Harish is a TA and lab demonstrator for two fundamental undergraduate courses HLSC 2P07 and HLSC 3P07, Biostatics I and II.

The master’s student in Applied Health Sciences applies his advanced knowledge of biostatistics, specifically a command of SAS, the statistical program used in the course, to clarify concepts for his students.

Alongside his subject knowledge, students praise Harish for his “endless patience, dedication and approachability” and for “constantly looking for new and creative ways to engage and connect with his students.”

Harish has a top-five list of beliefs that inform his teaching philosophy, the first of which is to give students a strong sense of accountability.

“As a student in elementary and high school, I always found that I would be more inspired to finish my homework and excel on assignments because I knew that my teachers held me accountable and had expectations of my work,” he says. “I have adopted this principle in that I make sure I hold each of my students accountable, and let them know that I have expectations of them.”

The other teaching principles on his list include fostering an inclusive personalized learning environment; creating fluidity between concepts; ensuring the majority of learning happens in the classroom; and being available for student help.

Harrish begins his classes with a popular and effective exercise called
“Harish’s 5 Minutes of Fun.” He uses those first few minutes to review concepts from previous labs and lectures, ensuring that students are able to continue to build knowledge class by class.

Testimonials

“I am a direct witness of the way Harish interacts with students. I know that students arrive to his office, both individually and in groups, seeking clarification, mentoring or reassurance.”

“… he inspired me to achieve higher than I initially thought I could. I found myself trying harder in his courses, not only for myself, but also because of Harish. He encourages students to reach their potential and that, I think, is what stands Harish out from any other TA.”

“As Harish’s peer, I have learned a great deal about how to be a more present and effective teacher from watching and listening to his teaching methods. His passion for education is infectious and consistently makes the graduate office environment an exciting one.”

“Harish is able to take concepts and break them down in a variety of ways tailored to each student’s specific learning style. He always made sure that each student grasped each concept before moving on — ensuring no one fell behind.”