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Jamie Sarafan
Historian • Writer • Educator

Teaching

Approach

History, at its best, teaches us how to think—it teaches us how to sit with complexity, interrogate evidence, and construct arguments that hold up under pressure. My classroom is built around this belief. Through close readings of primary sources, in-class discussions, and structured writing assignments, students learn to move beyond surface-level answers and develop transferable analytical skills. I aim to challenge my students to solve problems creatively, make interdisciplinary connections, develop critical thinking skills, and, above all, cultivate deep compassion and intellectual curiosity through the study of history.

Selected courses

  • World Mythology (Instructor of Record)
    Front Range Community College • Westminster, CO
    Spring 2022
  • The Religious Dimensions of Human Experience (Teaching Assistant)
    University of Colorado Boulder • Boulder, CO
    Fall 2019 and 2020
  • Indigenous Religious Traditions (Teaching Assistant)
    University of Colorado Boulder • Boulder, CO
    Spring 2020
  • Religions in the United States (Teaching Assistant)
    University of Colorado Boulder • Boulder, CO
    Fall 2018

Selected awards

  • The Best Should Teach Silver Award
    University of Colorado Boulder • Boulder, CO
    September 2019

Selected student feedback

  • I would have to say that Jamie is one of the best TA's I have had. She not only encourages us to share our perspectives but enlightens the class with her own. Everything she did was effective… She was always there for me when I needed someone to reach out to.
  • Jamie is such a wonderful teacher who is clearly passionate about the concepts she teaches. She always brought the most positive energy into the classroom, both in person and virtually.
  • I really enjoyed this recitation with Jamie. She encouraged everyone to contribute but didn't force people to if they didn't want to… Jamie created a very comfortable environment for students to interact in.
  • …[Jamie] genuinely connects with her students and tries to bring the material in a new way so even when we are confused in class she breaks the material down to an easy way of learning. Very active and involved with her class.
  • I really enjoyed your recitation. It was apparent that you cared deeply about this topic and it made me care too.
  • Jamie is one of the better TA's I've had during my time at CU Boulder. She is engaging, always has activities planned for recitation, and is readily available for help at any time. Jamie's recitation is crucial to my understanding of course material, and she does an excellent job of keeping students excited about the material.