Formal Teaching

"The mind is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled." -- Plutarch

Formal Teaching Experiences:

DUKE UNIVERSITY

Lecturer in Environmental Science and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment
Forest Measurements
Upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level course emphasizing forest measurement at the individual tree, stand, and landscape scales. Fall 2012 to present.

 Dendrology
Upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level course emphasizing tree identification, tree biology, and landscape history. Fall 2017 to present.

Wildlife Survey students
searching for Spring Peepers
at Sandy Creek Park,
Feb. 24, 2014
Wildlife Surveys
Graduate-level course in wildlife survey techniques, including bird, herpetofauna, and mammal surveys. Spring 2014.

Student blog posts about Wildlife Surveys:


Professional Writing (DEL-MEM)
Environmental professional writing for the Duke Environmental Leadership Program. Fall 2013 to present.

 Environmental Education & Interpretation
Upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level service-learning course in Environmental Education. Students successfully completing the course become Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation. The course also meets the requirements for the the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Critiera I workshop "Methods of Teaching Environmental Education." Fall 2015 to present.

 Professional Communications & Writing a Master's Project
A graduate-level coursed aimed at developing the professional skills needed for success in environmental fields. Topics include presentation skills, developing Powerpoints and posters, and writing in a variety of genres. Fall 2016 to present.

 Contemporary Environmental Issues (DEL-MEM)
Writing-intensive, reflective course covering 12 contemporary environmental issues, including climate change, alternative agriculture, and pharmaceutical contamination of drinking water. Spring 2014, (Spring 2016).

 Classic Environmental Literature (DEL-MEM)
Writing-intensive reflective course on six classic works of environmental literature. Spring 2013, (Spring 2015).

 Into the Woods
Undergraduate-level seminar emphasizing natural history and field ecology. Spring 2013-14.

 Fundamentals of Environmental Education
Upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level service-learning course in Environmental Education. Course meets the requirements for the the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Critiera I workshop "Methods of Teaching Environmental Education." Fall 2011, Fall 2012, (Fall 2014).

 Lecturing Fellow, Thompson Writing Program
European Environmentalism
Research-based, collaborative learning, writing-intensive undergraduate course. Students conduct survey research and write professional journal articles. Fall 2012, Spring 2013

 From Woods to Words: Surveying Nature Center Materials Across the United States
Service-learning, writing-focused, undergraduate-level course in environmental education. Students engage in hands-on research and create environmental education materials for the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Spring 2012.

 Endangered Ecosystems of the Southeastern United States
Writing-focused, undergraduate-level course in ecology. Fall 2011.

Instructor, Nicholas School of the Environment
Food and Energy
Service-learning designated course that emphasizes qualitative research methods and collaborative learning. Spring 2013.

 Classic Environmental Literature (DEL-MEM)
Writing-intensive reflective course on six classic works of environmental literature. Spring 2013.

 Professional Writing (DEL-MEM)
Environmental professional writing for the Duke Environmental Leadership Program. Fall 2011, Fall 2012.

 Fundamentals of Environmental Education
Upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level service-learning course in Environmental Education. Course meets the requirements for the the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Critiera I workshop "Methods of Teaching Environmental Education." Fall 2011, Fall 2012.
Landscape Ecology
Writing-intensive, graduate-level course in Landscape Ecology. Fall 2009.

Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology and Nicholas School of the Environment
Principles of Biology, Animal Physiology, Environmental Science and Policy, Ecosystem Management, Landscape Ecology and Multivariate Statistics
Presented lectures, led seminars and laboratory exercises. Developed seminar and lab materials. Provided technical writing assistance. Reviewed and edited policy memos, research proposals, and laboratory write-ups. 2003-2008

NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Instructor, Native Plant Studies Certificate Program
Plant Ecology
Developed course materials for an adult education course in Plant Ecology. Course included lecture and field activities. 2014-present.

 Instructor, Native Plant Studies Certificate Program
Soil Ecology
Developed course materials for an adult education course in Soil Ecology. Course included lecture, lab activities, and field activities. 2011-present.

Instructor, Native Plant Studies Certificate Program
Piedmont Savanna Ecology
Researched and developed course materials for an adult education course in the ecology of Piedmont savannas and grasslands. Course included lecture, in-class activities, and fieldtrip. 2010-present.


Student Testimonials:
"I appreciate what you have done to make me write more, write better, and to write more happily. It is the kind of opportunity that I've sought for a long time. I didn't think for a minute that I would find it in the program. Yet, I've written more volume and a greater variety in the last semester than ever before." - DEL-MEM Student, Contemporary Environment Issues, Spring 2014.

"I love your class -- stretches my mind and also develops my skills. Thank you!" - Judith L., DEL-MEM Student, Contemporary Environmental Issues, Spring 2014.

"Thanks you for the teaching the class in soil ecology.  I am deeply impressed with your scope of knowledge and depth of information.  I enjoyed your class very much--your teaching style is very approachable and relaxed.  Even though much of the content was new to me, you made it accessible.  I truly appreciate your incredible organization of the material, professional manner and accessible teaching methods." -- Native Plant Studies Certificate Student, North Carolina Botanical Garden, May 2011

“Nicolette was a teaching assistant for two classes I took last year at Duke University. Both classes were technical classes, with content that was difficult to grasp. What impressed me about Nicolette was her ability to help students (myself included) grasp understanding of the material. She is a patient teacher, and is able to teach difficult material with clarity. Above all, her passion for ecology and for teaching is evident when she works with students, a trait that I feel separates Nicolette from other teaching assistants I have worked with in the past.” -- Kylan Frye , Graduate Student , Duke University, Sep. 2008

“[Nicki] has a genuine talent for teaching, and will make an excellent professor down the road. And from what I’ve heard from other students who have had a good number of TA’s in the past, everyone agrees that she is head and shoulders above the rest.” -- Anonymous, Graduate Student, Duke University, Dec. 2003

“I felt that [Nicki] cared about our understanding of the material and how we were doing in the class more than any other TA I’ve had a Duke.”-- Anonymous, Undergraduate Student, Duke University, Dec. 2003

“Nicki was the best TA I’ve had throughout my time her at Duke.”
-- Anonymous, Undergraduate Student, Duke University, Dec. 2003
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