I have experiencing teaching the following courses:

• Child Development
• Research Methods
• Biological Psychology
• Infancy (special freshman seminar)

I approach teaching as an opportunity to help students explore their interests and how the world works. I encourage considerable personal responsibility in my classroom, and my students often respond very well. I have consistently received teaching evaluations placing me above the department average (overall course assessment = 4.8 on a 5.0 scale, department mean = 3.92), and received a department commendation for being among the top 5% of instructors as a graduate student. Below are selected student reviews:

“Kelly is one of the best, most caring instructors I have had yet at UNC. Cant wait to take more of her classes in the future.” – Spring 2012, Child Development

“Although this class met at 8am, it was so enjoyable that I did not mind waking up for it! Kelly was very clear in her teaching and class expectations. The lectures, assignments, and readings reinforced one another. While I was challenged, expectations were not impossible. It is evident through her teaching that Kelly is passionate about her area of study.” – Spring 2012, Child Development

“I came into this course dreading the lab and class, as well as thinking that I would not do well in it at all. Turns out I was completely wrong and I am going to attribute that all to Kelly. She explained the material in a very relatable, understandable way, answered many questions from myself as well as from my class mates, worked one-on-one with us when needed and went above and beyond what a normal TA would do. This made me more committed to the material as well as me understanding more in general. Overall, this lab was great!” – Fall 2015, Research Methods

“Kelly Sheppard is one of the most helpful TA’s I have ever had. I did not feel embarrassed to ask for help and she effectively helped me as well as made me feel safe. Her classroom environment is relaxed, but she gets the job done. The content was dry, but her teaching was not. I am going to miss being in her class.” – Fall 2015, Research Methods