Dr. Lynn Sims

Tenure Track Professor

I was born in Connecticut and lived there until my family moved to Orlando where I completed high school at Lake Howell High School. Go Silver Hawks!!

Academic

I attended UCF and earned two Bachelor's degrees (2003): Forensic Biochemistry and Molecular biology and Microbiology. M.S. in Molecular Biology and Microbiology (2011) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (2012)

Teaching Experience

In 2013, I began my journey as a part-time faculty member at the Lake Nona campus of Valencia College, several campuses at Seminole State College, and briefly at the University of Central Florida. I have taught General Biology I, General Biology II, and Microbiology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry. I have now found a home at the West campus at Valencia College teaching students General Biology I and II.

Teaching Philosophy

As an instructor at a learning-centered college, I believe my main goal is to facilitate learning for every type of student by providing as many options and tools for learning as possible. This allows the students a variety of choices in which to become active learners and to take responsibility for their learning. To assist students in discovering their learning potential, while considering students learn in different ways, a variety of teaching styles, tools, and resources should be made available. Some of these include collaborative group activities, active participation, modeling, creative presentation of the material, or an 'online' component. Employing a variety of teaching styles by providing a multitude of resources and keeping the students engaged in the classroom, and outside of the classroom as well as helping students become partners in learning.

I truly believe in Valencia's big idea: "Anyone can learn anything, given the proper conditions". It is important to provide an equitable classroom environment where all students can succeed.

Professional Development

I have maintained my Associate Faculty certification since the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. Additionally, I earned Digital Professor certification in 2015. The Active Learning certification was earned in 2019. Credentialed to mentor for the Service Learning program in 2021

Research Background

Details of my research and/or list of publications can be found at the following websites:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-m-sims-36925912
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qNMwB1cAAAAJ&hl=en

Hobbies

I am dedicated to health and fitness so I regularly use the East Campus Fitness Center, mountain biking, and "running" (more like a jog). I also enjoy camping, boating, and racing.



Contact

West Campus
HSB 138 B
Phone: 407-582-1007
lsims3@valenciacollege.edu

Hours

Spring 2024 Student Engagement Hours:

Monday 8:00-10:00 am (HSB138B)
Tuesday 7:00 - 9:00 am, (HSB138B), 2:00 - 2:30 pm (AHS317), 8:15-8:45 pm (AHS318)
Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00 pm via Zoom (https://valenciacollege.zoom.us/j/4075821007 )
Thursday 7:00 - 9:00 am (HSB138B), 2:00 - 2:30 pm (HSB107), 8:15-8:45 pm (HSB138B)
Friday 8:00 - 9:00 am via Zoom (https://valenciacollege.zoom.us/j/4075821007 )


If you need to meet outside of these times, feel free to contact me. We can find a day and time that works for both of us.