Philosophy

I approach teaching as a dynamic, relational practice rooted in creativity, care, and community. My pedagogy centers culturally relevant, student-led learning that fosters critical thinking, personal growth, and civic engagement. Drawing from my experience teaching ethnic, gender, and media studies, I design accessible, hands-on assignments—such as community media maps, zinemaking, and collaborative partnerships—that empower students to connect course content with their lived experiences and future aspirations.

Whether co-creating short videos or offering structured peer feedback, I treat the classroom as a collaborative space where students critically examine how media shapes identity, representation, and power. By incorporating community voices and digital tools, I aim to build inclusive, justice-oriented learning environments that not only sharpen academic skills but also inspire meaningful social engagement. In recognition of this approach, I was honored with a student-nominated Outstanding Faculty Award from Cal Poly Pomona Intercollegiate Athletics in 2018.

Courses taught

Media and Cinema Studies 101

Gender, Ethnicity and Film: Chicanx Cinema

Gender, Ethnicity and Film: Middle Eastern and North African Cinema

Workshops (ongoing)

Archival Remixing – Art making from archival collections and found materials to reimagine histories, reclaim erased narratives, and forge new connections between memory, identity, and community.

Altar Candle Stickers – Participants create stickers from photos of loved ones to decorate Day of the Dead altar candles to honor their memory through a tactile, personalized ritual that bridges digital tools with traditional cultural practices.

Audiovisual Digital Preservation – Participants gain experience in digital preservation of 8mm/Super 8 films, VHS, and camcorder tapes using consumer-grade tools aims to enhance access to archiving, supporting individuals and communities in preserving their audiovisual histories on their own terms.

Home Movie Remezcla – Participants create short videos featuring home movies accompanied by self-recorded testimonios to reclaim personal and familial narratives, activate memory, and assert authorship over their own archival records.

Memory Sharing Circles – Participants bring an object or share a story from their personal archives to spark conversation, reflect on memory and identity, and explore the cultural significance of everyday preservation practices.