My name is Dr. Sarah B, and I am a professor of Geology. I graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a minor in Math. I went on to complete my doctorate in Geology, with a focus on igneous and experimental petrology. For non-geologists, that means I am a volcano lady! I study volcanoes that have previously erupted to understand how they form, their compositions, and how fast minerals can grow in that magma. I have experience teaching introductory...
My name is Dr. Sarah B, and I am a professor of Geology. I graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a minor in Math. I went on to complete my doctorate in Geology, with a focus on igneous and experimental petrology. For non-geologists, that means I am a volcano lady! I study volcanoes that have previously erupted to understand how they form, their compositions, and how fast minerals can grow in that magma. I have experience teaching introductory geology, geography, environmental science, mineralogy, petrology, volcanology, natural disasters, structural geology, geochemistry, and scientific writing. As an educator I am committed to teaching geoscience courses that inspire students to ask questions about the natural world around them and illustrate the numerous ways in which geology, chemistry, biology, and physical systems interact on a global scale. I am committed to empowering young students to be confident, informed, and fearless scientists. It is my responsibility to cultivate a supportive environment in which students feel comfortable asking questions, expressing their opinions, and raising concerns. In my own experience, fear and classroom anxiety are major barriers to learning and hinder a student’s ability to successfully interact with course material. Teaching and mentoring with a foundation grounded in empathy and kindness can lead to students who are more confident, engaged, and deeply motivated to learn. I currently teach college-level students at all levels but am also happy to engage with middle and high-school students. I am currently in my third year of teaching as a professor, but also have 4-5 years of teaching experience as a graduate student. I have experience teaching smaller classroom courses (6-20 students), large lecture-style classes (125 students), and some experience teaching online. I spend a good deal of time during the week working with students one-on-one during office hours to break down concepts where they need a little more help!
