Teaching Philosophy

I see teaching, mentoring, and research as deeply interconnected. My passion for studying Mexican and Central American families shapes both my scholarship and classroom practice. Drawing on my research with Latinx immigrant youth, I bring real-world insights into the classroom to explore the challenges immigrant youth face in schools, at home, and in the workforce.

My philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning is a group process. While I engage students individually, I also encourage them to debate course topics in small groups and then expand their ideas in larger class discussions. This collaborative approach transforms the classroom into a source of social capital and support.

As an instructor, I strive to be compassionate and enthusiastic, fostering an environment where students feel supported and motivated to engage critically. My courses take a comparative approach, encouraging students to explore themes such as working-class experiences, politics, race, and gender relations.

Finally, I believe students have the potential to create change beyond the university. To support this, I connect the classroom with local community organizations, giving students opportunities to apply their learning and become agents of change in the wider world.

Teaching Awards

• 2025 – ASU Faculty Women’s Association Outstanding Faculty Mentor

• 2024 – President's Award for Innovation: Online Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, ASU

• 2019 – Outstanding Mentor Award, Center for Global Health at ASU (graduate student nomination)

• 2019 – Innovation in Teaching Award, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, for developing an immigration course that uses art to engage students and the community in discussions on immigrants and immigration