Julianna Golas is an Associate Teaching Professor in the department of Human Development & Family Science within the College of Health Science at URI, and the ATL Faculty Spotlight for March 2025.
What course(s) do you teach, or have you taught, at URI?
I’ve taught many courses since starting my teaching career at URI, first as an adjunct and more recently as a teaching professor. The three classes I teach most consistently are Research Methods, Lifespan Development I (focus on birth-adolescence), and The Health and Wellness of the Young Child.
What is your proudest teaching moment of the last year?
What stands out to me isn’t pride, but moments that move me to tears of joy. These come when students linger after class, eager to explore topics further. Recently, I’ve noticed something even more rewarding: students seeking personalized book and research recommendations. After deliberately moving away from traditional textbooks, I’ve incorporated more contemporary books and academic articles into my curriculum. These selections have proven to be the perfect catalyst for sparking genuine enthusiasm and fostering deep discussions. Rather than dwelling on students’ reading habits, I’ve discovered that the more productive approach lies in selecting materials that truly provoke engagement.
Who is a teaching mentor that you have, and what did you learn from them?
My teaching mentor unexpectantly comes from the field of early childhood. Vivian Gussien Paley was a veteran early childhood teacher and researcher. Paley’s careful observation and documentation of young children’s behavior taught me to use observational skills in my college classroom and to be more reflective about my teaching strategies. I buy a new notebook/journal every other year or so, where I intentionally record reflections on my classroom successes and more often the obstacles and failures. The notes reveal patterns that I otherwise would have missed and remind me of places to make changes when I am drafting my upcoming syllabi.
What do you hope students look back on in ten years and say about your class(es)?
I am most concerned about helping students become good consumers of information and enthusiastic learners. My goal is for students to leave my classes with the confidence to explore and master any topic independently. Ten years from now, no matter what new trends emerge in the field, I hope my students will have the skills to be discerning, and demand replication studies.
What is a time when an assignment/activity did not go as planned, and how did you make it a teachable moment? What did you learn about yourself?
Assignments and activities rarely unfold exactly as planned. Through experience, I’ve discovered that the more I planned and orchestrated lessons, the more complicated they became. After years of teaching, I’ve come to understand that the most valuable learning experiences often emerge from mistakes, setbacks, and thoughtful reflection.
I now incorporate reflection regularly into class design and student activities. In one of my courses, rather than providing detailed rubrics or specific instructions for a final project, students receive only one or two core objectives. They enjoy complete autonomy in determining how they’ll demonstrate mastery of these learning goals. For advanced learners, there’s the opportunity to exceed basic expectations by pursuing additional sophisticated learning objectives and documenting their reflective process. Students can oftentimes be intimidated by this approach and it can take some cajoling to get them to take risks without the rubric guardrails.
What I’ve learned is that documenting the educational journey —complete with its inevitable missteps—is far more valuable than evaluating only the completed product. This approach allows students to embrace experimentation, and learn from failures.
How do you relax after a long day of teaching?
Sharing a meal with my family has always been a top priority for me. While balancing work, life, extracurricular activities, and managing a household with four children alongside my husband presents significant challenges. The routine and importance of sharing good food, conversation, and time with the people who bring the most value to my life remains absolutely essential.
Share your favorite place to go in Rhode Island. Why is this your favorite place?
Main Street in Westerly is like comfort food. Perhaps it reminds me of Richmond Hill, Queens where I grew up surrounded by Victorian-era homes. I adore Wilcox Park and the architecture of the buildings on Main Street. I love the little shops especially Christina’s and the Used Book Store, and there is always an assortment of eclectic restaurants within walking distance.
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