Teacher Profile: Kiley Pulliam

Kiley Pulliam constantly searches for ways to create a vibrant learning environment - whether that be designing a new STEM-based class, finding ways to make students feel special, or applying for grants to make these innovations possible. 
 

With a focus on teaching physics, Pulliam - who notes this is her √30.25 th year at Loyola - also teaches robotics, introduction to drone piloting, and principles of 3D printing. 
 

“I actually taught physics here at Loyola in Spring 2004 before going to graduate school,” said Pulliam. “It was an enjoyable experience, so when I moved back, I looked into open positions and found that Algebra II was open at that time. I enjoy that part of my job is to continually learn and improve myself for the benefit of students. I have learned so many things I never thought I’d encounter. It’s a win-win.”

Her passion for her students is evident. From throwing seasonal parties to “knighting” students for their accomplishments, Pulliam wants to make sure those in her class enjoy being at school. 
 

“I am passionate about the students. They will be handed a very uncertain world but until then I want them to enjoy being kids,” she said. “I give out way too much candy, and I sometimes show up in costume. Learning happens during all these things, but it is important to me that students feel a little lighter after my class.”
 

Her teaching style was formed by her time working for the Princeton Review - a philosophy that teaching is better when done as a performance.
 

“This even included a policy of using multiple color markers in your board work, all to capture your attention and make you want to learn,” she said. “I have since taken the performance part more literally. While not every class is a grand performance, the year is punctuated with them: Math Madness, Mardi Gras, Space Day, Black History Month, Amongst Y’all.” 
 

She also makes it a point to introduce her students to a variety of technology modalities, something she noted is “no longer simply a tool to demonstrate science principles in the classroom, but an essential endeavor to train students for the technology-heavy career demands of the future.”
 

That is one of the reasons she decided to apply for a grant from the Ark-La-Tex chapter of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA). This past Spring, she was one of two Loyola faculty members to receive the grant funding. Pulliam used the grant to start a 3D printing program for teaching purposes and to provide the school and community with printed items. 
 

She has exciting plans for both her 3D printing class students—printing a drone and hosting a fashion show—and those not taking the course. 
 

“I’d like to see if students take an interest in the machine as it is in my classroom and see if they have any interesting ideas to try,” said Pulliam. “Of course I have ideas, but this is a unique opportunity to watch students interact with something most have never even seen in person and see how creative they can be with their ideas!”
 

Pulliam’s enthusiasm for teaching is almost contagious, but for her, it is seeing that same excitement come to life in her students that inspires her each day. 
 

“That enthusiasm from students interested in really finding out why something is the way it is, is one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching science.”