Jared Locklear

Background

About Jared Locklear

Short Teaching Philosophy: To be a good teacher you must be many things: fascinated with the subjects you teach, committed to generating enthusiasm and interest in others, and respectful of your students. Variety in teaching methodology is very important, not only because students have different learning styles but also because it makes the learning environment more stimulating. At the onset of a course, expectations should be clearly communicated. It should be clear what the students can expect from you and the course, as well as what you expect from the students. My overall objectives include but not limited to: 1) developing critical thinking and socially stimulated problem solving skills through the use of varied activities including group work and application projects, 2) setting high academic standards while also aiding them in achieving education goals, 3) maintaining an up-to-date classroom experience, 4) and more importantly, most students will not pursue a career in plant biology, but after taking one of my courses hopefully will develop a better understanding and appreciation for the world of plants and the environment. Research Interest: Paleobotany, plant ecology, plant macro evolution, plant morphology, and plant anatomy – historic ecological analysis around the North Carolina coastal plains; focus on Pleistocene data such as the paleoecology, temperature data, and community structure; analysis of evolutionary changes such as environmental affects, adaptive plant characteristics, and shifts/refugia among the major flora; use historic data to plan conservation management and advisement protocols; Palynological analysis during the Pleistocene; evolutionary adaptations to habitat specializations and evolution shifts from climate change