Teaching Philosophy
I believe teaching is a radical act of care–a way to cultivate empathy and connection across differences. My teaching philosophy is homegrown, shaped by the Black women and educators who taught me that environment is an essential part of learning. Teaching is not limited to the classroom; it can happen at the kitchen table, in grandma’s garden, or in your cousin’s salon chair. When carefully curated, the classroom too can become such a space of comfort and reciprocity.
I often describe my approach to students as a “cookout.” At a cookout, everyone brings a dish in which they have expertise to share, some offerings are big, some small, but together they make a communal meal. On the first day of class, I invite students to think of our semester in this way: as reciprocal, where each person’s expertise and contribution matters and where learning is built communally.
In my students words:
"Alexa not only used our discussion section for educational purposes, but they also made sure we were building a community with our fellow classmates. I really appreciate the time that Alexa took to give pep talks, slow down course material to talk about life and current events, and encourage us as students and people. Alexa gave us many opportunities to dive into the material of the class with each other as well as thoughtfully prepare for midterms and quizzes. Overall, Alexa provided a perfect balance of academic rigor and community bonding and conversation."
"Alexa has been, without question, one of the most outstanding GSIs I’ve had during my four years at Berkeley—if not the best. What sets her apart is not just her deep knowledge of the material, but her genuine care for her students’ success and well–being. She consistently goes above and beyond to make sure we feel confident and supported, both in preparing for class and navigating the challenges of exams."
"Instructor has incredible command of the subject and ability to articulate its complexity in a digestible way."
"Alexa Kurmanova is great! I love them! They're super understanding and kind, and they make concepts easier to digest through discussion and deconstruction of themes."