K

    I developed a presentation on conflict in group for a virtual intensive of COUC 512 master’s students.
 

Artifact 2: Co-Teaching Reflection
Teaching Competencies: A, J

    Personal reflection of my co-teaching experience with Dr. Shannon Warden and Dr. Eric Schmitt in a COUC 512 virtual intensive.
 

Artifacts 3-9 were completed during COUC 747 Instruction in Counselor Education
    "This course explores contemporary andragogy, course design, adult learning theory, course delivery, and evaluation methods in the field of counselor education. This exploration is both applied in focus and grounded in the empirical research on these subjects. Students synthesize their own philosophy of teaching and incorporate it practically in residential and online instructional contexts. Cultural, ethical, historical, and legal aspects of counseling instruction are examined. Teaching Christian spirituality as a subspecialty area in a counseling program is also considered" (Syllabus).
 

Artifact 3: Interview with a Counselor Educator
Teaching Competencies: A, E, F, I, K, M

    I completed an interview with Dr. Brandi Chamberlin, a previous professor at Liberty University who now works at the University of Cumberlands. This assignment provided me with an opportunity to learn more about counselor education and the roles and responsibilities of the profession.
 

Artifact 4 & 5: Ethics and Wellness Teaching Demonstration
Teaching Competencies: A, C, E, F, H, K

    I completed a teaching demonstration, with a detailed lesson plan, on the importance of ethical wellness as a counselor. This demonstration included a hands-on learning activity to allow students to reflect on their personal wellness and how this could influence their work.
 

Artifact 6: Syllabus Development for CMHC501
Teaching Competencies: B, C, D, E, G, H, J, L

    I developed a mock syllabus for a CMHC 501 course, including course description, application to CACREP competencies, assignment descriptions and rubrics, and appropriate texts for the course.


Artifact 7: Teaching Philosophy
Teaching Competencies: A, F, I, K, L

    My personal philosophy of teaching and learning in higher education, including my educator identity, pedagogical style, and how I plan to practically evaluate students.


Artifact 8: Intensive Lecture Demonstration
Teaching Competencies: C, E, F, K, L

    I worked with a group of peers to provide a lecture during our intensive week on the limitations of the American Counseling Association ethical code. My section of the presentation included the use of artificial intelligence in counseling and counselor education.


Artifact 9: Teaching Competencies Synthesis
Teaching Competencies: A-M

    This paper synthesizes material from courses texts by Haddock & Whitman (2019) and Cavazos (2020). Topics include educator identity, pedagogy, adult learning, curriculum design, online learning, gatekeeping, assessment, ethics, and cultural strategies for the classroom.


Artifacts 10 & 11 were completed during COUC 980 Supervision Internship
    "The doctoral internship is designed to provide students with supervised experiences that reflect the activities of a regularly employed professional in the field of counselor education. All doctoral interns must have internship experiences in supervision, teaching, and one additional doctoral competency (counseling, research, or leadership/advocacy). Under the guidance of faculty and supervisors, the primary focus of the supervision internship is to help doctoral students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for ethical and competent practice as supervisors in the field of counseling and counselor education" (Syllabus).
    Although this course was a supervision internship, Dr. Lilley gave me the opportunity to provide teaching assistant support to students.
 

Artifact 10: Verbatim Feedback
Teaching Competencies: E, H, J

    I provided this feedback on a verbatim assignment for a student in the CMHC practicum course at Liberty University.


Artifact 11: Counseling Skills Lecture Notes
Teaching Competencies: B, C, D, E, H, K

    I worked with another PhD student to provide a lecture on counseling skills using a PowerPoint developed by Dr. Stacey Lilley.
 

Artifact 12 was completed during COUC 850 Advanced Career
    "This course provides an extensive study of the current state of career development and of career counseling theory, research, and practice. Students examine the major theories of career development and vocational behavior, as well as their related constructs and interventions, including strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations. In addition, students learn andragogy for effectively teaching career to master’s level students. Finally, students have the opportunity to examine the existing literature in order to learn how to advance the field through research, presentations, and leadership/advocacy in the field based on these readings. Students are required to already have a knowledge and understanding of basic career counseling theories at an entry-level competency" (Syllabus).

Artifact 12: Krumboltz Teaching Presentation
Teaching Competencies: E, H, M

    I worked with a team of students to develop a presentation to teach the class about Krumboltz’s career learning theory. My sections included the role of career counselors and interventions used by career counselors. I was also tasked with formatting the PowerPoint for the presentation.

Teaching Experience

Co-Teaching/Teaching Assistant
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum
    - 14-week online course (Summer 2024)

Guest Lecturer
Group Counseling
    Conflict: Strengthening Dynamics in Group (2024, October 18)