My approach to teaching and mentoring is informed by my experiences as a public health scientist (US EPA) and practitioner (Baltimore City Health Department) and is grounded in the belief that learning is most effective when it combines experiential, collaborative problem-solving activities with academic study and opportunity for reflection. I strive to create a classroom environment where students are encouraged to take risks speaking, sharing and defending positions supported by scientific evidence. These beliefs are aligned with current research about the nature of learning and with the theory of progressive education.