Neely Heidorn, MS
Doctoral Candidate
Department of Animal & Dairy Science
nheidorn@uga.edu

California Polytechnic University Pomona- M.S. Animal Science; Equine Reproduction

University of Georgia- Ph.D Candidate, Animal & Dairy Science; Reproductive Endocrinology

Research Interests: The role of RF-amide in the HPG axis of prepubertal pigs

Teaching Philosophy

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough we must do. – Goethe

Dr. Melinda Burrill, a professor of animal genetics, walked into a small barn classroom on a hot southern California afternoon full of students who dreaded the mere thought of genetics. To my utter delight she transformed my attitude for learning with her enthusiasm and knowledge. I will always be grateful for the lessons I learned that summer, her attitude and inspiration is what has shaped my love of teaching. Few people are great teachers; I have yet to find someone that can rival Dr. Burrill’s level of enthusiasm and one day I hope to belong to the elite group of educators that make a lifelong decision to not only teach well but to be a source of inspiration.

My teaching philosophy is due largely in part to my experiences. I “learn by doing.” The ability to actually practice the skills that are necessary for animal management has afforded me a greater understanding of the essential techniques. Knowing that all students learn differently and have different experiences, I hope to motive my students to learn even the most difficult subject matter through my own enthusiasm and by providing multiple opportunities for them to become active learners. I also understand that students are not a “blank slate,” a major goal of my teaching is to be able to utilize their experiences mixed in with a little humor and wit to keep their attention. I believe that sometimes the best way to learn is by actually sharing the knowledge you have, so by encouraging my students to share experiences and knowledge I hope to maintain an engaged and interactive classroom.

I believe that you are personally responsible for your own education. I require my students to participate, not to just memorize and regurgitate the right answer. It is essential that students learn how to question themselves and the information that is being provided. Therefore it is my responsibility to present the most current and accurate information in interesting and engaging ways. Students learn and retain more information if they take ownership of the learning process and providing hands on experience is vital for knowledge retention and is a large component in creating confidence.

Thomas Jefferson stated, "Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands." In sharing my knowledge and experiences in the field of Animal & Dairy Sciences, I hope to provide students an opportunity to learn from my mistakes and from my successes. Teaching is not about having your students remember every golden pearl of wisdom that you graciously bestowed upon them, it is more important that they become driven by things that they don’t know. By constantly striving to encourage natural curiosity I hope to cultivate an insatiable yearning for knowledge as well as provide students the tools to continue lifelong learning.