Hello!  Here I will briefly tell you about my background.  I have been teaching at Cuesta College since 1996 and continue to still feel inspired by my students and the subject of applied psychology.  I hold a Master's of Arts Degree in Psychology, concentrating in the areas of identity development and mental wellness.  I am a Certified Somatic Wellness Facilitator, specializing in a body-mind process used in mental health counseling.  I use this approach in my part-time private practice.

My passion for teaching comes from my sincere commitment to support students in their learning process as they explore the field of Psychology.  My goal is to encourage and support you to learn in a way that makes a sustained, substantial and positive difference in how you understand yourself and people around you.

As we move through the semester, please don't hesitate to make contact with me (phone, email or visit during my office hours).  Feel free to use my first name when addressing me.

Email: bdrechsl@cuesta.edu
805 . 250 . 6551

Phone, Zoom or in-person appointments can be arranged by email.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY & METHODOLOGY

I am looking forward to learning with you. I subscribe to “learner centered pedagogy”, a teaching method that focuses on student-teacher collaboration. My hope is that we will work together to create a successful and meaningful learning experience. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of course content, develop skills and confidence in critical thinking, and complete the course with a greater capacity to live more fully in the world.

Integral to learner-centered pedagogy is active student participation which emphasizes the following:

• taking yourself seriously as learners AND contributors to the course
• engaging with the course activities to the best of your abilities
• seeking support when the road to learning becomes too challenging (as it surely will)
• completing at least 97% of the time

My hope is that you will gain a deeper understanding of course content, develop skills and confidence in critical thinking, and complete the course with a greater capacity to live more fully in the world.   The work of learning is hard and messy.  Please seek my support when you feel that you have lost your way or lost your determination to stick with it. I am more than pleased to support you!