I became an adjunct at St. John's University in 2010, which then led to teaching posts at other institutions. In the fall of 2016 I received the department head role at St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn. I was charged with building the hospitality and tourism management program. In all I have taught over 30 different courses at the associate, bachelor's and master's level. Most courses I have created or re-designed. Two years ago I developed a minor for my program and streamlined a 4+1 (HTM eMBA) option. My teaching philosophy is to create a solid foundation of theory, then integrate practical experience with activities, field trips, group projects, and guest speakers. This means not only teaching at the very highest level through the adoption of best practices and fresh perspectives, but to help students achieve their goals in and out of the classroom. I believe in validation more than certification. In order for students to have credibility, I expose them to real life situations where they can interact with those in the industry. This is best done through jobs, internships and shadowing opportunities. Basic life skills are also very important to me. I make it a point to weave in activities that better prepare students for life; time management, credit cards, and writing skills are common topics.