Hi! My name is Jess, and I’m a Master’s student jointly in the Department of Botany with Dr. Naomi Fast and in Curriculum & Pedagogy with Dr. Samia Khan. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where I studied Cell & Molecular Biology and Bioethics. During that time, I worked closely with the Transitional Year Programme (TYP), an access initiative that supports adults who might not otherwise gain admission to university. My role as a TA and peer mentor focused on helping students interested in STEM prepare for and navigate their transition into higher education.
My current research builds on that experience as I’m exploring how TYP students with an interest in STEM move through the program and what influences their decision to continue into a STEM degree. I take an asset-based approach, which means I focus on the strengths, experiences, and knowledge that students bring with them, rather than the skills they may be perceived as lacking. I’m interested in how postsecondary STEM curricula can better recognize and build on these assets to foster belonging and success.
So far, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to be a Teaching Assistant for BIOL 200 this fall term and am looking forward to joining the BIOL 180 teaching team next semester!
What do you most enjoy about being a TA?
There are so many things I love about being a TA so it’s hard to choose one! But one of my favourites is witnessing the moment when students connect a concept we’ve discussed in class to something in the real world. Seeing their excitement and curiosity grow in that moment is incredibly rewarding and often leads to some of the most interesting conversations afterwards. Those chats remind me of why I love both biology and teaching.
What has been an interesting outcome of your TA experience?
When I started my undergraduate degree, I never imagined myself teaching. But once I had the opportunity to TA, it quickly became one of the biggest motivators that carried me through my undergrad. During times when coursework felt overwhelming, teaching gave me energy and purpose. Getting to know my students, watching them engage deeply with the material, and seeing their confidence grow reminded me why I enjoyed learning in the first place. By the time I graduated, I realized I didn’t just love biology but that I loved teaching, too.
How has your unique background influenced your TA experience?
My research centers on asset-based frameworks, and I try to bring that same perspective into my teaching. It shapes how I approach students, not just in terms of what they know academically, but as whole individuals with diverse life experiences and skills. I encourage students to see how what they’ve learned outside of academia can be valuable in the classroom and in science. I find this mindset helps to build a more inclusive and empowering learning environment.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe education is a collaborative and holistic process where both students and teachers act as learners. For me, teaching isn’t about transferring information, it’s about creating space for dialogue, exploration, and shared discovery. I aim to help students develop the tools and skills necessary to critically engage with information, construct meaning, and discover new perspectives.
When students feel that their perspectives are respected and that their contributions matter, they often open up in incredible ways. Some of the most inspiring moments I’ve had as a TA come from hearing students interpret a concept in ways I’ve never considered before, it’s a reminder that learning is always reciprocal.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love hiking! I’ve also recently gotten into foraging while I hike, it’s been amazing to learn about edible and medicinal plants and fungi along the trails. One of my favourite things about living in Vancouver is being able to drive half an hour and find myself hiking up a mountain (definitely not something I could do back home in Ontario!)
What is a fun fact about you that people may not know?
My husband and I are really into ballroom dancing! We started taking lessons before our wedding and completely fell in love with it. Now we go twice a week and find it’s such a fun and creative way to move, learn, and unwind together.