I love being a professor! I first walked into a classroom to teach at the beginning of my second year as a PhD student in Finance at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). What do I remember about that day? I remember standing in front of the Business Finance class of about 130 students and feeling completely at ease. I was not nervous (ok maybe just a little), and I remember thinking that this is where I am meant to be. This is what I am meant to be doing. Not too many people are lucky enough to find their true passion in life, and I will forever be filled with gratitude that I have found mine.
As much as I enjoyed my time at UTA, I was quite happy when I got the position at Butler University (BU) when I finished my PhD. BU is a small, private school, and I found it very similar to Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) where I had had the time of my life as an undergraduate student. The class sizes are small, and you really get to know your students – something that is very difficult at bigger colleges. The only thing I missed about UTA was the diversity on campus. UTA is one of the most diverse colleges in the USA! However, I have had the opportunity to grow as a professor at BU, and I continue to enjoy my time there.
If you ask me how my teaching has evolved over the last 15 years, I will say that I have learned to consider my students’ perspective in every teaching decision that I make. In my early years of teaching, I admit that I didn’t always do that. However, I have realized that to maximize student engagement, I must always come from a place of love, empathy, kindness, and inclusion. I now ask students for their view on the syllabus and the way the class unfolds over the semester.
Getting input from my students reiterates my respect for them and lets them know that I am focused on their success. Moreover, I emphasize language that reflects the worth and dignity of all my students. Students are encouraged to speak and act thoughtfully, fairly, respectfully, and with love for each other. Teaching with love fosters a welcoming and peaceful classroom environment. This makes both me and my students very happy!