Teaching

Since the Fall of 2015 I've had the pleasure of introducing computer science in a rigorous, compelling fashion to over 8,000 undergraduates.

My first few years of teaching have emphasized iterating on approaches, techniques, projects, and conceptual emphasis semester-over-semester. The rigor of COMP110 Introduction to Programming, my primary course of record, has grown significantly since 2015 thanks to pedagogical improvements and the scaling of both my Undergraduate Teaching Assistant team and innovative educational technologies.

A driving goal in my work is improving the representation, opportunities, and successes of marginalized and underrepresented groups in computer science.

Courses

COMP110 - Introduction to Programming

SemesterLanguageNotes
Spring 2021PythonIntroduction of readings and essays on Responsible Computing, ethics, and algorithmic bias. (Remote)
Fall 2020PythonScale-out of Python course redesign with blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. (Remote)
Summer 2020PythonSmall-scale, remote pilot of course redesign with modern Python's static type annotations. (Remote)
Spring 2020TypeScriptTransition to remote instruction halfway through semester due to COVID-19.
Fall 2019TypeScriptRefinement of course with highest emphasis on frequent assessment to date.
Spring 2019TypeScriptIntroduction of student produced Environment Diagrams to model execution of a program in memory.
Fall 2018TypeScriptTransition to flipped class with short videos and frequent quizzing.
Spring 2018TypeScriptRecursion first, imperative second curriculum in homage to Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs.
Fall 2017TypeScriptTransition to a language that: 1. has plain-old functions as values, 2. runs in the browser, while retaining 3. strong type checking. Enables smoother ramp up, sharing of projects on the web, and the ability to introduce functional-style programming and higher-order functions.
Spring 2017JavaRecognition of math advantage gap (report coming) leads to a return to imperative early, objects later curriculum. Fist HACK110-athon.
Fall 2016JavaJavaFX GUIs. Enrollment grows to over 800 enrolled supported by 50 UTAs.
Spring 2016JavaTransition to Objects Early and only Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs)
Fall 2015JavaInherited Objects Late Curriculum

COMP211 - Systems Fundamentals

SemesterLanguageNotes
Fall 2020C, BashThird iteration of pilot course, taught fully remotely with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Spring 2020CSecond iteration of pilot course for new introductory sequence increases emphasis on systems concepts (representation, processes, memory management) and tools for software engineering, while decreasing emphasis on language theory.
Spring 2019Rust, CDesigned and piloted new course to introduce systems programming in Rust in the context of Little Languages, such as bash, grep, vim, dot, and so on. Projects focus on implementation of little language processors, such as dc, bc, grep, and others.

COMP290 - Tools for Computer Science

SemesterNotes
Spring 2020Final offering of pilot course as this course's content is folded into the new COMP211 - Systems Fundamentals course.
Fall 2019Pilot 1-hour course for majors to introduce fundamental tools: shell, vim, make, git, and so on.

COMP426 - Modern Web Development

SemesterLanguageNotes
Summer 2019JavaScriptLeading a group of students on a study abroad course in Copenhagen this summer!

COMP101 - Introduction to Computing

SemesterLanguageNotes
Fall 2018TypeScriptQuiz model replaces midterms, 6x paper quizzes.
Spring 2018TypeScriptCS0.5 slowed pace, increased repetition to improve outcomes of students interested in programming who have a disadvantaged Math background.

COMP290 - CS Ed Research Seminar

SemesterNotes
Fall 2018Thanks to a grant for Research-Related Skills course development through UNC's Quality Enhancement Plan, I led a small undergraduate seminar course on the Best Papers of ACM CS Education Symposiums (SIGCSE, ICER, ITiCSE) since 2008.

Invited Talks

YearVenueSubject
2019Chancellor's Science Scholars Summer Bridge ProgramIntroduction to Programming Workshop
2019COMP915 Graduate Course on Teaching at the University LevelTeaching Large Enrollment Courses
2018Center for Faculty Excellence Teaching ShowcaseLarge Enrollment Student Support "Patient Chart" Database
2018Chancellor's Science Scholars Summer Bridge ProgramIntroduction to Programming Workshop
2018Microsoft Developer DivisionReflections on Introducing Programming with TypeScript in a CS1 Course
2018COMP915 Graduate Course on Teaching at the University LevelTeaching Large Enrollment Courses
2017Center for Faculty Excellence Teaching ShowcaseWorking with Undergraduate Learning Assistants
2017Chancellor's Science Scholars Summer Bridge ProgramIntroduction to Programming Workshop
2017COMP915 Graduate Course on Teaching at the University LevelTeaching Large Enrollment Courses
2017UNC Chiron Award TalkLiving the Dream: On Following Passions Professionally

Service

YearsTitle
2020-PresentUNC Study Abroad Advisory Board
2019-PresentDirector of CS Learning Assistant Program - Oversee hiring of over 150 learning assistants each semester.
2016-PresentCS Undergraduate Curriculum and Planning Committee
Fall 2020School of Data Science Phase II Pre-implementation Committee
2017-2021Carolina Scholars Pod Mentor
2019-2020Director of CS Learning Lab - Tutoring Center for Introductory Sequence Courses.
2017-2018University Working Group for Quantitative Reasoning

Grants

YearTitleDescriptionAmount
2021-2022Chapman Summer FellowshipModularization of COMP110 to include "Side Quests" with domain-specific content.$30,000
2018-2019Research Related Skills Course DevelopmentSupported the development of a COMP290 Seminar on Computer Science Education Research for Undergraduates$3,000
2016-2017Finish Line - Large Course Redesign GrantCourse redesign focused on improving outcomes for first-generation college students (FGCS).$5,000

Professional Development

DateFocus
2018-2019Faculty Learning Community on Undergraduate Research
2019Unconscious Bias Training Module
2018UC Berkeley's Data Science Workshop on Undergraduate Data Science Pedagogy & Practice
2018Computer Science Education Conference (SIGCSE)
2016-2017Faculty Learning Community on Course Redesigns
2015UNC Instructional Innovation - Diversity & Inclusion Workshop

In the News

Academic YearArticlePublication
2020-2021Eight months of a Virtual UNCDaily Tar Heel
2019-2020Bigger classes and active learningDaily Tar Heel
2018-2019Welcome to "Compder Scifflin" - better known as COMP110Daily Tar Heel
2017-2018UNC Comp Sci department works to close gender gapDaily Tar Heel
2016-2017How a computer science professor went from 0 to 1,000 in about a yearDaily Tar Heel
2015-2016Computer Science class gets modern twistDaily Tar Heel

Teaching Awards & Recognition

Academic YearTitleScopeDescriptionAmount
2020-2021Chapman Family Teaching AwardUniversityHighest teaching award at UNC-Chapel Hill, won in first year of eligibility.$30,000
2017-2018Chair's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate TeachingComputer Science DepartmentSelected by department chair in recognition of teaching performance and outcomes.$5,000
2017-2018Johnston Teaching Award RedactedUniversityAwarded and later redacted when awarding committee realized I had not yet met the requirement of 5 years teaching.Condolence Flowers ($5,000 redacted)
2016-2017Chancellor's Teaching AwardUniversityThe Student Undergraduate Teaching Award. Student nominated and selected.$5,000
2016-2017UNC Chiron WinnerUniversityStudent Nominated Teaching Award and End-of-Year Lecture.$500
2015-2016Undergraduate Faculty AwardComputer Science DepartmentStudent nominated & selected teaching award.$500