I believe history is alive and all around us. Historical forces shape our sense of self, our expectations of others, our reactions and opinions. As a history instructor, I strive to empower students by asking them to think critically and logically about these forces, to actively engage with the information and ideas that inform their thoughts and feelings each day. I want to be my students’ ally as they fight to form their own opinions and find their own authentic voices. To that end, I strive to optimize my pedagogy by experimenting with new technologies and tools, taking courses in effective college instruction, and participating in peer online course review processes.