Teaching Philosophy
I believe in helping students develop tangible and transferable skills while fostering their curiosity and interest in the world around us. My courses are built on practices of active learning, open and clear communication, and guided independent work. When possible, I integrate course-based research experience into my classroom. This gives students a chance to learn first-hand what research is like, while building confidence in research skills to take on future opportunities. I tailor my lessons and primary literature to my students' expressed interests and develop assignments that actively engage students and teach them skills in coding, science communication, and critical thinking. I believe in an open and inclusive classroom where every member feel as though they can bring their whole self to class, and I am always open to feedback to improve my instruction and the experience of my students.
Courses Taught
Instructor:
Plant & Their Partners: Exploring mutualisms and their effect on how ecosystems work [Wheaton College, Spring 2021]
Biodiversity and Ecology of Tropical Forests [Brown University, Summer 2019]
The Global Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Forest [Brown University, canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19]
Teaching Assistant:
Environmental Science in a Changing World [Brown University, Fall 2016]
Terrestrial Biogeochemistry and the Functioning of Ecosystems [Brown University, Fall 2019]
Tropical Forest Ecology [Colgate University; extended study to Costa Rica in Winter 2020]
Plant & Their Partners: Exploring mutualisms and their effect on how ecosystems work [Wheaton College, Spring 2021]
Biodiversity and Ecology of Tropical Forests [Brown University, Summer 2019]
The Global Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Forest [Brown University, canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19]
Teaching Assistant:
Environmental Science in a Changing World [Brown University, Fall 2016]
Terrestrial Biogeochemistry and the Functioning of Ecosystems [Brown University, Fall 2019]
Tropical Forest Ecology [Colgate University; extended study to Costa Rica in Winter 2020]
Course Material Development
In 2021/22, I completed an incubator with OCELOTS (Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems) to create an online learning module based on my research. The purpose of OCELOTS is to create modules that get students excited about the tropics by broadening perspectives and enhancing skills. In addition to developing more modules for OCELOTS, I also help run workshops to help others create their own modules and/or implement existing modules in their classrooms.
L.A. McCulloch and J.I. Mora Sibaja. 2023 Plant-microbial mutualisms in canopy gap recovery: How do soil microbial symbionts help tropical forests recover from treefall gaps?. OCELOTS Incubator: Creating an online module in tropical biology, (Version 2.0). QUBES Educational Resources.
doi:10.25334/989X-RW04
L.A. McCulloch and J.I. Mora Sibaja. 2023 Plant-microbial mutualisms in canopy gap recovery: How do soil microbial symbionts help tropical forests recover from treefall gaps?. OCELOTS Incubator: Creating an online module in tropical biology, (Version 2.0). QUBES Educational Resources.
doi:10.25334/989X-RW04
