Teaching

Learning through Performance, Media, and Cultural Critique

As an educator, I create inclusive learning spaces that promote critical thinking, social-emotional literacy, and analysis of power relations through performance and media-based content. At UCLA, I have designed and taught my own contemporary dance practice course and led sections for general education, introductory arts, and cultural theory courses for non-majors across disciplines and dance department majors. I have also acted as a mentor for undergraduate students in the humanities conducting independent research projects on social movements and their circulations on and offline. In each setting, my teaching combines performance, media, critical race, and decolonial theories with discussion and movement exercises to help students contextualize popular cultural expressions historically, socially, and politically and develop their abilities to communicate empathetically across difference.

Sample Syllabus: The Body in Society (Cultural Theory for Upper Division Undergraduates)

Student Feedback

Dance 1: Global Perspectives on Dance, Fall 2020

“Strengths of Sammy were being able to empathize with the students, engaging the students, thorough explanations, and maintaining a good energy, despite the circumstances. Sammy knew remote would be difficult, especially for first-years, so she always did her best with empathizing with her section group and always, ALWAYS engaged us. Whether it was the little quizzes before the section started or the mood boards, she was so good at making me feel better when I was having a bad day. What I really enjoyed about Sammy was her thorough explanations on EVERYTHING. There were multiple times where I did not understand the prompts but Sammy would give examples and would explain every detail of the prompt and I would understand after section had finished.”

Arts and Architecture 10: Arts Encounters, Winter 2021

“Sammy was so understanding with the students and not afraid to adapt the course to how we learned best as a group. She listened to us and gave us the opportunity to connect. She provided relief from the other courses and consistently showed that she cared for us. I felt comfortable reaching out to Sammy if I ever had questions, concerns, or overwhelmed. She had in-depth knowledge and care for the subject that she was teaching. She knew how to read the students and change her expectations of how we were feeling. She was incredibly supportive.”

Dance 15: Intro to Modern/Postmodern Dance, Spring 2023

“I truly appreciate the care and individual attention Sammy gave to each person in this class, I will not forget the impact she made on me and the way her class opened up so much more than just dancing to me. I hope other students at UCLA get the chance to experience this, they’d be lucky to. Sammy leads with such optimism, kindness, and inspiration that this class is easily one of my favorites I’ve ever taken. She encouraged us to be better humans! I will be encouraging everyone I know to lookout for her name on future class registrations.”

Interested in guest lectures or workshops?

My curricula is adaptable to a variety of educational settings–including community organizations, private studios, undergraduate, and graduate classes at universities–and can be tailored to effectively pair with your existing offerings in each locale.

Contact Me