Meet the March 2025 Graduate Student Spotlight! Rebecca Chan-Chao is studying Analytical Chemistry as a Ph.D. candidate in the department of Chemistry.
What course(s) do you or have you taught at URI?
I currently teach Organic Chemistry Lab, but I have also taught General Chemistry II Lab.
What are the three qualities that you think make for a great teacher?
Considering lab is so hands-on, I find that a lot of students prefer to see the science which helps in connecting their understanding to concepts learned in lecture. As such, I try to provide an open and welcoming space so that students feel free to ask questions. I think a great teacher has to be understanding— to understand that every student is different and thus will learn differently. They also have to communicate well. Learning and teaching go hand-in-hand which means there has to be effort put in from both sides. As an instructor, you can’t control what students do, but you can do your best to communicate and therefore show students what your expectations are. I think teachers should also care. We are all many things, students and teachers are just part of our identities.
What do you hope students look back on in ten years and say about your classes?
When my students look back, I want them to remember feeling willing to learn— if not excited to learn. I would like them to recall the concepts, but also a sense of belonging.
What is your proudest teaching moment? What is a difficult moment that you learned from in the classroom? What did you learn?
My proudest and difficult memories are intertwined, as I am proudest of my adaptability in the classroom/lab. There have been experiments that don’t work, or equipment that fails, or interactions that were not the best. Specifically, I remember a time when everyone was tired and the lab was running too long. It was my first semester teaching Organic Chemistry. As TAs, we had very little training, and a lot of miscommunication. There were many issues that occurred during the time span, like solvents not boiling, equipment that didn’t work, etc. I was overwhelmed and didn’t want to fail my students. But, I was proud that we got through it together. I learned that as a teacher, we cannot plan for everything. Students will respond better to honesty than lies about what I knew. At that time, I just stressed the idea that experiments sometimes fail— no matter what you do or how hard you try.
How do you envision incorporating teaching into your future career?
In the future, I would love to teach a general chemistry or organic chemistry in a context that makes students interested. I want to break the “scary” barrier of chemistry and make a safe, fun environment to help learning.
How do you relax after a long day of teaching?
I live in CT, so I take my long drive and listen to music, jamming on my way home. Then, I cuddle with my two cats and dog. In general, I like baking to relieve stress and then I bring the food in to the Chemistry department to share.
What is your favorite place to visit in Rhode Island? Why?
My favorite place in RI is Westerly— specifically the park, the Gelateria, and Westerly Gifts. The whole town is walkable, but those are the three places that I always try to visit when I’m in the area. It was the first place I moved as a new graduate student so it’ll always hold a special place in my heart.