Teaching Philosophy and Personal Values
I care deeply about fairness, learning, and giving students what I didn’t always have: a sense that their questions mattered, their context was valid, and their goals were within reach.
I believe that science is for everyone. I value high classroom standards matched with educational support; a class culture that values inquiry, adaptability, and honesty; using feedback, humor, and storytelling to create lasting science understanding.
I’m driven to contribute meaningfully to science and education. I have an insatiable drive to find solutions, which I aim to channel into research and my career, particularly addressing the challenges humans face in navigating fast-changing career fields.
I believe I should be caring, honest, humorous, and continue to learn so that I may be innovative, inspirational, competent, and ever evolving for as long as I am able.
My purpose is to contribute meaningfully to the world through caring relationships, continuous learning, and positive, lasting achievements.
My Advice To Students
I’m deeply invested in student learning and believe that everyone deserves access to education that is supportive and meaningful. Learning—especially in a fast-paced courses—can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Growth usually does.
You might get frustrated, stuck, or unsure, and that’s perfectly okay. In fact, that’s part of the learning process. Don’t give up, stay curious, stay engaged, and meet the material with effort and honesty. You don’t have to love science—just be willing to engage, stay curious, and give yourself a fair chance.
Your instructors are here to support you, but you are the one doing the learning, and I believe you can do it.
Education continues beyond college—through questions, experiences, and the ways you choose to respond to the world. I hope your journey leaves you more curious, more confident, and more capable than when you began.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
— Carl Sagan
Korey Byers 