My Teaching Philosophy



I believe human beings begin life naturally curious and eager to learn everything that can be learned. The verbal discourse of children provides marvellous examples of how everything is interesting (“Why?”), everything is learnable (“I can do it!”) and everything is connected (“Red shoes and blue shoes are the same!”). With the beginning of formal education, information overload can lead to compartmentalized, selective learning.  In my teaching, formally in the classroom or one-on-one supervision, I strive to revive natural curiosity. I provide exercises that allow students to build confidence in their ability learn difficult concepts (peer review, drafts, and detailed constructive feedback). I am deliberate in helping students connect the learning in my courses with prior learning in and outside of the classroom.  I believe that helping students see creative links between the seemingly unconnected spurs “bigger picture” thinking. An appreciation that it is “all connected” is the motivation for life long curiosity.

                                                                                             Sometimes you lose a forest in the trees.
                                                                                                                                 -Chinese Proverb


Sheree Kwong See | University of Alberta | Website designed by Amanda Schwanke