Nathan Frideres
6 Triangle Place, Iowa City, Iowa52246
Cell: (970) 471-0473, Email:
My advising/teaching philosophy starts by creating an environment where all students feel welcome and are able to thrive. I believe it is important that all students feel safe on campus and in their interactions with others. I will strive to create an inclusive environment for all students where they feel free to contribute their ideas for the collective good of the institution and its inhabitants.
Next, I believe high expectations are an integral part of academic success. Setting high expectations for students communicates my belief in them. I will set high, yet realistic, expectations for students so they know I believe they have the ability to be academically successful.
While I feel high academic expectations are important, I also see students as holistic beings. Through my advising/teaching I will demonstrate my belief in developing students holistically. Students have needs that must be met in order to be successful. I recognize the necessity that these needs be met. I will work to communicate effectively with students so I can understand their needs and the challenges they face outside of academics. I will challenge students to work hard in academics and build and maintain the other aspects of their lives that are necessary to be well rounded individuals. I will also support students when they are experiencing difficulties in academics and other aspects of their life. While I feel academics must be a priority in students’ lives, I also will recognize and work with the competing priorities in their lives.
In order to help produce well rounded students I feel it is important students apply their knowledge to practical situations. Application forces students to construct knowledge and create deeper meaning than they could generateexclusively in the classroom. I will encourage students to participate in internships, summer employment, clubs, and extra curricular activities related to and outside of their major. This will give students the diverse experiences and networks that are necessary for the increasingly competitive working world.
Whenever possible I will ask students to reflect upon the connections between their coursework and experiences they have outside of the classroom. I feel reflection is an important part of the learning process and that it builds critical thinking. I want to promote critical thinking in students so they can develop independent thought. This will ensure studentscan make sense of the abundance of information available in this increasingly complicated world.
I will encourage a sense of autonomy in students. They need to understand they control their own actions and influence their own outcomes. Students should be instilled with the skills to assess their situation in life and make intelligent decisions on how to move forward within their specific circumstances.
However, as students gain autonomy it is also essential that they recognize the interdependence necessary in the world around them. I will work to increase student awareness of the ways in which their fate is intertwined with the fate of those around them. In doing this I will promote understanding of the privilege that comes with a college education.
Finally, my advising/teaching will be guided by the work and research of those that have come before me. I will use theory, the Principles of Good Practice, and other relevant literature to inform my work with students. This will ensure I am effectively and efficiently using institutional resources and providing students with a quality experience.