Instructor Introduction
Emily L. Godin is a dedicated and versatile educator with a strong foundation in both geology and education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science Education, accompanied by a Secondary Earth Science Education certification from the Arizona Department of Education since 2023. Additionally, she holds a secondary English immersion certification, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible learning environments.
Emily began her teaching career at the secondary level as a high school Earth Science teacher at Flagstaff High School in 2023. She skillfully managed four sections of Earth Science, each comprising 35 diverse learners, including approximately 35% with IEP/504 accommodations. She developed a comprehensive curriculum from scratch, balancing classroom management, innovative lesson planning, and hands-on instruction to engage students and meet their individual needs.
Transitioning into higher education, Emily has served as a Teaching Assistant since August 2024, gaining experience in both in-person and online formats. She has contributed to teaching introductory geology lectures, labs, and online historical geology courses. Her responsibilities include grading, addressing student inquiries, and ensuring a supportive learning environment. Demonstrating her passion for innovative teaching strategies, Emily created a virtual field experience titled Shaping the Surface. This interactive module was implemented in introductory geology lectures and online historical geology labs in November 2024, offering students a cutting-edge tool to deepen their understanding of geologic processes.
While Emily is still in the early stages of her teaching career, she has cultivated a student-centered approach to education, emphasizing creativity, adaptability, and accessibility. Her work reflects her dedication to preparing students for success in understanding and applying Earth sciences at every level of education.
Courses Taught: High School Earth Science, Introductory Geology Lecture (GLG 101) and Lab (GLG 103), Historical Geology Lecture (GLG 102) and Lab (GLG 104).
Areas of Interest
Emily’s primary areas of interest lie at the intersection of geoscience education, curriculum development, and innovative teaching methodologies. She is particularly passionate about designing engaging and accessible educational experiences, such as virtual field trips, that enhance student understanding of Earth processes. Emily is also deeply interested in equitable teaching practices, supporting diverse learner needs, and integrating technology to create dynamic, real-world applications in geology education. Her work reflects a commitment to fostering curiosity and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow’s world through meaningful, place-based learning opportunities.
Professional Development and Affiliations
Emily actively seeks opportunities to grow as an educator through a combination of professional development, research, and community engagement. She co-led the SESE TA Training Workshop in the Fall of 2024, where she helped design a comprehensive training program for teaching assistants, fostering pedagogical excellence and support. Emily regularly attends and presents at conferences, such as the Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects conference, where she has showcased her innovative work in geoscience education and virtual field experiences.
Her commitment to professional growth extends to her active memberships in organizations including the Geological Society of America (GSA), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), and Arizona Geological Society (AGS). These affiliations provide valuable platforms for collaboration and learning from leaders in the field.
Through her research, such as developing the virtual field experience, Shaping the Surface, and engaging with professional networks, Emily continually enhances her ability to create meaningful, innovative, and accessible learning experiences in geoscience education.