"Contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker
It is not enough these days to 'Question Authority,'
You must speak with it, too."
- Taylor Mali, "Totally Like Whatever"

"Teaching without passion makes as much sense of eating a deep-fried Oreo for its nutritional value"
"Treat knowledge like you treat pizza"
"Don't be like Pikachu and EVOLVE!"
- Dr. Berry

With over three decades proudly involved in teaching and education, my philosophy is deeply rooted in empowering learners to "read the world and the word" with critical insight and unwavering passion. My journey, from the K-12 classroom to academia, has instilled a profound commitment to fostering transformative learning experiences, particularly for future educators. This statement outlines the core principles that guide my pedagogical practice and my unwavering belief in the power of education.​

To me, learning is a dynamic, social process centered on refining questions and challenging complacency. I believe, as I often tell teachers, that while home is where children first begin to research, school is often where they stop. My classrooms strive to be spaces where students are not afraid to question, to go deeper into ideas, and to critically analyze the vast amounts of information available today. This means equipping them with the tools to discern, reinterpret, and eventually produce their own media, moving beyond mere consumption. Ultimately, while learning is about questioning, teaching is about speaking with authority—not in an authoritarian sense, but by substantiating ideas with evidence and leading by example. This includes emphasizing the fundamentals of language, such as grammar and the nuances of pronunciation, not as rigid rules, but as essential tools for students to convey their messages lucidly and express their lives through language, regardless of proficiency or accent.

The conviction that languages are always real because people use them drives my teaching, and this validation informs all classroom activities. I encourage students to pour their lives into their work, using language and literacy as extensions of their identity. I prioritize integrating critical, multimodal, and digital literacies into the curriculum, preparing future educators to critically analyze and design innovative language teaching practices. This includes leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and gaming, viewing them not just as tools, but as powerful sites for fostering new literacies and engaging with language learning as a means for social justice and advocacy.​

Culturally sustaining pedagogies deeply inform my mentorship and teaching practices, often drawing insights from experiences and scholarship rooted in the Global South. I believe in honoring and building upon students' diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, creating inclusive and relevant learning environments. I aim to prepare teachers who are sensitive to context and capable of understanding and advocating for the diverse needs of learners in an interconnected world.

I stand firm in my belief that "teaching without passion makes as much sense as eating a deep-fried Oreo for its nutritional value." I approach every class with energy and unwavering care, viewing myself as a lifelong learner who models transparency, humility, and continuous self-reflection. I am honest with my students about both my successes and failures, inviting their scrutiny and actively using their feedback to refine my classes; no course is ever taught the same way twice. I believe my authority stems not just from what I know, but from this genuine passion and profound caring for every single one of my students, fostering an environment where collaboration, growth, and trust flourish.

Ultimately, my goal is to cultivate reflective practitioners capable of bridging theoretical knowledge with effective, human-centered pedagogical praxis. Through guiding dissertations, theses, and practical projects, I strive to prepare the next generation of researchers and educators to not only generate knowledge but also to engage in meaningful, real-world transformations. By helping them become more critical, inquisitive, and compassionate, and by empowering them to use their languages to make a difference in the world, I hope to contribute to building a better society.