My teaching philosophy centers on making economics engaging, accessible, and relevant beyond the classroom. Drawing on teaching experiences in the United States and Türkiye, I aim to help students develop a lasting understanding of economic concepts, apply them to real-world situations, and think critically and independently. I believe students are more likely to engage with a subject when they can see its connection to their own lives and to the world around them.

For this reason, I place particular emphasis on connecting economic theory to current events, international examples, and different economic contexts. For example, when teaching inflation and purchasing power, I use a 50-trillion Zimbabwean dollar banknote and reveal information gradually to show students why a single number, whether a banknote denomination or a person's salary, is not enough to draw a meaningful economic conclusion without additional context. I use examples like this not only to make abstract concepts more intuitive, but also to broaden students’ perspectives and encourage discussion. At the same time, I try to create a classroom environment that is approachable and engaging without sacrificing analytical rigor.

Technology and course design also play an important role in my teaching. I use a tablet, carefully designed lecture slides, annotated notes, and active problem solving to help students focus on understanding the reasoning behind economic models rather than simply memorizing results. Before exams, I use mock exams and guided problem-solving sessions to help students identify areas that need improvement and build confidence in applying what they have learned. Student feedback frequently identifies these materials, along with step-by-step explanations, as particularly helpful.

I regularly revise my courses based on student feedback and my own classroom experience, and I adapt assessment methods to the objectives of each course. My teaching evaluations have consistently been strong; for instance, in Spring 2025, students rated my overall teaching methods 4.8 out of 5, compared with averages of 4.4 for the Economics Department, 4.3 for the college, and 4.4 for Texas Tech University. More broadly, I view teaching and research as mutually reinforcing. Teaching strengthens my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, while research enriches the questions, examples, and perspectives I bring into the classroom. Becoming a better teacher is therefore an important part of my continued development as a scholar.