Austin Bernard
Hometown: Gillette, WY
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Austin is currently working as a learning assistant in the PETE 4990-02 course under
the guidance of mentor Dr. Tawfik Elshehabi. Austin wanted to become an LA because
he loves to teach others and help them learn. Austin also thought that he would be
able to incorporate a lot of the active learning spectrum into a lecture class. After
graduation, Austin plans to continue his studies as well as science outreach because
he feels it is important to keep new students interested in the sciences.
Teaching Philosophy: Austin's philosophy revolves around hands-on experience as this is the way he learns
best. Austin wants to keep students engaged throughout a presentation rather than
just talking at them and throwing facts at them. Austin believes strongly in active
learning.
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Terrin Bond
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Major: Pre-Pharmacy
Terrin is currently working as a learning assistant in the CHEM 2440 course under
the guidance of mentor Dr. Ginka Kubelka. Terrin wanted to become an LA because of
his love for organic chemistry and to help students through the struggles he faced
in organic chemistry. By implementing more active learning techniques, Terrin hopes
that he can make the weed-out course for many students become a place of academic
growth. Terrin plans to go to pharmacy school next fall and hopefully become a clinical
pharmacist, giving Terrin an opportunity for life-long learning and a voice in healthcare.
Teaching Philosophy: Terrin's teaching philosophy focuses on student growth not just in the class at hand,
but in the learning process throughout our lives. Terrin believes in the importance
of education based upon application and critical thinking not on memorization and
regurgitation.
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Clara Bouley
Hometown: Sheridan, WY
Major: Food Science & Human Nutrition
Clara, starting next semester, will be working as a learning assistant in the MOLB
4100 course under the guidance of mentor Dr. Pamela Langer. Clara wanted to become
an LA to gain experience in implementing active learning and aiding students in understanding
complex topics. Clara plans to attend medical school following the completion of her
master's.
Teaching Philosophy: Learning is best achieved in an environment that fosters collaboration and acceptance
of everyone's ideas. Providing students with tools and examples to apply their understanding
to real-world scenarios is vital to sparking interest and providing relevant applications
for their future careers.
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Trent Bronnenberg
Hometown: Cody, WY
Majors: Physiology & Molecular Biology
Trent is currently working as a learning assistant in Clinical Biochemistry with Dr.
Pamela Langer. Trent became a Learning Assistant to better improve the educational
methods of various courses around campus. Trent was a part of the pilot group of LA's
with Rachel Watson's Microbiology course and through this experience, Trent was able
to see the benefits of active learning. As Trent has grown as an instructor, Trent
has furthered his knowledge of active learning, the proper methods to implement this
teaching style, and has benefited greatly from working with multiple instructors.
Teaching Philosophy: "My philosophy in teaching is that there is always a new and exciting way to present
material in which students might grasp key concepts better. Through the use of active
learning, we are better able to implement teaching styles to help every and all learners,
while better gaining an understanding of how students learn."
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Bradon Bryngelson
Hometown: Gillette, WY
Major: History
Bradon is currently working as a learning assistant in the Fundamentals of Development
& Learning 2450-03 course under the guidance of mentor Joseph Russo. Bradon became
an LA because it was a new and genuinely intriguing experience. Bradon joined because
it would allow him to refine his skills as an educator and learn how to become much
more active in both his own education and the learning and development of his students.
Teaching Philosophy: "Informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy". Bradon wants to have every tool
and refined skill to help inform students and aid them in becoming critical thinkers
who can inform themselves and participate in this democracy and this world.
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Claire Campion
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Major: Zoology
Claire is currently working as a learning assistant in the ZOO 4100 & 4101 courses
under the guidance of mentor Bethann Merkle. Claire became an LA to encourage students
to find their passion in science and think about science in a transdisciplinary framework.
Claire has seen how active learning can change a student's attitude toward learning
and being an LA helps her grow as a teacher and learner as well. After graduating
with MS, Claire plans to pursue a career in science communication/ outreach!
Teaching Philosophy: Claire's goal is to spark curiosity in students and inspire lifelong learning. In
Claire's classroom, her goal is to create an inclusive community learning environment
that promotes positive learning experiences.
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Gia Davis
Hometown: Cheyenne, WY
Major: Psychology
Gia is currently working as a learning assistant in the PSYCH 4300 course under the
guidance of mentor Dr. Maria Kuznetsova.
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Courtney G. Derby
Hometown: Lander, WY
Major: Elementary Education
Courtney is currently working as a learning assistant in the PSYCH 2080-01 course
under the guidance of mentor Dr. Meredith Minear.
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Silas Goetz
Hometown: Lander, WY
Major: Geology
Silas is currently working as a learning assistant in the CHEM 1020 course under the
guidance of mentor Dr. Laura de Sousa Oliveira. Silas became an LA to connect on a
deeper level with students in classes that were foundational for his education at
the University of Wyoming. Additionally, Silas enjoys learning from these students
and learning about their career and life goals. After graduating from the University
of Wyoming, Silas plans to pursue an M.Sc. in economic geology.
Teaching Philosophy: Silas aims to provide students with the necessary educational resources that they
might apply this learning to whatever their passions are, both within, and outside
of the classroom.
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McKenna Hackett
Hometown: Scottsbluff, NE
Major: Microbiology
McKenna is currently working as a learning assistant in the MICR/MOLB 2021 course
under the guidance of mentor Kassandra Willingham. McKenna originally became an LA
to help students who are struggling with difficult subjects. When taking Microbiology,
McKenna had an amazing LA who really helped and pushed her through the semester, so
she wanted to give others that same motivation. After graduation, McKenna wants to
go to graduate school to become a geneticist. She loves the idea of teaching and hopes
to continue teaching throughout her career.
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Ruby Jenco
Hometown: St. Joseph, MO
Majors: Environment & Natural Resources, and Wildlife Biology & Management.
Ruby is currently working as a learning assistant in the ENR 1101 course under the
guidance of mentor Maggie Borque. Ruby chose to become an LA to further her passion
for helping others learn about the environment and the interdisciplinary framework
that surrounds environmental issues. After graduation, Ruby plans on pursuing environmental/outdoor
education in various state or national parks around the country to gain more teaching
experience.
Teaching Philosophy: Learning should be thought-provoking in the sense that students are encouraged to
think about the real-world implications behind what they're learning. If there is
no application involved with a student's learning, then we lose the engagement that
is necessary to retain information.
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Cynthia Morin
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Chemical Engineering
Cynthia is currently working as a learning assistant in the Math 2210-01 &-02 courses
under the guidance of mentor Dr. Eric Quade. This is Cynthia's first semester as an
LA. After graduation, Cynthia does not have plans at this time to pursue a masters'
degree or continue educating students. However, Cynthia is planning to pursue a full-time
career in manufacturing engineering in Silicon Valley!
Teaching Philosophy: Learning should be interactive, enjoyable, and fun. It is Cynthia's goal to make learning
a memorable experience and an enjoyable one because ultimately learning should be
a positive experience and something that feeds all of our natural curiosities to know
more about the world.
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Vinaya Palecanda
Hometown: Mysore, India
Major: Civil Engineering
Vinaya is currently working as a learning assistant in the CE 3400-01 course under
the guidance of mentor Kimberly Frith.
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Elizabeth Quigley
Hometown: Rock Springs, WY
Major: Physiology
Elizabeth is currently working as a learning assistant in the ZOOL 4125 course under
the guidance of mentors Dr. Amy Navratil and Diane Gorski.
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Brett Ralston
Hometown: Encampment, WY
Major: Microbiology
Brett is currently working as a learning assistant in the CHEM 4400 course under the
guidance of mentor Rachel Watson.
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Bailey Rumpf
Hometown: Cheyenne, WY
Major: Agricultural Education
Bailey is currently working as a learning assistant in the GEN Micro-2021-01 course
under the guidance of mentor Kassandra Willingham. Bailey became an LA after being
a lab TA for Microbiology. Bailey loved lab so much that she figured as an education
major, she should give lectures a try. Bailey is very passionate about teaching and
wanted to get hands-on experience with it before beginning her journey as an educator.
After graduation, Bailey intends to begin her career as an educator alongside pursuing
her master's degree.
Teaching Philosophy: Learning takes place in an environment where student ideas are welcomed and highly
encouraged. Bailey encourages all students to let their ideas and personalities flourish
in order to further their knowledge in all areas.
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Makyela Sorensen
Hometown: Greybull, WY
Majors: Physiology & Psychology
Makyela is currently working as a learning assistant in the LIFE 1101 course under
the guidance of mentor Dr. Jamie Crait. Makyela became a LA because she wanted the
opportunity to help students feel comfortable in their classes and succeed to the
best of their ability! Makyela is currently applying for and interviewing at multiple
PA programs.
Teaching Philosophy: Makyela's goal as an LA is to serve as a bridge between students and professors. She
believes that everyone learns differently and having someone that can help bring out
that learning style is essential to successful learning.
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Bree Thompson
Hometown: Hot Springs, SD
Major: Agricultural & Applied Economics
Bree is currently working as a learning assistant in the AGEC 4880 course under the
guidance of mentor Dr. Mariah Ehmke. Bree became an LA because like so many other
students she learns better in more applied ways rather than the typical lecture style
of a college classroom, so Bree wanted to be a part of bringing new ideas to the classroom
and helping students learn. After graduation, Bree plans on starting her career and
applying what she has learned from her schooling and what Bree will learn on the job
to be successful in her field.
Teaching Philosophy: Every student is unique and learns differently, therefore, her goal is to help students
find the learning style that works best for them, so they are able to apply it to
other aspects of their life and be successful.
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