“I cannot emphasize this enough, Zach stands out as the best TA (of many) I have ever had in my 4 years at UVA. His approach to discussion sections was extremely effective. Rather than following the common format of lecture followed by small group discussion, he skillfully integrated concept explanations with full–class discussions *throughout* the session. This structure kept students engaged and enhanced our understanding of the material. Zach's deep understanding extended beyond the core concepts, allowing him to provide great explanations and add to our thoughts and questions to create meaningful discussions. His teaching effectiveness even exceeded that of many professors I've had…His ability to facilitate learning and engage students made him not just the most effective TA I've encountered, but one of the most impactful instructors in my academic experience at UVA.” – Fall 2024, Introduction to International Relations
“Zach provided numerous opportunities for participation in discussions. And every time, he encouraged students to share their perspectives and present arguments about the topic. For every discussion, numerous perspectives (even some conflicting ones) were shared. However, Zach never criticized anyone’s opinions and let everyone freely speak their mind. He also encouraged his students to let everyone share their thoughts without judgment.” – Fall 2024, Introduction to International Relations