Educational Philosophy
Every student deserves an excellent education. As I have progressed through my career, I have developed skills and tools that allow students to show what they know so I can provide quality feedback. In many cases, students have shown tremendous intellectual and emotional growth. I continue to strive for successes with all students, especially those who are disenchanted with the educational process. Those gains sometimes prove hard won, but those are the most joyous of all!
About me
I have been a teacher for 13 years. I taught for two years (2004-2006) at Hirsch Metro High School on Chicago's south side, for five years (2006-2011) at Lake View High School on Chicago's north side, and for one year (2011-2012) at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School in Indianapolis. Currently, I am in my fifth year (2012-present) at Amundsen High School in Chicago's Bowmanville neighborhood. Go Vikings!
Previously, I studied Molecular and Cancer Biology at Northwestern University where I received my PhD (2006). Prior to that, I attended the University of California, Davis where I received a BS in Biochemistry (1996).
I currently live in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood with my wife, son, and cat. In my copious amount of free time (ha!), I like to spend time with my family, watch TV, read, and think about running.
Please contact me at: dr.alur@gmail.com
Previously, I studied Molecular and Cancer Biology at Northwestern University where I received my PhD (2006). Prior to that, I attended the University of California, Davis where I received a BS in Biochemistry (1996).
I currently live in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood with my wife, son, and cat. In my copious amount of free time (ha!), I like to spend time with my family, watch TV, read, and think about running.
Please contact me at: dr.alur@gmail.com
Current obsessions
I had begun employing elements of flipped learning and flipped mastery in my Chemistry and Biology classes. This year, I am working on introducing elements of gamification to hook scholars into learning in my classroom.
If you are interested to learn more about these ideas, please consider utilizing the following resources:
"Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day" by Bergmann and Sams (2012).*
"Flipped Learning: Gateway to Student Engagement" by Bergmann and Sams (2014).*
"Reality is Broken" by McGonigal, 2011.*
Flipped Learning Ning (Online Discussion board)
* Not an endorsement of Amazon.com. Please shop at your local bookstore or go to your neighborhood library.
If you are interested to learn more about these ideas, please consider utilizing the following resources:
"Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day" by Bergmann and Sams (2012).*
"Flipped Learning: Gateway to Student Engagement" by Bergmann and Sams (2014).*
"Reality is Broken" by McGonigal, 2011.*
Flipped Learning Ning (Online Discussion board)
* Not an endorsement of Amazon.com. Please shop at your local bookstore or go to your neighborhood library.