In 1989 I found myself in the position of teaching assistant at the University of Florida Architecture Department, and it was the first time that I became aware of how my actions had an impact on the students around me. Until then I had always tried to emulate others, borrowing opinions, positions, beliefs, adapting to other people’s ideas, playing chameleon. Suddenly I was a role model.

It took me another three years to grow into the role of an adjunct professor during my first year at Iowa State University in 1991/1992. By then I realized that I was not quite ready to continue teaching without more training, so I applied to the Ph.D. program at Princeton University where I spend much time for the next two-and-a-half years reading and writing under the tutelage of my doctor father Georges Teyssot.

In 1995, after taking the generals exam at Princeton, I returned to Iowa State University to begin a full-time teaching career (nine-month appointment). Since then I have taught architecture studios, computer application courses, history/theory/practice seminars (for example on music & architecture, and sensory design) at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Over the years I have also worked with numerous independent students. Most recently these courses have lead to research projects involving biobased materials and design (see Bob Gassman’s blog at http://bgassman.wordpress.com/), as well as work on improving energy efficiency through passive solar strategies.

....