Because I have studied in both India and the US, my teaching philosophy is an amalgam. My Indian professors taught me to read the text very closely, go above and beyond what was assigned for homework, and see the text as a component of a broader conversation. From my American professors, I learned to trust my voice and vision, be unafraid to experiment, and explore both inside and outside the classroom, whether through films, interviews, or field trips.
Irrespective of the class and where I am teaching it—whether at a writing conference, museum or a library, in a private workshop or at my university—I hope students can see my curiosity, discipline, and humor at play. My approach is multi-disciplinary because the world is full of interesting people and disciplines, because I am interested in a variety of subjects, and because there is no end to learning.
In recent times, some of the courses I have had most fun teaching include Reading & Writing Horror, Food Writing, Short Stories from Here & There, and Issues of Diversity in Contemporary Publishing.
Image courtesy: Aryan Singh via Unsplash